Even though life in the children’s home is a great improvement to how these children, all coming from very difficult circumstances and often in poor health and malnourished, have lived, there are many adjustments.  They must learn how to use a western toilet, not standing on it to squat, learn how to eat food in moderation without worrying if there will be another meal, and adjust to sleeping alone in a soft bed rather than on banana leaves, or if they were lucky, on a mat on the floor with multiple siblings. Life becomes much more than simply surviving. Electricity and running water are all new and very interesting.

A day in the children’s home is much like any American family, though with a few more kids. Shared meals, homework sessions, playtime, nightly bedtime routines and more offered with love and care make this home a dream come true for these children. Nightly singing, devotions and heartfelt prayers are a meaningful family time with the children taking turns sharing. This is always a highlight for visiting teams to join in as the children snuggle up with their new best friends. The children all pitch in for chores and sometimes help in the gardens as well. It is a beautiful thing to watch all these children grow together and build special bonds, the older helping watch over and care for the younger. When the older youth are away at boarding school for high school and later vocational or college training it is a time that several dedicated housemothers and I can give the little ones special attention. 

Major holidays, like Christmas, are always a blessing as those who have grown up return with their families to celebrate the holidays together. This makes for a quite large extended family and a very big party. Fortunately, everyone pitches in to make it a success.

With all this activity, we have a need to replace our family room seating that has gotten pretty broken and worn. If you would like to help us replace this furniture, we anticipate it to take approximately $3,000. Anything toward this amount would be greatly appreciated.

I am excited that the Lord has led some of you to provide the funds for a replacement car for the children’s home and me. It has been difficult not having one and I thank you for your generosity and care. God is always looking after us and we are so thankful for His love and provision through you all. We pray for you all to be blessed by God and that He will give you much more.

With lots of love,

Katherine