First Impressions

So, I traveled here with my friend, Tom Stickney.  This is Tom's first trip back to Kenya since he and his family moved back to the US three months ago.  When I left him in Nairobi, he asked me to email him after my first day at the Virginia Home with my initial first impressions.  See, in my last post, I told you where we were, but only touched on how we got there.  While I was on the board of ACO, Tom and I dreamed BIG dreams of starting new children's homes, having a major non-profit organization take over the Virginia Home, etc.  The funny thing is that the "glass slipper" never seemed to fit on any of the "feet" we tried it on.  If you read my blog in the past, at times it may have sounded all over the place, one minute we were going to do this, then next minute we were going to do that.  Once the rest of the board decided get ACO's focus back to it's roots (University students and campus ministry), and I decided to focus solely on the Virginia Home, the glass slipper seemed to find the right foot!  So my husband and I committed to supporting and raising money solely for the children of Virginia for now.  A lot of people ask me, "Why Kenya?  There are plenty of needs right in your own neighborhood!"  I've never had the answer to that, until now.  It's not really Kenya, or Africa, it's people.  And these "people" happen to be the little faces we know in Kenya.  That's it.  Just that small group of people.  Tom and I still have dreams of children's homes, and now that we are both staying true to our focus, I'm hopeful those dreams will start to take shape and come true!  I digress...sorry.

Anyway, I do actually have some first impressions of where things stand at the Virginia Home:

1.  I'm fat.  If I was ever unsure, it was confirmed by a precious (hmphh) child who said, "You must love food because you're so fat."  Now, in my defense, everyone is fat to them, but I'm not gonna lie...it stung.

2.  The look on Philip, the director's, face when I first walked in his office said it all!  He was humbled, excited, shocked, and gracious all at the same time.  Not only was he glad I was there, he was glad we didn't leave them when ACO no longer had staff on the grounds.  I hope these emotions are enough to keep him true.

3.  We're not in Kansas anymore...I have to stop thinking of things by American standards.  This is Kenya.  

4.  The kids look healthy.  I took a photo of Ann today.  I'd like to compare it with the first photo I have of her.

 (Today)

(March 2011)

My point in sharing these comparison photos is to show what a difference two meals a day can make.  Sure there's always more to consider: are their diets balanced or are their teachers academic enough, but at this point, FOOD is the key to the "present day" Ann.  I would LOVE to be able to provide them all with a first rate education or heck, even a hot bath, but when I question if food is enough, I look at the photos again and I think I have to say, "Yes it is for now!"