EastKenyaMissions.com

The Passion for Orphanage Ministry

In 2008 when went to Malindi for a six week trip, I was not really sure how God was going to use me to work with the children, but I knew that is what I would be doing. I started right away helping Kenya with the childrens S.S. class and I tried to spend as much time as possible with all the children God had already brought to the church there in Malindi.

One Sunday afternoon we decided to go to the beach for a little relaxation. We had a great time playing in the water and just enjoying Gods handiwork. We were wrapping things up and dragging the kids out of the water, when a Kenyan man and a group of children showed up. The kids immediately caught our attention. Ok maybe the kids just immediately got my attention, I’m not sure. James started talking to this gentleman and found out that he and the children were from a local orphanage. He and James talked for a while and he asked James if we would be interested in coming to the orphanage and teaching a childrens Bible study. Of course James told him we would love to come by and check things out and see if God would lead us in that direction.

Scott and I took a TUK TUK to the Rainbow Childrens Home. (That is a totally different story!) I had never been to an orphanage before so I really had no idea what to expect. When we arrived, I was a little taken back because I could not see or hear any children. We met the same man that we had seen at the beach, so we knew we were in the right place. He took us to meet the lady who ran this orphanage, a British lady, Mama Dee as she was called by the Kenyans. She shared with us how she came to start the orphanage. In Kenya the culture does not accept disabled individuals. The witch doctors tell parents of disabled or handicapped babies that the reason their child was born this way was because they have an evil spirit, and then they encourage the parents to get rid of these babies. A lot of babies are killed, thrown away or just left to die. Mama Dee was made aware of a baby boy who was born with severe disabilities, she asked the parents to give her the baby. To make a long story short, she raised this baby until he was about three years old and he passed away. Mama Dee became known for taking and caring for these babies and from that, she started finding babies and children, literally, left on her door step. From this she started this orphanage.

Already I was moved with so much compassion, and I still had not even seen or heard a single child. Finally, we were taken to the area where the children were. There were about thirty kids gathered together in a common area watching a movie. We stood and watched them for a few minutes, with our “tour guide” giving us all the typical facts about the kids. A worker came out of a small room off to the side with a new born in her arms. Without even asking me she placed this tiny baby in my arms and smiled. Oh did she ever know what she was doing! I am not really sure of anything else that our guide was saying, all I could focus on was that tiny life I was holding in my arms! Her name was Molly and she was born with her arms and legs curled up and twisted like nothing I had ever seen. I had an instant connection with this baby and I knew right then where God was going to use me.

Change of Plans

When we were not able to go to Kenya I still knew that God wanted me to work with children. He had always used me to do Children’s ministry no matter where we were. I jumped straight into teaching Sunday School and Children’s church, even became the children’s church coordinator. I also was blessed with the opportunity to be involved with the Daycare and preschool ministry. I became the Assistant Director and quickly found myself working a fulltime job as Personnel Director and Curriculum specialist as well. It was a hard two years, but rewarding in that I was helping get things organized and running efficiently.

Going Back

When the Lord began opening the doors for us to return to Kenya, I finally was allowed to let that passion for those children resurface. There are times that I can still feel and hear and smell that baby in my arms. My arms literally ache to hold her and many others like her again. I can still see the smiling face of that little girl with Down’s Syndrome who held my hand and smiled up at me as she hugged me goodbye with tears in her eyes. I desperately long to whisper in her ear that she is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God!