May 2026 Trip Recap - Part 1
MAY 2026
Trip Recap Part 1
May was a big month as we’ve gone and come back from our trip to visit the orphanage in Kisii, Kenya! We’ve gotten many requests for more thorough recaps and updates from our trip so I will do my best to explain everything, and will break it down into several newsletters. I feel it’s especially important that you all know and understand how YOUR generous contributions have made such a significant impact on the orphanage and community. The circle of donors is small but extremely generous and we are so very grateful that you are a part of it!
Traveling from our home in Chillicothe to the orphanage is quite a trek. We drove 2.5 hours to the Chicago airport and then took a 14 hour flight to Ethiopia where we had a 3 hour layover before taking another flight (2.5 hours) to Nairobi. Next is a short 45 minute local flight to Kisumu and then a 3 hour drive to the orphanage!
Last time we visited Kenya in July 2023, we had hired Robert as our driver. He was such a big blessing on that trip as he was local and could help us understand and translate, navigate and drive us around, as well as take photos and videos for us to document everything. We have kept in touch with him, and we were able to get him to drive us on this trip again!
Joel and Vincent met us at the local Kisii hotel where we checked in, and they accompanied us to the orphanage. Upon arrival and many warm greetings from both the children and community/church members, we were asked to officially dedicate/bless each area of the water borehole project which has just recently been fully completed.
Top picture: Pastor Vincent talking about the projects
Middle picture: the actual borehole located in back of the property (not a water access point). There is a solar pump and water tank up by the road which supplies all of the water access.
Bottom picture: they had decorated each “special area” with ribbons and a balloon and one member of our family would cut the ribbon and pop the balloon, and everyone would cheer.
There are 5 different water spigot access point areas throughout the orphanage compound. This is so useful for the children and workers, as the access points are located outside dormitories, near the dining hall, etc., in practical and convenient spots.
This was especially meaningful for Drew because, as you’ll remember, he decided after our last visit to head up raising funds for drilling the borehole. He raised $15k at that time, and since then, we’ve contributed approximately $15k more to get all the necessary plumbing and installation of the access points, solar pump, and tank. This tank is located off the road so community members can easily access water also. We saw them filling containers and buckets.
Using water access points for laundry, dishes, and hand washing before meals
