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7.02.2013

The Story of Rehoboth House



Helping w/o Hurting:
We learned so much about orphan care while in Kenya. After seeing many children’s homes and hearing  stories of “well adjusted“ orphans who are thriving as adults we are  even more confident that Peter is doing it right. Kenyan believers are raising Kenyan children. These children are living in the environment they will, more than likely, live in as adults.

Their life is no longer hopeless it is redeemed. Praise the Lord

Currently Peter is lay pastor of a house church, husband to Eunice and father to baby Melissa. Together they provide funds for the needs of 20 orphans ages 3-12. Peter continues to run his Pikki Pikki business and minister to the children and widows that live in Kipsongo.

Peter’s goal for Rehoboth House isn’t for the children to
just survive but for the them to thrive.

He uses   60% of the revenue from his taxi service to house, clothe and feed the children.  He also helps manage and teach the widows of the Kipsongo community about business and marketing their own products. 


Rehoboth House Day to Day– 20 beautiful children, all with first and last names, are so proud to live at Rehoboth House. Their names are all the they have left of their families. These children are completely orphaned, meaning, they do not have a single living family member that can care for them. 
-All school aged children are enrolled in public school
-They are fed three meals a day
-They are provided with clothing and medical care
-They play with other children in their community , daily
-They are cared for by Nixon and Fatuma  who have a  son  and Eunice who has two sons of her own
-They are being  shown the gospel of Christ by the love they receive from  those who care for them

The Back Story 

In 2009 Jay and Ken Childress went to Kitale, Kenya to meet Peter Odihambo . During this trip they realized Peter was a true brother in Christ with a burden for orphans and widows in his country. They also discovered that he is quite the entrepreneur. He, at the time, owned a pay phone business that was funding a children’s home of 20 orphans. Jay and Ken raised funds for him to become owner and operator of a“Pikki-Pikki” motorcycle tax service.
In 2010 we, along with others, have helped Peter move the children to a better home, buy uniforms for the them, purchase a grain store for a widow, seed for planting and chairs for the church he helps pastor.
In 2011, thorough the donation of good friends, another “pikki pikki was purchased, and two drivers were hired.


Why Rehoboth?  
When we asked Peter why he chose the name Rehoboth he told us to the story of how God blessed Isaac with a large household, so he went out trying to find well large enough and land for all of his household. After searching he finally found a place that had plenty of water and land so he named it Rehoboth which means– Room Enough.

Gen. 26 : 22 … “Isaac said, For now the Lord has made room for us and we will surely thrive.” 

Peter is spreading the gospel by his devotion to care for those in need. He loves God, loves his neighbors, and is making disciples of others who will, by God’s grace, do the same as they mature into young men and women. 


Kitale, Kenya is surrounded by communities that were developed during the violence of the 2007 political uprising. The Kipsongo area is a slum that is filled with women and children that were displaced in 2007.  Many local believers and expats have put countless hours and time to provide care for those living in Kipsongo. 




6.04.2013

TeenPact- JT loves politics?

 The entire 10th grade class went to Teen Pact in Little Rock, AR this year. TeenPact  is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students.  

Our mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things. http://teenpact.com/

Well, JT was defiantly one of the teens who wasn't sure if he really cared about such things, as politics, right now. All he knew is that he looked really good in  his suit and his friends were going. He ended up really loving it. He got to tour the capitol, meet senators and lobbyist, witness the Heart Beat Bill pass, run for mock senate and win, plus have really fun friend hangout time.

Who knows, we may have a future politician on our hands!!

Celebrating 13....WOW! My little girl is now a young woman.

First, let me say that Claira has grown into an amazing young lady. Jay and I really wanted her birthday to be a milestone into women hood for her. After conspiring on our own we decided to get the grandmothers involved. It was such a wonderful day!

Claira had no idea what would happen on her birthday.

Feburary 27, 20013

7:00 am

I woke Claira up, said, "Happy Birthday!" and  then told her to wear something she felt comfortable, but pretty in. 

8:00 am 


 We arrived at Briar Rose, our favorite bakery. While eating cinnamon rolls we begin to talk about womanhood. I wish I could remember exactly what I said, but basically I told her that being a woman is an amazing gift. She will face many challenges, but with those challenges come sweet victories. I talked with her about how we, as women,  have a responsibility to be aware of our mood changes. When we are on our period it isn't an excuse for women to be grumpy and rude to everyone it is a time for awareness and self-control.

Just a month before this God had really impressed upon me that I had the wrong idea about my monthly cycle. I have always viewed it has a time to suck it up and just pretend like everything it fine, even though it isn't and I end up having to do A LOT of apologizing when it is over. My new approach has been to plan ahead, clear the calendar, and take the week to soak of Jesus and save my energy for my family and say, "No" or "Not this week, but next" to everything else. It has revolutionized me! I explained this to Claira and gave her, what we fondly call , her very own "Exclamation Point Book" (!)



Jay has joked with me many times over the past 18 1/2 years. That I don't have a period, an exclamation point!!!! I have to agree. I filled Claira's book with verses that apply to how we, as women, feel during our cycle. She loved it and uses it. It was a sweet time for us. I cried, she giggled. God has blessed me with a daughter that loves to talk about everything! There is no "taboo" conversation with Claira and  I love every minute of it!!!

9:00am

Claira's first ever 1 hour massage, a gift from her Nonna! Since Claira was little she has wanted a full body massage. On the way to the massage I gave her a card from Nonna. When we pulled up I told her that she was about to experience something that would change her life and I'm pretty sure it did!
Here is Claira right before her massage. It was a cold day!!

