Community Day (Leon)

Twice a year, Open Arms hosts Community Day and invites friends and family of Open Arms' children to come and visit the village and spend time with the kids. Some kids have relatives in the Eldoret area, and others have friends that come and visit them. This is one way Open Arms tries to keep children connected with the communities they came from, so they still have relationships outside of Open Arms. 

My favorite reunion story from the last Community Day was Leon and his mom, Regina. The transformation that has happened in both of their lives since Leon came to Open Arms is incredible. Leon has grown from a malnourished, sickly baby, into a healthy, thriving little boy. Regina is no longer living on the streets, has a steady job, a mentor, and is supporting herself and saving money.
If you don't remember Leon first coming to the village over a year ago, you can see him here: Leon

The two of them are living miracles, and it makes me smile every time I see them together. We serve an amazing God who can take the most desperate situation and turn it into something beautiful. 

Let's all go to the dentist!

When I got back from visiting the UK over Christmas, the first question Sharon asked me was "Auntie Rachel, when can we go back to the dentist?!" Ha! Sharon came to Open Arms last summer, just before the second annual dentist extravaganza - where 72 kids go to the dentist over a period of about 3 weeks. Sharon has extremely decayed teeth, so she required multiple trips to the dentist and her first visit she was very fearful. But, after a little bit of valium and letting her hold a mirror so she could watch - going to the dentist is now one of Sharon's favorite things!

Open wide!

As long as she has the mirror to hold so she could see everything, Sharon let the dentist do pretty much anything.

Patrick's first time ever going to the dentist was for an abscessed tooth that needed to be extracted. I was not the one who took him, but I heard he was traumatized. His second visit was with me, and I took him just for a check-up - no cleaning, no treatment, just looking! - and he was terrified. He cried as soon as he saw the chair and I had to hold him and let him watch about 5 other kids go first before he would consider sitting down. For his next visit, a new toy car, a coloring page, and a little bit of valium - he was very calm and got two fillings with no tears.

The dentist told him many times during his treatment "You are good!" Afterwards, he just beamed. =)

Hugging his coloring page and waiting for the car ride home!

Sharon and Gracie coloring pictures and waiting for the dentist to come.

 On this visit, Sharon went first. The wait was a bit long for Gracie, 4 years old, so she just seized the opportunity for a nap!

This was Gracie's first visit to the dentist and she needed two fillings, but she did great!

In just a few weeks, the Eldoret School of Dentistry's mobile clinic is coming to the village to do free dental care and education for all of our kids, including all the community children enrolled in Open Arms Academy! So much easier than taking multiple matatu rides to town with 5 or 6 kids at a time! 

Perspective for 2013

During my travels the last few months, I have gone back and forth between developed and undeveloped countries. I've seen affluence and poverty, and I've seen happiness and misery on both sides. It made me think: am I content with what I have? 
Some food for thought to put you in the right perspective for the year 2013! (I posted links with each statement if you want to see the source)

1. There are places where food at times is so scarce, dirt is a staple food.

2.  80% of the world's population does not have running water,  and 11% have no access to clean water. Think 11% sounds small? That's 783 million people!

3. About 40% of the world's population does not have shoes.  Only 8% own cars. 

 4. 16,000 children die every day from hunger. Hunger kills more people per year than AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria combined.

5. If you make more than $4 a day, you are wealthier than 75% of the world's population. 

6. Roughly two thirds of the population has no internet access. 25% of the population don't have electricity.

7. Last year the US spent $51 billion dollars on pets. $300 million of that was for Halloween costumes.



I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Phillipians 4:12

This verse isn't just talking about food - it's talking about life. Whenever you find yourself wishing for something different, or longing for something you don't have, or feeling tired or hungry or anxious or alone - remember this verse. Learn the secret of being content!