Mosop Orphanange

On Monday, Riley, Luke, Liam and I rode out to Mosop, an orphanage and school about 20km away. We arrived just before the kids got out of school. There are about 250 children, boys and girls, ages 5-17. Over half are orphans and live there, but the other half just come for school during the day.

They divided the kids according to age. From there, the older ones split up boys and girls. Luke spoke with the older guys while two social work girls here from Kentucky spoke with the girls. The girls talked about guys, sex, telling them they have a right to say no and guard their hearts and bodies, and just spoke openly about starting their periods. These are taboo subjects, and it is likely a young girl might start bleeding and have no clue what is happening, and never tell anyone. Especially if they are not at home with a mother close by. These kids kind of raise each other. As I understand, there are only about 3-5 adults who live there with the kids. Riaka and Kaitlyn said the talk went very well. They opened the floor for questions. Of course the girls were too embarrassed, so the girls said to write their questions down. This was brilliant, so they got their questions answered without having to be singled out. They were amazed that American girls have to go through the same things with their bodies.



While the older ones were learning, Riley and I took the younger kids under 11. We listened to them sing loudly and beautifully, and we taught them a couple games. In the picture Riley is leading them in a game of Red Light, Green Light. They thought it was hilarious when she would say "redlightgreenlight" really fast! They loved it! When we were not playing the game, the kids swarmed Liam (who was on my back) and Riley. They want to look, touch (especially hair), and listen to our funny accents!



Riley is having an amazing time. She brought a whole suitacase full of toys and gifts. She and her friends and family made about 200 gospel bead bracelets that she will hand out, and share the meaning of them. She has made many sacrifices to come. She did not open any presents on Christmas morning from her parents, because any money that would have gone toward her Christmas went toward this trip. She also kind of "gave up" receiving any presents for her 13th birthday. She asked all her friends at her party to instead bring something for the children in Africa for her to pass on. She and her friends also made blankets and tied ribbons on them with their favorite scripture verse written on it. She is missing a full week of school, plus her Spring Break. I don't know if missing school is a "sacrifice", but she does have to make up the work when she gets back! Luckily she is a very good student, so her teachers are understanding.




Riley is just doing amazingly here. Even after a near fainting experience, she has not complained once. She is game for whatever we are doing! Before we went out to the orphanage, we were told by several people that this place is "really nice." Just to keep things in perspective, there are no showers, and to go to the bathroom, you stand over a hole in the ground. So Riley is getting the "squatty potty" experience for 4 days!

She is soaking the whole culture in. She is trying to pronounce words and phrases, willingly eats the local food, and jumps in a laughs and plays with the kids. This will be an amazing growing experience for her.



The Tenwek team, as well as the Mosop staff, is also excited to have a man spend time with the kids. As you can imagine, going to the orphanage is something the visiting wives do while their husbands work at the hospital. And trust me, most visitors do not sleep there with the kids! These boys specifically do not see many strong, Christian male influences. In fact, Luke spoke to the older ones about something that is not done in their culture: respecting women. In Africa, it is not "ladies first," but men first. In everything. Women are mostly there for having babies, raising them, and housework. So, for Luke to talk about treating a woman with respect, loving his wife and sleeping with her only, would not be something they would hear. He had a translator, but what was funny was that the translator spoke in English, but just the African accent! They could understand Enoch's English better than Luke's! Luke has offered to help however necessary around the place. He was on such a high when I left them!

I would have loved to stay, but it would not be a great idea with Liam. All four will return to the hospital on Thursday. I'm sure they will want to take a good shower, have a nice meal, and rest. The three girls are sharing two twin beds at Mosop! For Riley's fans reading this blog, she likely will not be able to add to her blog until she returns. But keep praying for her and for Luke. They are doing a great thing, even if it is just playing with kids! I know I am missing them, and looking forward to their return to Tenwek so we can enjoy our last couple days together.

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there." Matthew 19:14

I know Riley and Luke will not be the same as they "go on from here," now that they have placed their hands on these sweet children.