We are fairly positive that each day we went home after the house build, Charles the foreman and his crew quietly back to the work site and did more work. We can’t prove it, but how else do you explain finishing such a project in four days?

On the final day, Sue and I worked on painting and putting creosote on the house to protect it from the elements. Tim worked on placing slim pieces of wood between the larger boards on the side of the house to cover the gaps.

The children who surrounded us were not as many as they had been the first three days. Charles may have told them to give us space on Thursday so we could work more efficiently.

Charles seems like a brusque man but is actually extremely kind and funny. He speaks wonderful English so helped us understand much of what was happening at any given time. The children listened to Charles. No idea what he said to them in Swahili when he wanted them to leave us alone but he’d say it or look at them and they’d all turn around and scurry away. What they could not see, and what we could, is each time he’d say something to them- he’d turn around once he addressed them and would smile a secret smile. Definitely a tough guy exterior with a soft heart.

Sue and I painted the window frames and metal a dark green- inside and out. We also did the doors inside and out the dark green color. Doris, the 9 year old girl from the family, would sneak past Charles and say, “Oooh. Smart!” She meant that the house was looking good! Doris’s tough girl attitude definitely melted on that final day.

Tim is a perfectionist at times and wanted the gap boards put up just so. He was working alone for a long while on the back side of the house. He painstakingly placed the boards as he wanted it to do the job of keeping water out of the house. At some point, I heard Charles say something to some of the older youth gathered and mention the word “muzungu”. Thirty seconds later we heard the youth in the back of the house helping Tim.

Sue and I were inside painting away and smelling the fumes of the paint and creosote. At the same time, there were about five hammers hammering away on the other side of the walls. I was sure I was going to get a massive headache but my body didn’t fail me and we were able to finish.

Apparently we took too long as once we had two windows done and the back side of one door, Musa (oldest brother) and his friend came up, took out paintbrushes, and finished the outside of the door in literally about three minutes. Granted they were not precise and they painted green over the locks and latches but they finished in three minutes what would have taken us another forty-five minutes.

Luckily Charles and his men are used to working with Muzungus. Charles has completed about six hundred homes in his time with the hospital. He knows how to get things done. We all worried about being precise and perfect but Charles would reassure us with words like, “Good enough” and “don’t worry”. Apparently we amused him as we wanted to work so hard. I constantly offered to do things or carry things for the workers and would get amused responses like, “don’t worry” or “sit down and rest”.

During the day, John the incredible social worker who guided us through the week, arranged for the family to receive huge bags of rice and beans. He also enrolled them in a hospital program to get continual food on a monthly basis.

He showed the family how to prepare the meal. They got an onion and sautéed it in a pan over the fire. They then added rice and beans which would cook for at least an hour. John helped make a huge pot of food so that they could host their neighbors as well for the house blessing. One little girl who was friends with the family excitedly told me, “We get to eat today!” I asked if she was excited and she happily said, “so very pleased.” My heart wept. We were helping one family of many who need help. How do we reach more?

Sue picked out some clothing from a donated clothing store at the hospital for the girls and Musa. John bought the girls two pairs of shoes: one for school and one pair of sandals for dress up. Musa has large feet and the shoes would be too expensive. So he encouraged Musa to use the money he’d earn at work to buy a pair of shoes.

We missed the moment Sue gave the clothes but the children were sooo excited. It was a major deal. It may have been their second outfit to choose from for their daily wear. They all put on their hats and happily showed them off.

Doris bounced over to Charles and grabbed his hands (the man the children feared mind you). She animatedly spoke to him in Swahili. She danced off and Charles smiled at me and said, “she is so excited to have new clothes”.

I helped some adults and the children put in shoelaces for the shoes. The mother of the children who is mentally unhealthy and had not appeared the entire time we were there and whom we did not know existed until day three- was beaming and helping with the laces. She said, “so smart!” at the shoes.

Mercy’s shoes were missing a lace. I panicked a bit until I realized the lace off my shoe was white and could work. I took it off and laced up her shoe. Granted, I then finished the day slipping out of my one shoe but it was worth it. Completely and utterly.

We had our own lunch tucked behind the house. PB&J for all! We also brought along cheese puffs which were a huge hit. They are the Kenyan version and to me tasted like a corn puff, not cheese and a bit stale. But perhaps it’s just a matter of taste.

