Eggs and Orphans

About a week ago, we had the privilege of going to visit one of the orphanages in the area. There is a man named Paul Jarrett visiting Tenwek right now--he's an OB-GYN who has spent six month/yr here for a number of years. He has been unable to come for the past few years as his wife battled and ultimately died from breast cancer, but he is here now for 2 months. It has been fantastic to have him here, and I have benefited greatly from his knowledge and mentorship. He and his wife, Marty, started a number of orphanages around Tenwek in the past 10 years, and how that he has returned he's been making a point to visit each one. We went with him to Umoja Orphanage, which was a great experience.

The orphanage is only about a 15 minute drive from here and houses around 20 kids, aged four to about 16. The children all greeted us with handshakes, then we got a tour and sat down in the dining hall for a program. They sang some songs, and had speeches to welcome Dr. Jarrett back and express sorrow for the death of his wife. Then we took tea, and Julie Banks (who had come with us) taught the kids a song.

Joseph, Paul, and the chicken coop

One of the ways the orphanage tries to support itself is by raising chickens and selling the eggs. Maybe most of you aren't aware of how we get our eggs, but we actually buy them from a man named Joseph who comes to our door every Tuesday. We found out that Joseph is in charge of Umoja orphanage, so all the profits from our egg purchases come to support this orphanage. It also means that we got to meet the chickens that provide us with yummy eggs every week. Makes me want to buy more eggs to support such a good cause. :) We hope to return to Umoja soon and spend some more time with the kids. Every egg we eat is a reminder.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." --James 1:27