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| Visit to Happy Life - July 2016 |
It was another great trip to Happy Life Children's Home in Nairobi, Kenya! I traveled solo this year, and after arriving in Kenya, joined my friend Julie and an amazing team of 6 other women from Texas. We had a wonderful time serving together and loving on all the precious children at Happy Life!
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| Our Team Jeanette, Emily, Schelley, Julie Lindsay, Cindi, Cheryl, Cindy |
It was such a blessing to return and see friends and familiar faces from last year, and also meet new friends and all the precious children that have joined the Happy Life family over the past year!
One of the highlights of this trip was seeing little Eric, the abandoned baby we helped pick up from the hospital and bring to Happy Life last year. He's happy and thriving, and is such a sweet-natured little guy!
I was so thrilled to hear the news since returning home that Eric was adopted into a forever family this month!
I was so thrilled to hear the news since returning home that Eric was adopted into a forever family this month!
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| Picking up baby Eric from the hospital last year |
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| Little Eric |
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| Holding little Eric again during this visit |
There were 24 precious new babies in the infant nursery this year, and I treasured every opportunity to hold, feed, and love on each one of them...even at the 5am feedings!
It was such a joy and privilege to work alongside the wonderful Kenyan Mothers who lovingly take care of all the babies for 12-hour shifts, and also the older Happy Life children who assist the mothers each day and the other volunteers that come to help out from the local University, and from all around the world.
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| Julie and Mother Margaret |
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| Mother Jane |
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| Mother Ann |
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| Me, Emily, and big sister Leah helping with feeding time |
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| Big brother Freddy helping out with the babies |
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| Volunteers from Iceland |
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| Volunteers from the local University |
Our team was able to bless Happy Life again this year by bringing extra suitcases full of clothing, shoes, diapers, wipes, school supplies, musical instruments and more....thanks to all the generous donations from our supporters and the Missions Department at Woodlands Church! We also purchased nursery supplies while in Kenya, along with a new refrigerator, water filters, a copy machine, paint and other items for the school with the many generous cash donations we received!!
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| This year's Donations |
One of the greatest joys of this trip was seeing sweet little Gideon again, the precious little guy that captured my heart last year. He is getting weekly physical therapy and being treated for a heart condition and the malnutrition he came to Happy Life with...and is now growing and thriving! We had a sweet time together...and also had fun taking some selfies.
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| Little Gideon |
We visited Happy Life's Juja Farm Center School again this year, and had a great time playing with the children, watching a presentation they put on for us, and celebrating one of the staff's birthday with the children.
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| Children's Presentation |
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| Enjoying time with the children |
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| Celebrating Pastor Peter's Birthday |
Two women from our team, who have a background in education, had a special time staying at the Juja Farm Center School to help teach classes for a couple days .
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| Cheryl with her Happy Life class |
It was exciting to watch construction of the new Medical Center that is currently in progress onsite at Happy Life! The Jesse Kay Medical Center is projected to be completed late next year, and will serve the children at Happy Life and also the local community of Roysambu.
We enjoyed visiting with Happy Life's Kenyan Directors, Bishop Peter and Faith Ndnugu again this year, and attending one of their dynamic Kenyan worship services at Overcoming Faith Church. We also had the pleasure of meeting Happy Life's U.S. Directors, Pastor Jim and Sharon Powell, while they were in Kenya on one of their annual visits to Happy Life.
It was a special treat having the opportunity to spend time with these two wonderful couples and co-founders of Happy Life Children's Home, and getting to know their beautiful hearts and dedication to Happy Life and the orphaned children of Nairobi!
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| Saying farewell to Pastor Jim & Sharon Powell and Bishop Peter & Faith Ndnugu |
I am so thankful to everyone that partnered with me and helped make this trip possible, and look forward to returning to serve with this wonderful organization again next year!!
"PROVIDING THE ABANDONED CHILDREN OF KENYA
A HOME AND A HOPE FOR ADOPTION"
To learn more about Happy Life Children's Home, visit their website at: happylifechildrenshome.com or visit happylifekenya.blogspot.com for news and updates.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future"
~Jeremiah 29:11~
