Moving Day

Yesterday was the first day in the new center...Oh wait, i guess I forgot to mention that they got the property...I didnt want to speak too soon, but Geoffrey went to Uganda last week and worked everything out with the landlord.
Yesterday morning we got a text from Geoffrey saying that if we wanted to come to Oasis we would have to come to the new center!





As soon as we walked in and saw the students in the new classrooms we cried. It made me so happy to see the kids get to enjoy the new center. They deserve to have such a wonderful place and we were so happy to get to see them there before we left.

Class 1 Classroom




I just couldnt get it together. Especially when I saw the older boys in class. It made me so happy because I felt that these boys had more hope than ever. I was worried that soon they might stop coming to Oasis because they are too old to go to primary school. Their only hope was vocational training, which on its own is too expensive, but now that Oasis has the new center, part of it is planned to be used for vocational training.
Class 5

Hakuna Posta

I havent been able to post all that much since the team has been here. We've been super busy running all over Kitale. We've done a lot of fun things, which I will post about in the next couple of days as the heads out of town. Trust theres some great pictures

Street Kid Washing Day

Among other things that happened today that I will post about later, there was a street washing at Purpose Driven Church. Street kids and moms could come and have lunch, see a doctor, and take their first bath in weeks.


How do you make Ugali for hundreds of people? Like this...


The first group to come and eat







Mama


Freda's mobile medical clinic right before it became packed with people


Some of the older boys waiting to get in, plus a random puppy I was given at the last minute. I was so excited, P.I.G., Eato, and Anthony from Oasis showed up.


After they ate, those who wanted a bath were taken outside and bathed.
Washing the street kids




Purpose Driven students in the front, street kids outside the gate


Etao and P.I.G.


Etao and Shaban


Some older street guys, I cant really call them boys.


Shaban and Etao. Shaban and Etao used to know each other from the streets. Shaban is now the prefect for class 7.



Simon even showed up. He left Fredas earlier this week after being told not to, just one of many times...


It was sheer craziness, but I thought it was a great day and I loved that people could come to one place and eat, get medical attention, and be bathed if they wanted to.

Pokot

Yesterday we went to an area of Kenya called Pokot. Its about 2 hours away from Kitale, on your way to Turkana. We went to visit a school and a church out there, as well as have Freda provide her medical services



This is Pokot...



This is Hannah from Rwanda, she and her brother are staying with us for the next month or so.


Katie and her daughter Abbey led the kids in some dancing


Steve thought he was so clever hiding the ball in his shirt, I thought it was just an infection...


After Steve talked and Katies dancing we went down to a field to play some games before Freda had her clinic





Races






Freda's Staff


The giant tree where Freda's clinic was held


The de-worming line



Jaime got timely marriage advice from Freed's during the clinic, eventhough hes not married yet...



Then we visited a church down the road where they met outside. It was a really beautiful setting...except for when I had an allergic reaction to a bug that bit my ass in the middle of the service







Pokot mamas

Elia

Anyone know how I can bring this kid home? His laugh is the best.
Taken in Freda's car at the mobile medical clinic today...
Theres video too, I just cant upload it because our internet is too slow...

"About Today"

10 points to Gryffindor if you caught that National reference...On to business...

Today was spent at the Oasis Center. I just kept thinking over and over again about the kids and the possibility of Oasis getting the opportunity to move to the property we visited yesterday. The more I think about it the more I pray that it will happen.
Of course Im slightly biased because I know and love these kids so much, but at the same time I feel theres no group that deserves it more.

They come to the center everyday. Some from an hour's walk away. They work hard in class and they play hard outside. These kids have added so many unbelievable things to my life, Im afraid Ill feel empty when I go home.

I wont be able to sit and watch P.I.G., Anderson, Etao, Collins, and the rest of the older boys play soccer.
There will be no little Brendas who will come braid my hair with her tiny, dirty little hands.
James wont walk up to me and hand me a picture he's drawn in art class.
No one will understand me when I say "Na ku piga" or "Enda Kipsongo"
No more "gotas" from boney little knuckles.
I wont have to try and figure out what everyone is saying because they'll all be speaking English. (This is both fun and frustrating).


Current Oasis Center


These kids come with nothing tangible to give other than themselves, but Im always fulfilled when Im around them. There's no place I'd rather be than with them. How is it possible to feel so filled with so much when they've done nothing but mile at me?

I want these kids to have this center so bad my heart aches and I tear up thinking about the possibilities they would have in that new center. I know Allison, Steve, and I are not the only ones. I can only imagine what Lydia and Geoffrey are feeling.

Potential New Oasis Educational and Vocational Center


I'm praying and asking that this happens. I pray and ask that the landlord would come through with permission, as well as the funds from donors. Those are the 2 main obstacles that stand right now.
I know I asked for help when the house boys were robbed and Christmas came around, and those who know me know I don't feel comfortable asking for money. But this is something that I believe so much in for these kids. Lydia says the hardest thing when it comes to support is that there is not many long term commitments.

My departing wish is to see these kids get to move to the new center.
I feel that through our blogs you've gotten to know these kids and the faces and
I'm suggesting that if this is something that you think you might want to help at all with, get in touch with Lydia at oasisofhope@mac.com.

Thanks for all your support.