After lunch we finished with the creosote while Charles and crew made sure the front stair and other foundation things were cleaned up. They do amazing and hard laborious work. I cannot emphasize that enough.

Creosote is evidently banned from use in the states. It’s the type of paint used on telephone poles. It stains everything and got through our work gloves to our hands. No matter! Charles had us pour turpentine on our hands to get the paint and creosote off. Not sure how safe it all was but I was trying to do it the Kenyan way so went all out. I almost wrote a blog called “What doesn’t kill you, cleans you” but decided against it.

At about three, we started to clean the worksite to prepare for the celebration at 3:30. The neighbors started to come into the narrow area surrounding the house. The mood was full of excitement and curiosity.

The hospital staff came as well. Many of the leaders and doctors and other staff members were there. The other “micro-team” that came to bring the clinic were there to help us celebrate.

Charles and his crew still were cleaning up when the celebration and blessing began. The group started singing in Swahili. Stanley from the hospital who works as a Coordinator of Community Health, led the singing and celebration. Stanley is extremely passionate about what he does and for the people of the Kenya. He is extremely inspiring.

I whispered to Sue to ask when we should give Musa’s family a little stone we brought for them. She said we could give it to them when we gave them the key. She whispered that we gave him the key before the blessing and after we gave our speeches. I dropped my jaw- “speeches????”

I’m thinking she didn’t want to stress us out prior to the celebration. Which we would have done. But in those next few moments my mind was racing. What could Tim or I say to summarize all we were feeling and experiencing? How did we summarize the honor it was that Montavilla UMC allowed us to use their funds and represent them in this house build?

All I can say is, thank goodness for Toastmasters. I just decided to wing it. After the singing and whooping and hollering, Tim and I expressed our thanks and thoughts. Tim’s so well spoken he said something lovely. He has said repeatedly that building the house is one of the most meaningful and worthwhile things he has ever done or been a part of during his lifetime. He said we will always remember the experience and the family. He was wonderful. Truly.

I said something similar and was probably a bit long winded (can you imagine me long winded?????) I do remember I said that I would forever be sisters with the family. I said I will always remember the girls teaching me how to “twerk” (I exaggerated- we all knew I never mastered the twerk), the children braiding my hair, and teaching me swahili. I promised we’d tell their stories and tell those we love in the States about them. I told them we’d forever hold them in our hearts. These words were no exaggeration.

Prayers were said and more singing. Tim then presented the key to Musa. A key! A far cry from the home they were living in which will now be used as a kitchen or more likely, torn down. They won’t be able to move in to the new home for two weeks as the floors will not fully set until then. But the celebration and excitement in the air was overwhelming.

The crowd made their way to the new home and everyone placed one hand on the still wet with creosote walls. A blessing for the house was said. I don’t know the exact words but it included the hope that the family will be blessed and protected for years to come in the home.

We had to leave shortly after as the crowd was growing and the family was to celebrate with their beans and rice (which smelled amazing!). We gave quick hugs and said our goodbyes. It was hard to say goodbye as we did not know when or if we’d ever see the children again. They don’t have emails, no facebook, and mail is extremely difficult to send as they don’t have an official address. We may send letters with Dad and Sue as well as pictures. But it’s no guarantee. But even if I never see or talk to them again- they will always be in my heart.

The water cistern and bedding will be ready for them by their move in day. They will go from one bed to three beds. John and Sue promise we will get pictures.

In addition, a plaque will be put up that says the house was provided in partnership with Montavilla and the hospital. Often, the hospital will check in on the houses years later to make sure they still stand. For the duration of the program, a house has never fallen. One family no longer resides at a home but the rest still live and thrive where their home stands. May that be true for Musa’s home.

The home build experience was amazing. Since Dad and Sue started traveling to Kenya in 2006, we’ve seen pictures of the home building process. To have actually put sweat and literal tears into the build was a surreal and everlasting experience we will never forget. It wasn’t about us, or even Montavilla who made it happen. Instead it is about the family who will spend days, months, and years in the home. I will forever think of Mercy, Doris, Amandra, and Musa living within those walls.

We will also remember Charles and his helpers: Dennis, Moses, Nixon, and John. We will also always remember John the Social Worker. And the children in the village- Stella, Moda, Jemema, Tress, and everyone else. I hope they grow, are happy, and always have shelter, food, and warmth.

How to Give: http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects/Projects/140161

Note- will update blog once have pictures of cistern and bedding!