Some Rocks and a Hard Place

So, we’ve just finished the second day of building the underground stone walls which will form the perimeter of the foundation for the kitchen building. It’s late and I’m tired so I’ll just set the way back machine to yesterday and drag you up to date.

$Moses and Murafu, two masons, laying the first stone of our first building. The corner stone you\'d be accurate in saying.$ Moses and Murafu, two masons, laying the first stone of our first building. The corner stone you\'d be accurate in saying.

And with the next stone, the completed corner, our first right angle.

We had a long go-round with measurements. Even with my newly learned diagonal producing trick, we were at it for an hour.

But before you know it, we had lines of stones, all plumbed, all over the place.

$This is the other set of chicks. The ones whose mother didn\'t get killed by a snake bite in Gilbert\'s house the other night.$ This is the other set of chicks. The ones whose mother didn\'t get killed by a snake bite in Gilbert\'s house the other night.

All these stones laying around,

got carried over from the pile by Pastor and a couple of other guys.

And shaped by Musembi and a couple of other guys.

And laid out by Musyoka and a couple of other guys.

Until it began to look like walls in all directions, underground walls.

$I\'ve jumped ahead to today, day two. That\'s Murafu carrying one of the very heavy fourteen foot poles we set in place today.$ I\'ve jumped ahead to today, day two. That\'s Murafu carrying one of the very heavy fourteen foot poles we set in place today.

First they looked like this, tired and unconvinced.

$But we braced them and uprighted them out and told them to \"stand up straight\" in honor of Sister Ursula.$ But we braced them and uprighted them and told them to \"stand up straight\" in honor of Sister Ursula.

And then hung plumb bobs from the nails at right angles on them to make sure they were obeying.

The other guys went back to making stone walls,

very straight ones.

At midmorning I left the property and went to Machakos for Emanuel’s funeral. Emanuel lived at Springs of Hope. He was eight months old, and all the life he had he had because of Mary’s love for him. He was abandoned at birth in a sewage ditch in Athi River. He was always sick. He had an enlarged heart, was HIV positive, developed awful skin conditions, and so many other things in his two thirds of a year. But he had his go-round in a place that loved him and so found more than many.

I found his pals at the church when I arrived.

This crew has a lot of my favorites,

$and here\'s the whole mob of \"older kids\" from Springs in their pre-school uni\'s.$ and here\'s the whole mob of \"older kids\" from Springs in their pre-school uni\'s.

And a mzee they know as Day-veed.

And the woman whose life has saved each one of theirs.

We prayed and sang.

And pretended to read the hymns,

until it was time to take Emanuel out of the church to the burial site,

which, unfortunately, is also a dumping site.

But Emanuel was passed caring and we were without other options for now.

The grave had been dug, but too shallow, so we waited for it to be deepened.

These two were prepared, evidently, for two other small occupants.

$So we sang and prayed again and took comfort in each others\' company,$ So we sang and prayed again and took comfort in each others\' company,

and in the fact that a hard fight was over and a rest had begun.

They squeezed the coffin into the economical hole,

And we committed Emanuel to the earth and to the God who made it and him, and wondered at so many things.

I came back to the property and have pictures of what got done while I was gone, but I think I’ll wait on those.

For what we can do, and what we can’t,

David

Comments(11)

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Chris says
September 16, 2008 at 2:58 pm

The construction photos are beautiful and heartening as they always are. But the photos of the children, Emmanuel’s tiny coffin, and those of you surrounding it — puts all your work back into clear perspective. God bless you all.

Chris
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Pat Shepherd says
September 16, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Hello David My Brother,
The construction is going fabulously from all your pics! Just like the drawing we put together at the Nairobi Java House. You’ve blossomed into quite a construction Guru! I’m impressed. A couple of basic questions…1) What kind of snake and where was Gilbert when the chicken attack took place? 2) Am i coorect in that the poles are going into the foundation for the roof?
Your piece on Emanuel was a true testatment to our work in Kenya. It brings memories of my visit back vividly. Say hello to everyone from Pat-rick. Be Safe. Hugs, Love and Prayers. Pat
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david says
September 16, 2008 at 10:36 pm

Hello David My Brother,
The construction is going fabulously from all your pics! Just like the drawing we put together at the Nairobi Java House. Youâ€™ve blossomed into quite a construction Guru! Iâ€™m impressed. A couple of basic questionsâ€¦1) What kind of snake and where was Gilbert when the chicken attack took place? 2) Am i coorect in that the poles are going into the foundation for the roof?
Your piece on Emanuel was a true testatment to our work in Kenya. It brings memories of my visit back vividly. Say hello to everyone from Pat-rick. Be Safe. Hugs, Love and Prayers. Pat
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david says
September 16, 2008 at 10:44 pm

Dear Chris,

Sometimes the perspective is hard won. And there seem to be too many chances to gain it here, sometimes.

Your support is always a salve.

Love,

David
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david says
September 16, 2008 at 10:51 pm

Hello Pat, my fellow Kenyan,

As to the snake, it must have been some kind with enough mojo to kill a chicken with a couple of bites. Not sure past that, and no one saw it. Gilbert was safe in the other room.

The poles are set in the foundation and will go to the ring beam to support the indoor/outdoor sections of the building, the covered seating/dining area, and the covered washing are outside the kitchen proper.

Christian, Gilbert, Esther, and all your other friends here miss you and send their greetings…they’re pitching in for a return ticket.

Love you Pat-rick,

David
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Phyllis Masso says
September 16, 2008 at 11:58 pm

Hi, neighbor. I “googled” you to see how things went yesterday. Good job. I’m jealous. Nice photos, nice website, must most of all, good work. I’ll stop in one day soon on my way to Ahadi and have a look. We have a lot to learn from one another as we both try to provide a safe place for some of these vulnerable children in Kenya.

Phyllis
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Candy Payne says
September 17, 2008 at 11:41 am

David,

The photos this week were especially moving. I am sure that your task seems overwhelming at times….but just like Mary and Joyce, you are doing your part to save the lives of children. God is surely pleased.

Bless you.
Candy
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martin says
September 18, 2008 at 6:23 pm

i recognize so many faces of the “older” kids, many of my favorites, too. they look great, and have grown. but where is the little one with the devilish grin, the one who parts the seas?

i’m so sorry for little emanuel, and for mary’s loss, who lives and breathes for every one of those kids. it’s gut-wrenching.

i don’t know how you do it. but i’m glad that you do.

martin
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david says
September 19, 2008 at 10:59 am

Hi Phyllis,

Fancy meeting you here. And great to have you. You are always welcome at the property, and yes, we’ve lots to learn, especially me, from you and John.

Thanks for the kind words, and God bless,

David

PS I live now in Phyllis and John’s guest house.
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david says
September 19, 2008 at 11:03 am

Dear Candy,

When we had to take Emanuel to the cemetery/dump I felt like breaking something. Everything about it seemed wrong. But we’ll try to remedy that.

Thanks for your faithful prayers and your work for the kids here.

David
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david says
September 19, 2008 at 11:07 am

Hello Martin,

The one who saw the burning bush has, I think, flown the coop, but I’ll have to check to be certain.

Mary is hanging in there, and we’re doing it just like we did when you were here. Pole,’ pole’

Josephine says hi.

David

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