Our Kenyan Family

We met two very special boys on the hill. Although our kids have written them letters and sent them pictures, we had not met them face to face. Ronn's dad sponsors Oloinguari and Lekuta, twin brothers. Since Ronn's dad has not been able to make a trip out to Kenya, we were treated as the unofficial sponsors which meant that we had special time with the boys every day we were on the hill. This time included giving them gifts of clothing, which many of you donated (thank you!). We also gave them a new American sweet to try every day: Skittles, Bottle Caps, Reeses Pieces, Sour Patch Kids. I don't think there was anything they didn't like! Although the boys were extremely shy, they couldn't hide their big smiles when the candy came out of the special bags where the gifts were placed daily.

We also had an activity planned with them daily. A game, a puzzle, or a craft that we could do together. But the biggest hit was the rocket balloons. Not only did Oloinguari and Lekuta love it, so did the rest of the kids!

Oloinguari and Lekuta's sister Susan with Hannah

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Oloinguari and Lekuta's guardians' home. Their oldest brother Duncan (23) along with cousins and grandparents welcomed us into their home, gave us a meal of chicken, rice, chipote and chai, and visited with all of us. They were so kind and very thankful for the help our family had given theirs by investing in their boys' lives and futures. The boys' dad had been killed by thieves and their mom died of disease when they were very young. The family simply couldn't provide for all eight of the children left behind. The four youngest siblings now make their home on the hill. It was impacting to see where the boys came from and how the family still loved them.