Children, Food, Love and Care

Previously I posted pictures of the dedication of the Children's Home, which Mark Kraybill and a team from Pennsylvania were in Kenya for - here's a video recap of that day. 

Photo by EricCressman.com

Solomon and four staffers are now caring for fifteen children at the home. Solomon shared an encouraging story about what difference adequate care can mean.


William lives at the home. He is a six, but could easily pass for a child half his age. He doesn't speak, except a few mumbling a few incoherent words. At first, William struggled with eating. He’d fill his plate and gobble down his food so fast that he gagged. Other times, he would fill his mouth so full he couldn’t chew and would begin to choke. Sometimes he would scoop all the food from his plate into his lap and cling to it without eating. Or if they allowed him free access to food, he would eat several platefuls and then throw up. It became apparent that he felt protective and insecure with food. 


Solomon explains why, “After his mother died, William lived with his grandparents before coming to LLM. His grandparents didn’t have enough money for regular meals, so when food was available, all the children scrambled for it. William has rarely seen a full plate of food in his life and when he did, it wasn’t just for him, it was for many others also.” 


Solomon noted that it has taken a lot of work to get William to feel secure with food. He’s learning that all the food on his plate is his and there will be more at the next meal. Sometimes he forgets and reverts to his old habits, but the staff continues to encourage him to form new healthy eating habits. They can already see that William’s health is improving. Plus, he’s happier and more playful. 


Solomon is encouraged by William’s progress and says, “We hope that someday he will speak more and be able to go to school. One day, William may become a doctor ... or the next president of Kenya! Who knows what plans God has in store for him?” 


Will you consider a year end gift to help LLM provide adequate care for William and all the children? Or visit our Facebook page to see pictures of the children ... and if interested, choose one to sponsor. What a wonderful gift that would be for the child and yourself this Christmas season.


For sponsorship information ... contact Janet at 484-798-7824 or JanetOberholtzer@gmail.com

For general donations, 
Send your tax-deductible gift to:  
Living Love Ministries 
12002 Arnold Road 
Orrville, OH 44667