One Year Later....

As of today, we have been in Nakuru for one year! And what a year it has been!!  I am so thankful to God for bringing us here. It was a great move for us.

This year has brought about so many changes. Good changes. The ministry of HCO has grown, as have our babies.

And our babies have not just grown, they have come and gone! We have been blessed with some beautiful new bundles of joy, and we have watched others leave our home and return to their biological families, while others have become a part of their brand new adoptive families. We moved here with Lizzy, Julia, Miah, Kate, Eli, Hope, David, and two week old Joseph. We now have Lizzy, David, Joseph, William, Brian, Kennedy, Annabelle and Winnie. And in there, we also had Elizabeth Soni, Solomon and Noah.

Elizabeth

Lizzy has made great progress! She is more mobile and gaining strength every day. She is very bright and happy. We are still in process of determining the options for her future.

Julia

Julia is now officially released from Haven of Hope and I am now her legal guardian (until 18 years of age). We hope to begin the adoption process soon. 

Jeremiah

Miah, who will be called Jeremy, is now living with his parents in Nairobi. When their adoption is final, he will go to his new home in Italy, where I am sure he will be playing football with his papa on a very regular basis.

Kate

Kater-bug was finally reunited with her mother in December 2010, after being and HOH baby for 15 months. They come to visit us in Nakuru and are doing well. 

Elijah

Eli is now the son of a very proud daddy and mom. They live in Nairobi.

Hope

Hopey, now called Chabet, is the daughter of one happy mama! She is definitely a mama's girl and they have a true mother-daughter bond. They live in the Trans-Mara area of Kenya. 

David

The baby who had such a rough start in life is now a happy, healthy little boy. We are currently pursuing documents so that he can be freed for adoption.

Joseph

Joseph just celebrated his first birthday. He is a funny little boy who loves his favorite auntie. He is soon to be released for adoption.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Muthoni (Soni) was a HOH baby for six weeks. We were able to provide her with a safe home while her mother worked things out in her life so that she could be a better mother.

William

William is almost 8 months old. He was a fussy little one for his first few months, but now he is a happy, playful little thing who loves to bounce in the play station. He has been submitted to an adoption agency and is awaiting the freeing process.

Annabelle

Sweet Annabelle is now 3 months old. She is a beautiful little girl with a bright future that will include a story that is a true picture of God's redemptive grace.

Solomon

Solomon (whose real name was Caleb) was only with us for a few weeks. After being abandoned by his father, his mother came for him. We were happy to be a safe place for him until he was reunited with his mother.

Winnie

Sweet Winnie is a quiet little cuddler. She is 2 1/2 months old and loves to sleep and eat, and rarely cries. She grows every day and is beginning to look like a cute little round ball!

Noah

Noah graced us with his presence and cute little man-like face for just two weeks. His mother, in fear of losing her future and opportunity for education, abandoned the sweet boy. He was eventually returned to her, under the supervision of his aunt and uncle.

Kennedy

The bright-eyed Kennedy was rescued from his mother's incapable care. His future is uncertain as we wait for court processes dealing with his mother. Meanwhile, we will love him and care for him for as long as God keeps him safe in our home.

Brian

Brian was supposedly abandoned by his mother. He was a sad little boy when he first arrived, but is now a happy little boy who recently learned to walk. We are waiting on the status of his mother to be determined in order to know his future plans.

His Cherished Ones has also expanded our outreach ministry since we moved to Nakuru. We are blessed to have these handsome young men and beautiful women as part of our family now, too.

The boys in our HCO boys' home

These are orphaned and/or abandoned boys who have been on their own, either on the streets or roaming from home to home of well-wishers willing to give them a bed. None of the boys had been in school in over a year. They now have a safe place to live and are all in school. It is our desire that these young men will all come to know the Lord, will grow in their faith, and will one day become godly leaders who genuinely love and provide for their families as men of integrity.

The women of Cherished Handworks

This beautiful group of women are all single mothers who struggle to provide for their families. In a society where single mothers are not respected and face many extreme trials, these ladies are now offered the opportunity to learn a skill and use that skill to earn a consistent income to provide for their family. They also have the support of other women in the same position and have the support of learning about the consistent provision of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

What a blessed year it has been!! And this week, we also celebrate the birthdays of staff members Suzy (baby caretaker), Eunice (house keeper), and Tobias (groundskeeper). It is certainly a blessed week!

Truly, what a wonderful year! And this is a wonderful week to celebrate our anniversary in Nakuru! Thank You, Lord, for Your abundant blessing and provision.