Glory Children’s Center – Kisii, Kenya
By Rebecca Clifford
Dear Spotlight on Orphans Readers,
Things have been difficult for Glory Center since their
move. For one thing, no one had any way of knowing that this
famine was brewing and they would be going into the midst of it.
You would think there would be enough for the government
agencies to deal with in caring for those who are starving with-
out their becoming overly concerned regarding children who are
actually being cared for. Apparently, however, the fact that Pas-
tor Moses Nyamora has an orphanage puts him on a higher
plane, and expectations are greater than for the rest of the popu-
lation. Currently the government officials are having a problem
with the fact that they have no separate kitchen, or dining room,
where they are living. They were told that if they have money
they could build something temporary. However, it is very ap-
parent that they need their own place, and the sooner we can pro-
vide it for them, the better.
Three of the children were hospitalized with malaria symp-
toms, the estimated cause—too much stress. The orphanage has
been threatened with the fact that they will need to move, then
they will be told that moving will not be neces-
sary; one day they will have seven days to leave,
the next, they won’t have to leave at all. This is
forcing Pastor Moses, as well as the rest of the
staff and the children, to live with no security as to
if they will be able to stay or if they will have to
move. Moses wrote in a recent letter, “I don’t
know why the devil is troubling us like this, but
this proves to me that we belong to God and now
the world will not like us because we have a differ-
ent spirit. We don’t belong to this world but we
belong to our beloved Father who dwells in
heaven. Our Father will never leave us to suffer.
He will protect us and give us a clear direction.”
Because of these recent events, coupled with the
fact that the size of the dwelling is inadequate for so
many children, we believe the time has come for us
to get serious about building a permanent orphanage
for Glory Center. These children have already suffered so much
disruption and grief in their few years that we realize we must pro-
videthem with a stable and secure home if they are to flourish. Pas-
tor Moses, Priscaand our other volunteers aregiving them the love,
physical care and guidance they need. The challenge to our minis-
try is to do what those in Kenya cannot: build them a home! Our
dream is to build with an eye towards future admissions since we
are at capacity for Hope Center. We need to be in a position to pro-
vide care for more of the suffering orphans who are looking to us
for a chance at life. We are placing this need in the hands of God,
just as we did with Hope Center. We pray that you will work and
pray with us in the months ahead to realize this goal.
The famine is still raging in Africa, and in its wake it is cre-
ating more and more orphans. Moses said, “People here are dy-
ing because of starvation. Many children are dying, and the aged
people, because of the great famine that is here. At our new
home we are experiencing something which is not normal. Chil-
dren are knocking at our gate all the time needing food. We are
wondering what is happening. We are very new to this place,
and these small children, we cannot chase them away without
giving them something small to eat. One person stayed over-
night at the gate because he had nothing to eat. I went to look at
him when the children called me to tell me that there is some-
body at the gate who seems like he’s dying. When I went there
the man was very tired and unable to talk, but when I tried to talk
to him he said that he smelled food and decided to beg just for a
piece of ugali to make him survive.” He continues, “I am re-
questing that if there will be a way to help these people, espe-
cially these children, as most of these children who are coming
to our gate are orphans whose parents died because of AIDS.
Our new place, there are so manyorphans whowere left. Almost
every family there are orphans because of AIDS. I have seen the
situation that I have never seen it this bad before.” This is a seri-
ous situation needing our prayers andsupport.” As we explained
in our last issue, both Glory Center and Hope Center have insti-
tuted a famine relief, feeding those who walk to the Centers as
well as distributing grain to the hungry of the area.
On a positive note, the need for a water tank has been met and
they now can store water. They are also trying to use this to help
some of the local people by giving them drinking
water. They are still in need of purchasing another
water tank and more water, but God will provide.
They have vaccinated all of the children against
malaria and they have also purchased grain and
beans, which are in storage. They now have
twenty-eight children in upper primary school,
nine in secondary school, and the rest are being
schooled in their own home school. The school
fees for all of the children have also been paid.
Pastor Moses has informed us of the arrival of
several packages for the children at Glory Center
that he picked up on a recent trip to Nairobi to re-
trieve mail and administer aid to the refugees. We
will be informing sponsors soon as to the status of
their packages.
This month’s spotlighted orphan is Verinica
Njeri. Verinica is seventeen years old and was
brought to the Center by her mother who is an HIV/AIDS vic-
tim. Her mother was no longer able to care for her because of her
bad health, so she requested that the orphanage take her daugh-
ter in so she could have a better life than she could offer.
Verinica’s father also died several years back, and the orphan-
age has not heard fromVerinica’s mother or any of her relatives,
to know whether or not her mother is still living. Please pray that
someone’s heart is touched to help this girl.
Things have been going a little rough for the orphanage
lately and Moses may sometimes, like David, cry to the Lord
and say, “How are they increased that trouble me! manyare they
that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul,
There is no help for him in God” Yet we know he can also say
with David, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory,
and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my
voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.” Psalm 3:1-4.
?
-4-
Verinica Njeri