11:00 am

Our next stop was Make Up! I handed her a card from Grandma Tulsa and then told her that Grandma T wanted to purchase her make up. Also, since Claira was little she was playing in my make up. She loved pretending to be older than she was. She couldn't wait for the day that she could have her own "real" make up and wear it in public. Well...today was that day!

Outside of Ulta with her stash!




 We bought: 
foundation
blush
eyeshadow
masscara
lip gloss
brushes
curling rod
nail polish
face wash
moiturizer
lotion etc....
It was SO MUCH FUN!!!!





11:40 am

After Ulta we got in the car and I handed her another card from Grandma. Grandma's gift was a manicure and pedicure but, Claira opted for just the pedicure. She was thrilled! This was also something she had never done and couldn't  wait to experience, and once again, today was that day!


 12:30 pm

Next Stop: Surprise lunch with Dad! After the pedicure I mentioned having lunch at Noodles. She was excited about  Noodles, but said that she was sad that she hadn't gotten to see her Dad yet. As we pulled into the parking lot she noticed his truck and was so excited, "Mom! Dad is here! I'm so glad he is having lunch with me!!!!" I hate he didn't see that reaction.

Jay and I knew that we wanted to present Claira with a purity ring, but didn't want her to think that being pure meant not having sex. He wrote her the sweetest letter and read it to her at lunch explaining that he desires his daughter to have a pure heart for the rest of her life and then asked her to wear the ring if she was willing to accept the challenge of seeking purity in Christ the rest of her life. She accepted the ring and the challenge. This was the sweetest father/daughter moment.






2:00 pm

Claira is setting up her Facebook account.
After lunch Claira was so overwhelmed with everything she had experienced she wanted to just go home and take a nap.  But, then she decided that you only have your 13th Birthday once so she decided to make the most of it.

We ended up at Mama Carmen's for afternoon coffee and hot chocolate. It was really fun hanging out and setting up Claira's Facebook page. She was excited to finally have her very own facebook account, although, since she had been on instagram for a while I think it left little to be desired.




 4:00 pm

Women who follow Jesus are servants. I wanted to Claira and I to start her 13th year doing something to serve someone else. Since my parents had their fire only a few days before Claira's birthday we decided to head over to the thrift store and buy them some clothing to get them by. While at Potters House Thrift we talked with a few of our friends who worked there. After sharing with them why we were there they decided to donate $100 a free clothing to my parents! WOW! That goes a long way in a thrift store!! Claira and I had so much fun picking out clothing for my parents. It didn't all fit them, but they were so happy to have the stuff that did. Plus, a lot of it was really, really nice stuff.

7:00pm








How in the world do you end such a great day? THE MOVIES!!! Claira and I headed to Rogers to see Les Miserables. We were the only two in the entire theater. It was so much fun, talking, laughing and crying together.









What a wonderful day we had!!! It was just perfect!




Oh....we can't forget about the friend party!!!!!

Glow in the Dark Bowling. Music Videos and all!!!!  
 Jessica, Aaron, Claira & Katie Anne
This Birthday dessert was amazing: Chocolate Waffles with mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream!


Lake Wedington Hike 2013






Jay made my day!!! A few Sunday's ago we got home from church and he said, "Everyone, throw on some hiking clothes, we are taking Mom on a hike today!" It was so much fun. We drove through  Mickey D's and grabbed some lunch. (we never get McDonald's, so JT and Claira were thrilled!) The hike around Lake Wedington was beautiful and my love tank was so full I couldn't hardly breath!

Happy Easter, let's go bowling?! 2013

Since the fire we have chosen to go on outings to celebrate everything. It has actually been really fun! Who needs to hunt Easter Eggs when you can go bowling.
Claira & Nonna


 Aunt Christ with Lila & Madilyn


Aunt Lor & Coley. Uncle Nathan was there too, but for some reason I don't have a picture of him.

Aunt Debbie, Lila and Uncle Mark


Cody needing a little help!

Cody, Coley & JT


Claira & Poppa

 Claira you're glowing!

Little ones playing under the table.
 Me & Jay


Did I fail to mention...we also celebrated Lila' 5th Birthday!

Who knows, we may have just started a new family tradition.

PCCA Prom 2013


JT got the privilege of escorting, his friend, Rachel Shoppy to their 10th grade Masquerade Prom.
We borrowed Ken's Mercedes for the evening.

I made their boutonniere and corsage  out of paper flowers and antique jewelry.
Here JT is posing with his "Bond Girls" his best friends Lexi and Sarah.

 It was a fun, first Prom for everyone!

He drives...from booster seat to drivers seat.

When both the kids were just little and older women would come up to me and say, "Time really goes fast, in a blink of your eye they are all grown up." I don't think I had any idea that they were right. It really does seem like yesterday when we removed JT's booster seat from the car and let him be a "Big Boy", and just use the seat belt. 


JT, this picture was taken on Mother's Day. We are on our way to Grandma and Poppa Jerry's to celebrate. I had to capture you chauffeuring me around.


It's official!!! You have your licenses, you can now leave the house, on your own without a parent!
Crazy, but very exciting!!!! 



 I haven't been one of those "cry baby" Moms, but today my heart did race and my eyes filled with tears at the idea of you and Claira taking your first mini-road trip to see the McCollum's.  I think your Dad was taking it harder than me. Thanks for calling when you arrived
and for being safe. 

Kids remember- When you have your own children, you will hear me say,
"Time really goes fast, in a blink of your eye they are all grown up." 
You'll have to just trust that I know what I'm talking about!!

The Tallest Snoopy in the World

The Spring Musical for 2013 was You're a Good Man Charlie Brown and JT was selected to play snoopy. He did an incredible job! It was a great production, as always. He had lots of family and friends show up to see the performance.  Once again, I am so thankful for the opportunity JT has had to attend such a great school!