Monday, June 6th

Over the next two weeks, we will have almost everyone on our team post on this blog. There are individuals and families that will post each night we are here so that you can hear from a lot of different perspectives. Tonight we start the rotation! We hope you enjoy!

Katherine Ward :)

After a refreshing but short night we woke up to an awesome breakfast provided by the staff here at Heart Lodge! We then headed to the ABC Orphanage which partners with Feed The Children. The staff at the ABC Orphanage gave us a tour of the orphanage. This part of the day was difficult for me. For several years, I feel that God wants me to adopt when I'm married. Seeing these beautiful and happy children moved me so much.

We weren't allowed to pick the children up, but we were allowed to play with them. When we entered a room for toddlers I went over to a boy, Moses, who couldn't be much older than a year. Moses was separate from the rest of the children. He immediately wanted me to hold him and he hugged my knees and held my hands the entire time. Oh my goodness, my heart felt so much for this beautiful little boy. We were there for only about 10 minutes, but I will never forget him. I teared up as I left because I felt like I already loved him so much. Seeing these children made me appreciate the family God has so graciously blessed me with!

After touring the Orphanage, we toured the Feed The Children facility and storehouse. I was amazed at how much work goes into their organization! They put so much effort and time into serving others, something I'm still learning to put into action and not just in words. I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for the team and I during the next 2 weeks!

Well, I'll let Julie take over now. I could write so much more but I'm tired and I want sleep. Haha

<3 Julie Jackson

Jambo! That's hello in Swahili, in-case you didn't know :) After waking up this morning, the Heart House made the team and I a satisfyingly delicious breakfast that included foods like bacon and bread filled with chocolate, not a croissant, but close.

At 9:15, we left for the ABC orphanage. It was emotional to leave the children because they had no family. You just wanted to stick them in your pocket and take them all home, but sadly we had to wave goodbye for the first and last time. When we left the orphanage, we drove to a school that was associated with Feed the Children and located in the slums. Not only was it hard to just drive through the area, but to quickly say hello and goodbye to the kids we fed at the school was even harder.

Leaving that area, we drove a bumpy 45 minutes to an hour. Although, if it weren't bumpy, I wouldn't feel like we were in Kenya, so it was cool! This road led us to Focus, where we met all the adorable kids that are involved with Project Lucas. I don't even know how to explain how amazing these kids were. They were amused by the littlest things such as a clap or a tire. Not only were they grateful, but they were so loving. They would run up to you and give you hug, even if you didn't know them.

At the end of the day, we sadly had to give our goodbye high-fives and knuckle-touches to the children. Thankfully, it wasn't our last goodbye! We get to work with them for the next two weeks! :D Well, considering i have been writing this blog too long and Jameson is kicking me off... I should go! Have fun in the states! We will get back to you tomorrow!