January 15, 2015 found Daryl and his youngest son, Rusty (Daryl Jr.), headed for Rusinga, Kenya This was Daryl’s 40th trip since first arriving in 2005. This would be Rusty’s first trip to Kenya although he has helped on other humanitarian outreach trips including Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan. Mary Jo and Living Waters Board member Sharon Judd joined them on February 5, 2015.
In 48 hours- 24 kids become total orphans-read on for understanding of God’s leading
Some of our kids screened for diabetes are still going hungry-read on for understanding in God’s direction
Our objectives were quite clear and simple:
•Build a veranda on the back of the guest house/medical clinic
•Pull the water well to determine why inadequate supply of water
•Perimeter Fencing assessment and repairs
•Window screening for the medical/clinic/guest house
•Three (3) Community seminars for Ebola Awareness and Diabetes Education
•Assess two (2) projects for strategic partnerships potential
•Ongoing Living Waters Feeding Center and Living Waters Kaswanga Academy
•Academy project assessment and management
•Annual Birthday celebration for Children
•Annual Staff appreciation dinner
•Expand Living Waters Industry (sewing project) building and capabilities
•Electrical installation to the feeding center, sewing center and back-up to medical clinic/guest house.
These may not seem like major projects, but look on to see how God provides and how His timeline directs changes in our outreach.
In a 48 hour time period 24 children became total orphans with absolutely no one to care for them or meet their needs. We were approached by our staff and asked if we could take them on. The budget constraints were explained and they were asked “how do you think we can take them on?”. Their reply was “we will all have a little less so we can take them in”. Hearing this, we knew we would step out in faith at that moment and that God was asking us to help His little children in Kaswanga.
When we did blood screening for diabetes on all of our 175 children we were shocked to see that many had blood sugar readings of half of what should have been expected. Most had not eaten since they were fed at the feeding center the day prior. Even though they were getting one good meal a day they were still undernourished. Most of us could not function with blood sugar levels ranging between 41 and 50. We knew right then we had to take another giant leap of faith and start a breakfast meal program. All of the children will now come by the feeding center and get porridge on their way to school and return at lunch time for a hot meal.