What I Didn't Know

Nothing is ever as you expect it to be.  I now understand the truth in this statement.  I didn’t expect Kings Kids Village to be such a thriving ministry; I didn’t expect to have clean water to drink; I didn’t expect to have a showerhead or a toilet that flushes; I didn’t expect to have electricity and constant access to the internet; I didn’t expect to live in a nice room with a comfortable bed; I didn’t expect to have a pleuthera of food choices and I certainly didn’t expect baked goods!  But all of these things are a reality for me here in Kenya.



Dan, Dorcas and all the girls with their babies.



So when Saturday morning (September 8^th)  rolled around and it was time to spend the morning with Wings of Compassion, I assumed that their compound was as comfortable as the one I live at.  What I didn’t know was that the ministry is located just outside the slums, in a very poor section of the city.  What I didn’t know is that their compound – home to 11 rescued girls and their babies, the directors Dan and Dorcas, their son, and their daughter with her two children – is smaller than my parents entire house.  What I didn’t know is that seven girls sleep in three bunk beds in one tiny room and two more currently occupy the kitchen.  What I didn’t know is that the babies only have one small room to play in during the day as the “yard” outside is nothing but mud and gets very messy during the rainy seasons.  What I didn’t know is that the kitchen is barely large enough to contain 3 people and the sink can hardly be used because the drain is blocked. 

What I didn’t know was that my first blog (posted less than two weeks since the day I arrived) was going to be a call for action.  But first, let me tell you a little about Wings and the heroes that started it.  Wings of Compassion is a rescue mission that seeks to give the most desperate teenage mothers and their babies a safe place to live, food to eat, and the opportunity to go back to school.  Each individual girls story is heart breaking and nauseating.  Many of them were sold into prostitution by their own family in order to earn money for food; one of the girls conceived as a result of rape; still others had their lives threatened and were forced to run away.  Not a single one of them is over 19 years of age. 

Dan and Dorcas started the ministry less than two years ago and their over whelmingly compassionate hearts willl not allow them to turn any girl away.  They have no space that is their own, even sharing their bedroom with their young son.  Two girls currently live in the kitchen, requiring most meals to be prepared outside.  With no money to buy a van, none even to pay the bus fare for all the girls, Sunday morning services are held in the living room.  To top it all off, Dan and Dorcas are also overseeing a small orphanage.  Just last weekend, a 6-year old girl was rescued from the streets.  She had been abandoned, sexually assaulted, and left walking the streets for 5 days and nights.  Even though she was rescued late at night, everything possible was done to ensure the girl received immediatie medical attention, food and a place at the orphanage.   Dorcas returned home at 2am the following morning.  But you won’t hear her complain.  Neither of them utters a single, disgruntled  complaint.  If you ask Dan, their compound is their “glory”; a hundred times better than the one they moved out of last December. 

What they really need is more space for the endless number of girls who need refuge.  What they really need is a support team – people who agree to give monthly to meet the growing needs of their ministry.  What they really need is a place they can call their own.  I know that those things will come in time.  But what they need IMMEDIATELY is the funds to build another room on their compound.  One more room will allow them to have their kitchen back; one more room might even allow them to bring in a few more girls.  And this is where I turn to you.  The cost of building another room is between $300-$400.  If you feel compelled at all to give to this cause, please message/email me.  I will be greatful; Dan, Dorcas and the girls will be grateful; and God above will see your selfless heart. 

Thank you in advance my wonderful family and friends!!  Blessings!