Dear All,
As promised two weeks ago, here is a further newsletter with some of the letters written by our young people.
The official statistics for Covid 19 in Kenya at the time of writing are: Confirmed 30 389, Recovered 19 368, Deaths 567.
But first, here is an advertisement!
This year we are unable to hold our usual fund-raising garden party in aid of Children’s Homes in Kenya. However, our garden has continued to produce good crops of fruit, much of which has been converted into delicious jam of several varieties. If any of you, living within a reasonable distance of Holmfirth, would like to purchase jam we are happy to supply it. We have Raspberry, Strawberry, Harlequin, Gooseberry, Red Currant Jelly and Marmalades, and several others. All proceeds will go to Kenya.
We are including two of the letters. A very short one written by one of our young boys and a much longer one written by one on our secondary school girls. As I received them as photographs of the originals, I have had to transcribe them and not identify the writers.
First letter.
Hi, I am glad that you are doing well there in England.
May God keep you safe from the pandemic.
I wake up at 6:00 and go to sleep at 21:00,
I like playing football as a referee in the field.
I like going to church at home as Dominic preaches and Tabitha sings songs.
Second letter.
Hey, before I even say anything, I’ve missed you both very much. Ian, I have missed your jokes, games and funny stories. Diana, who wouldn’t miss your sewing, food (especially sausages and cakes), your crossword puzzles and, interestingly, your hair. I’m wondering which hair clip you’ve got on right now, by the way. Is it a flower, a seashell, normal colourful one or some other cute fancy one? I am OK here and I hope you two are too. I’m glad you arrived home safely and found your family members OK.
Surprisingly, unlike my other holidays with the Riziki family, I’m finding this one so much more interesting. I’m learning a whole lot more from my siblings. Its queer that people I never thought really good with words I’m now finding really funny, others who were really jokers and never serious are understanding and easy to talk to, while others are very helpful. It’s like I’m getting to know my siblings in a different way.
Interesting, isn’t it? Pa is a bit tight with our schedule. He doesn’t want us to really take this as a holiday. We are usually up at six in the morning and we go to bed at ten thirty at night. We have our classes from nine and stop at twelve thirty for refreshment and getting ready for afternoon activities. We do dancing, with downloaded dance tutorials, hair plaiting and music on Tuesday, Wednesday, more dancing, Thursday art which includes designing sewing, using crochet, and fashion in dressing, applying makeup and modelling on Fridays. It’s always fun doing all this and made more fun doing them together.
Devotions are amazingly super. We do them from four thirty to six pm. Lately, most of it is about relationships. It really is amazing how God is usually behind all our relationships and really wants them to work, yet we blame him when things go wrong. I learnt that we really should thank God if at times things didn’t go as we planned or wanted them to and realize that he is our father and will never deny us anything good. It is because He has far more beautiful, great and amazing plans for our future, much better than what we know or what we are forcing ourselves to.
Right now, I’m working with WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) when coming to people or any other thing.
Saturday, we give it a break and have a free afternoon where we watch TV while the boys play football. We don’t really do much. I love Sundays. It always feels kind of sacred. We have our own service at home and preaching. I have been a preacher once, and a programmer three times. After church we do laundry, have lunch, then we have free hours till 4.00pm. From then on, we have 2-3 hours meeting with pa to discuss our issues and suggestions of the home.
For me this time has brought me closer to God than I have ever been. It has given me a lot of time to reflect on my thoughts, my actions, my school, my life, my future and my life in general. I have become much more responsible with all I’m assigned to. I’ve taken an interest in the younger ones. I’m spending time playing with them regardless of people raising eyebrows at me. I’ve read 99% of the novels in the house, thus making me re-read them all over. I’m thinking of maybe being a part time author. After school I do sing but not so much anymore.
Sometimes we go to the farm. I neither like nor hate the farm but if I were to choose I would not go. Did I mention we have a home theatre? You guys should see it. It really is great. It has five small speakers that are attached to the walls and one big woofa in the middle. It is connected to the DVD and produces really great sound. If you were behind it I really appreciate it. (I am told this was needed to get the school work for the children - Ian.)
I can’t stop writing without thanking you genuinely for your support. I take it to heart that none of it is easy. You have to sacrifice a lot. I kind of have this great feeling when I’m aware there are people out there who care for me and love me as me but not some kind of an orphan. I’m keeping you in my prayers that God will double all that you lay your hands on and be a light unto your path.
You touched a child’s heart.
Your loving daughter.
PS.
Diana, please don’t stress yourself too much. God will provide for the both of you and your family. You both should eat well and stay healthy. If the next time you come to Kenya and any of you is an inch thinner you will have to answer to me.
For your prayers.
Continued health and well being of the staff and children.
We find a satisfactory way of getting good internet at Riziki, so the children can do their distance learning.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Many Blessings, Ian & Diana
Reminder: The Aenon Trust has a new email address. [email protected].