From the moment that I arrived on African soil, something unique and wonderful has been happening in my heart and soul. And, so I want to give you, my friends and family, a glimpse of my experience and send a little of it out of Africa to you in hopes that you will join me on this journey of faith and hope, however long it may be that I remain.
When I came to Africa, I came to help a friend with her ministry and planned only to stay a couple of months. Once I got here, I knew that I would remain as long as God and Open Arms needed and wanted me to stay. I have been here now for nearly 6 months. In April, I will return home for a short visit and then return to Kenya. I do not know how long I will stay, but I know that I am committed, and am thankful for the strength of unconditional support that I have from my family and friends who know that I am here.
On the first day of my arrival in Eldoret, Kenya, I was able to experience the compassionate mission of Open Arms International when I joined the team in feeding the one hundred children of the Kambi Teso slum area. It was that day that I met “Smiley”.
He was captivating…a child of only two, half naked, dirty and alone, wandering in the large field on the school grounds where we served the food. He came to me immediately, with his gentle smile and warmly lifted his arms to be held. Hunger overwhelmed this child, as it did many others, but he waited patiently for his turn and enjoyed the feeling of being held and loved. Over the past few months, Smiley’s countenance has changed…he is no longer the smiling child that I first met; a heavy burden has begun to show on his tiny face. For Smiley and many others, the food and the love that Open Arms is able to supply four times a week is often the only food and love that they receive throughout their long and hard week. When I was visiting Rachel and David, the founders of Open Arms, in Portland, Oregon, in January 2008, they asked me to work on the project of writing some options for their vision statement. Knowing them as I do, it did not surprise me when they selected the boldest of the draft statements that I submitted.
The Vision of Open Arms is to see every stomach filled, every wound healed, every body safe, every mind educated, every emotion soothed, and every spirit transformed.
If even one of these children’s lives is changed in such a way it would greatly impact the world we live in.
A few days after my meeting with Smiley and the children of Kambi Teso, we visited the home of a woman who takes in abandoned children. OAI has been sponsoring several of the children and we were there to bring some supplies and gifts. It was then that I was introduced to Diana. Diana was born to a young girl who had been abused, and according to her tribe’s traditional beliefs she was to be killed at birth. But, God saved her through the compassion of her grandmother who carried her to a nurse who in turn brought her to the home where we found her.
When this precious five month old baby was placed in my arms, my heart was deeply moved and I felt instantly that she was in danger, but I did not know why. I feared for her health and safety. She was no bigger than a newborn, listless and had sores on her skin. I wanted to immediately take her with me to a safe place, but she was not mine to take. I shared my feelings with Rachel and she immediately checked the Doctor’s report. I did not know it at the time I met Diana, but Rachel too had been concerned and had ordered a Doctor’s checkup a month before – the results had come back that very day. We learned that she was malnourished and anemic and the doctor agreed that she was in danger. OAI immediately acted by contacting the District Children’s office and getting permission to take Diana in.
Saved twice from death in her short little life, this darling little girl came to me, and, somehow, she has actually rescued me. Diana is now a healthy and happy 10 months and is the joy and love of every person who meets her. And then, there is the Open Arms Village – a haven of safety and love for children who have lost everything. There are currently 25 children living on the 52 acres of land that is being developed to provide loving and caring homes for children who have lost their parents - some to AIDS, and some to brutal tribal killings. 20 orphans, and 5 biological children of the House Parents that serve them, have moved onto the property into the existing homesteads. Together they are thriving in this beautiful place.
Just in the short time that I have been here, I have watched and experienced the transformation of these children who have been through desperate and devastating circumstances, who have seen death and violence, and who have been subject to cruelty and neglect. The joy that shines in their faces as they run to into our embraces, dancing and singing and playing is a beautiful and wonderful thing to experience. They are children again. They are safe. They are loved. They are cared for. They are important again.
This past week we had a team from the USA and UK come to assist us in a Medical Outreach at the Kambi Teso slums area where Smiley lives. In three days we served over 500 people who were able to see Doctors and receive free medical supplies. Hundreds were prayed for to receive salvation, healing and restoration of their faith and hope. To be a part of this kind of service is a dream come true for me, and I am so blessed to be here. Feeding programs, child sponsorship, orphanage homes, medical clinics, emergency relief outreaches, and so much more – in just six months I have been able to be a part of so much giving and loving and bringing hope where there was none. It is hard for me to express in words all that I feel, but mostly I feel that this is right. It is the right place for me to be, the right time, the right circumstances, the right ministry, the right people.
So, I hope that you will continue to join me on this journey. Your prayers and support mean the world to me – near or far, old friend or new, I am so thankful for you. Please pray for what God is doing here, pray for Smiley and his friends, pray for Diana and the children of Open Arms International. Pray for their hopes and dreams, and for their safety and wellbeing. We can only do so much, but through the grace of God, these lives can really be saved.
If you are interest in giving financially, please forward your support to Open Arms International. If you indicate that you would like your donation to be allocated to missionary support of Renee Scobel, OAI will ensure that your gifts will go directly to me during my time here. Also, if you are interested sponsoring a child through Open Arms, please visit their website for more information. www.openarmsinternational.com
Open Arms International, United States
Headquarters:
5765 SW Hewett Blvd.
Portland, OR 97221
Mailing Address:
PO Box 343
Portland, OR 97207
Phone: 503-296-9989
Fax: 503-297-0193
Email: oai@openarmsinternational.com
