As we drive down the long dusty dirt road, the excitement within me intensifies the further down the road we drive and the closer we get to arriving at our destination. Thus far I have only heard of the land and have yet to experience it for myself with my own eyes. As we turn the corner, Joe says “Are you ready?” and I know it’s about to be shown to me. The first thing I see is the guard’s tower, standing tall, strong and protective. We have arrived!

Being involved with this orphanage for the last year 18 months, I have seen the photos of ground breaking, the foundation being laid down, the walls going up. None of these photos prepared me for the specter of seeing it all first hand.

Before continuing, there is something to be said for these workers. The way they work is extraordinary - most of it very hard physical labor, and always with smiles. It is good to know our project is helping support the local workers who are desperate for and deserving of the work.

My eyes first take in the huge front section of the orphanage. As we walk around the various rooms, Joe gives a running commentary of what each (currently empty) room will house. I can just imagine the library with the window view into the green countryside.

The mess hall is large enough to accommodate 40 children. One day over the main door into this room, there will be a fabulous painting or inspiring quotation – the space is just perfect to show case something grand and meaningful for the children to view every day.

Next stop; up the staircase to the second floor. Yes there is actually a second floor now and this will house the volunteers who will want to come to stay at The Lords House of Hope. The two rooms will allow for 2-4 volunteers at a time.

Continuing the tour in the orphanage, we arrive at the second building, where there are the bedrooms for the staff and children. The girls will be on the 2^nd floor and the boys on the bottom level. I think the girls have the better deal in this situation – from the top floor you can see so far down the green rolling hills. I know so much inspirations and creativity will be born to these children just by looking out the window and seeing the gorgeousness that surrounds them every day.

My favorite part of the entire orphanage is the second story balcony which overlooks a river (it’s down there somewhere). The scripture comes to mind, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10). It is here that I close my eyes and think of what this orphanage will be like when it’s completed and the children are moved in. It is here that I conjure up all the dreams in my head of children feeling loved and supported and living in a place so far removed from the dirt, hustle and bustle and poverty that is Kibera.

Written by Kristy Anderson (02^nd January 2011).

Singles and the City Charity Auction

Singles and the City hosts social events in London while at the same time raising money for charity. On Saturday October 9th, The organization hosted a bachelor/bachelorette auction to raise money for the House of Hope. Special thanks to Kristy Anderson and her wonderful crew for putting on a fantastic event!

The evening event was video documented by Newspepper.... please check out the link below!

http://vimeo.com/15710603

New Construction Photos!

A special "asante" to Karen Kranenburg who sent these recent photos of the Lord's House of Hope construction! It's so exciting to see how things are moving forward and really taking shape. Karen will be in Kenya for quite some time and will be helpful in extending the project by fundraising to purchase the land next to our plot.

A big Thank You goes out to everyone who attended Rock The Cause at The Double Door last Thursday. Following two great performances from It Is What It Is and 28 Mansions, we managed to raise close to $2,500 to help complete construction of the House of Hope orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya.

Along with your donations, many of you expressed interest in taking a trip to Kenya to volunteer at the orphanage once it's completed. Although there's no guarantees in Africa, i'm hoping that the House of Hope will be fully staffed an filled with kids by the end of summer 2010. So if you are interested and beginning to plan vacations and short-term leaves for the upcoming year, plan to head to Nairobi sometime after July. Above all, however, please contact me directly regarding your interest so we can discuss the multitude of questions which I imagine you may have.

Special thanks goes out to David Selmer and Denise Andras for making the Chicago Fundraiser a success. I look forward to seeing everyone at our next Chicago fundraising event in the new year!

Construction Update - 27 October

Before leaving Kenya, Irene took me one final time to see how the construction is going. Friends Annie, Katie and Tami joined us, enjoy the photos!

Construction Photos!

*PHOTOS ARE NOW POSTED! ENJOY!
Now I was really excited to post photos for this post, because I know that there are many people back home who are interested in the status of Lord's House of Hope orphanage in Waithaka. Hopefully I'll be able to come back later and get some images uploaded in order to show you how wonderful everything is looking.
First of all, the land is just superb! Joe has told me all about it and I've seen photos but until I didn't fully appreciate its beauty until I was actually standing on it. The big trees and green hills are a far cry from Kibera or the IDP camps around Nakuru. What a wonderful environment in which to raise 40 kids!
The construction is really moving along and both Irene and I were thrilled to see how much has been done. I was able to walk out on the roof of the first floor and to really take it all in. The six men working on the project, employed from the Pipeline IDP camp, have been working extremely hard and were proud to show off what they've accomplished. It was such a wonderful moment - standing on the roof of the orphanage and looking out over all of the beautiful land on one side and the buildings that are beginning to take shape on the other. (Joe, I tried to call you to let you share in the moment but I got your voice mail.)
I've talked to Irene and we are going to organize a couple of days in the next couple of weeks for my friends from Chicago (and other volunteers if they're interested) to come and help with the manual labor. I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty (or dirtier, seeing as no hands that spend their days in Kibera can be considered clean) and leaving my mark on the building.
To Judy, Karen, Joe, David and all others who have given of themselves to this project: well done! I know that if you could see it now, it would leave a huge smile on your faces!