And the Kiprop Family Grows Again

William and Moses in front of our Home

William recently returned from a special mission to Northern Kenya to help with a famine relief outreach.  You have likely seen in the news that the horn of Africa is currently undergoing a severe drought which has led to famine.  During William’s mission to the Lake Turkana region he met a struggling pastor with eight children.  His fourth-born, Moses, immediately latched on to William.  After spending some time with William’s team, Moses began to beg to go with William so that he could go back to school.  Do to the family’s current struggles to just survive, Moses had to leave school.  The last class he completed was Standard Two (second grade).  We think he is around 11 years old but we really aren’t certain of his age. His father came to William and asked if there was any possibility that William could take Moses home with him to offer him a better future. At that point William called me.  We both had a strong sensation that this is from the Lord.  

Moses in his home place of Turkana

William spent most of his growing-up years in an unofficial adoptive family.  It was the amazing care of that family that has shaped William into the incredible man he is today.  Before William and I were married he told me that it is in his heart to reach out to other struggling children just as his second family had reached out to him.  So we always knew that sooner or later we would be getting involved in the lives of children like Moses.  

William and Moses arrived home yesterday at 4:30 in the morning.  He is very energetic and outgoing.  I have a feeling he likes to be at the center of attention.  He is double jointed, has a great sense of rhythm and loves to dance.  He could not believe that music was coming out of baby Ryan's stuffed lion.  He just stared at it for about five minutes this morning.  He is terrified of our dogs; absolutely petrified.  And it probably doesn't help that one of them is named Kali (which means harsh!).  He refuses come close to them or let them smell him.  And when William and I have tried to walk him over to them he grabs our arms and tries to hide behind us.  So I'm going to just leave it alone for now.  He may need to just be escorted around the yard until he gets comfortable with them.

He has a big smile and an air of confidence for such a little guy.  He does understand and speak a little English.  I have a feeling he understands more than William first realized, and I think he will pick it up quickly.  Yesterday he was pointing at things and telling me their English names.   The first time I saw that confidence crack was when I put him to bed last night.  As I tucked him in he looked so small and insecure.  He ducked his head under the covers as I prayed with him.  Today when I came home from the clinic for lunch he came running up to greet me.

In Our Yard

His situation has reminded me of stories I have heard about families giving out their children during the great depression because they were unable to care for them.  I can’t imagine being so desperate for my child to get food and education that I would be willing to send him with strangers.  But that is exactly what happened to Moses.  

It is our hope to enroll Moses in ELI’s private school.  They have just completed the school–year and will open school again in January.  We would appreciate your prayers for this special little boy as he adjusts to new people in a new environment.  If you would like to partner with us in financially helping to support Moses to go to school please let me know.  We are unsure of how long he will be with us.  But we do know that we want to do everything in our ability to help him pursue his education until his family is in a position where they are able to provide for him again.