THANKSGIVING GREETINGS
Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving gives us a time each year to pause and to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. Without this opportunity the constant flow of challenges would prevent us from seeing and celebrating our successes. This is especially true for me here in Kenya--I solve one problem and immediately more confront me.
Looking back on this year, I am most grateful for the support we have received from friends like you. We could not continue without you. Let us, my dear friends, celebrate the successes we have had in 2017, but also consider the problems which continue to challenge us.
Counter-balancing all our triumphs is the presence of the drought in Kenya. The drought persists...and has been disastrous for Kenya and our work here at the Children’s Village.
But the girls at St Clare provide us a reason to celebrate: they are leaders in academics and sporting programs, and successfully compete in both local and national competitions. Although, I am still challenged to find transportation to these events for them, I fear putting their lives in the hands of rented matatu drivers.
We must also celebrate our teaching staff here at St Clare. They are dedicated to this mission and work diligently to educate the girls. With their guidance, the girls are exposed to more than academics. The staff works with the girls to teach them skills such as tailoring (to sew their own clothes) and gardening (to produce vegetables). Though the lack of rain has made gardening very difficult, neither the girls nor the staff has given up. I am so proud of them.
The work the girls do with the HIV infected children from the St. Philomena Home for Hope is a special blessing. Our St. Clare girls help them wash their clothes, give them medication, and wrap their wounds. Most importantly, they give these little ones love and affection. I am so proud of our girls; they are not afraid. Thanks to the probiotics given to me by an American family, these HIV children have not become sick throughout 2017.
Yes, my dear friends of Kenyan Orphans, 2017 has brought us many successes to celebrate, but we still face this horrible drought. I do not see an end to it and I am concerned for Kenya. I trust God will not abandon us, and I sincerely pray that you will not either. We need your support now more than ever. We pray for you every day; we pray that our loving Father will bless you and fill your soul’s desire.
Please continue to walk this mission with us. I wish you a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Gratefully,
Fr. Francis Limo Riwa
