A vist with an amazing man

Our friends Elder and Sister Barnes invited the Senior Couples over to their apartment to meet an amazing man from Kenya and see his beautiful woodcarvings.

He had set up a beautiful display of his work but the best part of the night was hearing his story.

MEET STEVEN KYALO

Not only is he a woodcarver but he is

 a Savior to over 80 Street Children from the Slums of Nairobi.

After we took a few moments to admire some of Steven's beautiful wood carvings we sat down to hear his story. 

 His parents separated when he was 5 years old and he was raised by his grandmother in his uncles home along with 12 other children. Steven joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his early 20's and served a 2 year mission. When he returned home from his mission his brothers wife died leaving behind a 2 week-old baby and a 3 year-old. Steven was concerned that his brother would not be able to care for the children so he took them in. He later married his wife and they had two of their own children.

Steven explained that he began to notice the hungry children on the streets of Nairobi and could not turn his back on them. He began bringing the street children to his home to offer them something to eat. It wasn't long before they were living with he and his wife. Steven soon realized he would have to have a bigger place for the children to stay. Today Steven has an orphanage in the Soweto Slum of Nairobi, Kenya.  They have served over 100 children with extreme basics for 12 years never asking for help  with over 80 children.

  Steven uses the proceeds from the sell of his wood carvings to support the orphanage. So blessed to have met this amazing man and to learn that Steven and his children are well known by the Senior Missionaries who are currently serving and have served in Kenya. We hope to be able to visit Steven and his children when we travel to Kenya. Click on the link below to learn more about United in the Hope of Africa.

Tembisa Tots- Bulamahlo Orphange

A few weeks ago we joined our friends Elder and Sister Barnes as they visited Tembisa Orphanage.

Elder Barnes pulled into the small compound behind a metal gate and as soon as we opened the van doors we were greeted with happy, smiling faces. Once we stepped out of the van little arms quickly clutched on to our legs. What a greeting. Elder Barnes got out of the van and began handing our apples to the sweet little faces. It was so touching. Small children would bring tiny tots to Elder Barnes to point out that they too needed an apple. As soon as I climbed out of the van I noticed a little toddler who was crying. I scooped him up and he quieted and just snuggled into my arms. I found a place to sit and soon 2 or 3 more children climbed into my lap.

I was touched by this little guy who was probably 5 or 6 years old who just wanted to be held. Other children tried to join him but he would not have any part of it. . He was not interested in the boys who were running back and forth screeching with laughter, or Elder Kinghorn and Elder Barnes who were playing with some of the children nearby. Sister Barnes was sitting on a stoop a few feet away with a little girl who had  practically jumped into her arms the moment she got out of the car. As I sat there watching the children play and I felt his little arm clutching my back, I found myself wondering how did you end up here with Mama? Where is YOUR mama?

 My mind flashed to another visit with abandoned children in a Ukrainian Orphanage. I remembered the day that I walked  into a room filled with tiny beds with sweet little faces beaming with excitement to see us.  I walked from bed to bed and knelt down to gently touch each child. I whispered words they could not understand. I gently placed my hand in the hand of each little child.

I am haunted by memories of the child that took my hand and slowly brought it hand to his nose and took in the fresh smell of lotion that remained on my skin after my morning shower. He then  brought my hand to his face and gently rubbed it against his cheek. No words were spoken but there was a magical moment when my eyes met his. When my touch conveyed not my deep love for him. I remember as we left the old brick building that day I was filled with a knowledge that the Savior knows each one of those children. My heart was comforted as I realized that his love was infinite and he will not forsake us.

 I know that he knows this sweet little boy who touched my heart that morning as I sat on a step at the Tembisa Orphanage. I don't know if his mother knows where her boy is, but I do know that the Savior knows.

                           

HERITAGE DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

24 SEPTEMBER IS HERITAGE DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

"ON THIS DAY, SOUTH AFRICANS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM ARE ENCOURAGED TO CELEBRATE THEIR CULTURE AND DIVERSITY OF THEIR BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS, IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF A NATION THAT BELONGS TO ALL PEOPLE."

 

                                                                                          Wikpedia

 

 

 

 

 

WE WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE SOUTHAFRICAS WHO WORK IN OUR OFFICE AS THEY CELEBRATED HERRITAGE DAY AT A LUNCHEON HELD IN THE AREA OFFICE. 

IT WAS A VERY HAPPY DAY! MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES CAME DRESSED IN THE TRADITIONAL CLOTHING OF THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY

I love this beautiful face painting

THE COLORS WERE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL

SMILES ALL AROUND

This is Flora, she cleans our office. Flora always greets me with a warm smile. She told me her mother made this beautiful outfit

Dominic was one of the few men who dressed for the occasion. He always has a big, beautiful smile.



THEN WE WENT TO ORANGE FARM AND THE WOMEN AT CHURCH WERE DRESSED IN BEAUTIFUL, COLORFUL CLOTHING AS WELL

WE STAYED AFTER CHURCH AND HAD A PHOTOGRAPH SESSION WITH ALL THESE LOVELY LADIES