Double News

Hey Guys,

Firstly a huge thanks to all who were in anyway involved in the 'Ell is Staying in Africa' Fundraising event in October. It was such a blessing to see all of you there, Thank you so much!

Secondly after much evaluation, thought and prayer, i along with Open Arms have decided to make a few changes within my work schedule. I would like to be more involved in the children's (especially big boys) counselling program. Needing to be involved in this part of their lives, means that i need to take a step back from 'Neema House'. It sounds strange but in order to really help the boys i need to take a step back and a step into the counselling relm. I will probably now be more involved in their growing lives, however in a different role.

All though it is a change, there are seasons in life and we are moving into the next season, a season of growth, a season of development and a season for the better! It has been an amazing year in the house, with lessons and memories that will never be forgotten.

All this being said it has become apparent that it is a good time for a break. I have now spent two years at the OAI village, counselling, parenting and in outreach. All though it is great and to be honest i am not very good at resting, i have realised i need to take some time out. I am planning to be in the U.K until the beginning of January. Spending some time with my U.K family and friends.

I look forward to catching up with a lot of you whilst i prepare to go back to Kenya in the new season.

Thank you so so much for your continued support!

May Update!

Wow quick month, and i have a feeling next month will be quicker!

This month we have had journeys...

We've has new arrivals...

Smiley (Ishmael) is about seven years old and has been on our feeding program since it began, due to a change of circumstance Smiley is now happily housed out our village...

A picture when he first arrived...

Here is a picture of me and Smiley, three years ago at the feeding program...

There have also been strange sightings...

This month i decided to start sponsoring a child in another home 'Tumaini Children's Home'.
Here is his brief story which Phyllis, Director of Tumaini Children's home wrote about him,

'Brighton was abandoned at the hospital after a unsuccessful treatment for meningitis, it left him paralyzed with symptoms of Cerebral Palsy.  When we first met Brighton he had been in the hospital for over six months and was not quite 2.  His symptoms were very sever and he did not move anything but his head from side to side and his arms would lift a bit, he had no speech just low throat sounds.  He has a wonderful smile and that came with him.  Brighton came to live as part of our family here at Tumaini just a few weeks after we met him.  He has been part of our family for almost 3 years now.  God has been so good and we have seen miracles happen in his life.  Brighton now not only walks but loves to kick the ball around with his brothers and sisters, feeds himself, stands himself up from a siting position and many other things.  Brighton does fall and trip quite a bit so he wears a helmet to protect his head and his speech is coming but still does not talk much.

Brighton is a amazing little boy with the love of Jesus in his eyes!' 

The OAI Village seems to have gone fitness crazy with most of the volunteers and all of the House Parents doing there own regime's. The Dad's group does a three-five km run followed by weights and ab's. Here we are after our run...

Time flies by! And i have now started to organise my second fundraising dinner! It will be whilst i am next in the U.K. The dinner will be on Friday the 4th of October. It will be based at the Low Wood Bay Hotel again, i can promise you that it will be bigger and better than last time! I cannot tell you how much your support has been over the last year and cannot emphasise enough how much your sponsorship is needed now and in the coming year! Please get in contact to book your tables and or tickets now! The preparation for the event has all ready started on on both sides of the world...but just a sneak peak...

These are a few of the centre pieces, they are 'Masai Gourd' candle holders, they stand at about 1 foot to two feet high and i have had them custom made for the evening, and luckily for you they will be available for you to buy on the night! 

Something amazing that has happened this month, and this week in fact! Is that my PERMANENT VISA has been approved!!!! All though it is great, that it has been approved it is also a huge financial burden, which will have to be budgeted into my finances for next year! 

In other news, Boss loves to watch 101 Dalmatians...

Thanks so much for reading and please email asap regarding your tables and tickets for the fund raising event! 

Ell!

March and April Update!

The past two months have been months of growth...as you can see here from my oldest Victor (17) and Boss, the once puppy, he is only 4 moths old...

If you don't watch boss he really thinks he is one of the boys...

We have also had Samson, (Dave and Linda Munsie's Dog) staying for a few weeks! They are great friends but there are 3, 4/5 month old German Shepherd puppies running around the village!

The children have been involved in many chores while they have been off school during April. One of the many things they have been doing is helping at the Dairy/Poultry Farm. You might wanna scroll quickly if  you are squeamish..

Here is Abu (My youngest) with a before shot...

Here is Abigail with a 'during' shot, we laughed as Abigail was the only girl to slaughter and her biological brothers, Caleb and Victor, in my house refused to kill any, but i have made a 'if i do, you will' deal with Victor so next time i'll be adding chicken slaughterer to my resume!

...and Mercy with an after shot...judging by her face i don't think she has a future in the farming business!

I was complaining a while ago that i didn't have any where to put my flower nursery where the dogs could not get to them.. 2 minutes later...

 Very happy plants and even happier parent!!!

As well as growing flowers we have also started to grow plants in our own home shamba (vegetable patch!), so far we have carrots, viazi (potatoes), Dania (Coriander), Pilli Pilli (Chilli) as well as some others!

The boys have also had a few football matches while they have been off, i'm not gloating but they have won ALL of their matches!!!!

My dream team!

I pray that this has given you a slight taste of my kenyan family, love and life!

Ell!!!

Amos and Elisha!

 This is Amos!

And this is Elisha! I promise you these are two different children! They are just incredibly identical!

January and February Update!

Hey Everyone!!!

I hope everybody is doing great! Firstly sorry for missing my January update, but here is my news so far for 2013!


First things first! As you may or may not know, i have been in the process of applying for a more permanent visa, which means i can be in the country for up to a year at a time, i will still come home for regular visits, but it takes off the stress of having to leave Kenya for a few weeks, every 6 months! It has been a very long process but is now in the final stages thanks to some very lovely friends in Nairobi!

I was home for some of January and February! Oh my days it was so cold! My body had fully adjusted to warmer weather!

I arrived home to a very strange sight of the Kenyan flag flying high in the blizzard that was ensuing...

All though it was very cold, being a bit of a Nutter, i agreed to partake in the 'Chill Swim' relay team for English Lakes, i really don't know what we were thinking! The water was just above freezing at around 4 degrees celsius. But we did it, and we came third over all, and we only lost to an actual swimming team and a russian team who had come over specially to compete! 

We all wanted to fit on the podium!

All though it was very cold at times, the lake district is a very beautiful place!!! 

It was so great to meet some new people and catch up with some old friends too....

I'm now back in Eldoret and after re-adjusting back, i am so happy to be back, a lot can happen in three weeks one of them being that 'Boss' the Neema house puppy, growing, a lot!

The cats are still not impressed with Boss being around...

I seemed to have acquired a roommate while i was gone, he was very quickly evicted! 

It's been busy since i've been back! There was an athletics tournament where two of my boys qualified for the Regional level. Here is Danson in his three thousand metre race! 

Also Ezekiel and Isaac shaved all of the other boys heads one Saturday, around 40 boys and it took around three hours!

I did have a great time at home but i couldn't wait to get back to see faces just like this little guy!!! 

Thanks for reading, i hope you enjoyed, please keep praying for me as i am here! Especially for things like my Visa and the upcoming Kenyan election!

In 2008 over 1,000 people were killed and over 3,000 people were left homeless after the last election. Please pray that we are safe and more importantly that all the kids are safe!