Yesterday, we had a new boy named Geoffrey leave the streets and join Agape, and Geoffrey brought some friends with him . . . JIGGERS! Don't get jiggers confused with chiggers (the little itchy red bugs) from the US. Jiggers are a type of flea that burrow under the skin, and they are nasty! Here's a good website to read more about them:
Now, I have a strong stomach, and I don't get queasy very easily. But, earlier today I saw jiggers for the first time, and I had to leave the room because it was so nasty. But, because of you, my loyal readers, I had to take a deep breath and take some photos to share. Please pray for Geoffrey as he recovers!!!
The female jigger burrows under the skin.
The flea then grows like a tick under the skin to the size of a pea.
To extract the jigger, the affected body part has to be soaked in a solution of alcohol, and then they are essentially dug out of the skin with tweezers.
Here's a photo of a jigger after it had been pulled from Geoffrey's foot. You crush them after you extract them like a tick. Pretty gross!!!
I usually give a couple of Agape's day students from Nyalenda (a slum near our house) a ride home from school. Here's a quick, random excerpt from part of our conversation on the way home:
Kids: So, in America, does everyone own a gun? (Note: you can't buy guns in Kenya; probably a good thing!)
Me: No, but a lot of people own guns in America.
Kids: Where do people get guns?
Me: Well, you can just go into the store like Nakumatt (kinda like Wal-Mart) and buy a gun.
Kids: Wow, can you kill people with the gun?
Me: Well, that's not why you buy the gun. Most people buy them to hunt animals.
Kids: Could you kill someone with the gun if the broke into your home?
Me: Yes, you could shoot someone then.
Kids: Can you shoot someone on the street?
Me: No, you can't shoot someone on the street, but if someone breaks into your house you can shoot them in your house.
Kids: Do you burn them after you shoot them? (Note: Usually, if someone is caught stealing in Kenya, they stone the person, then stack tires on top of the thief and burn him.)
Me: No, we don't burn people in America. The family would probably get the body back and bury it. I think it's good that Kenyans can't buy guns.
Kids: Why?
Me: Because, then there would be thugs running around in Kenya with guns robbing people.
Connor has found a new passion in life . . . visiting the babies at New Life Baby Home (
http://www.newlifehometrust.org/), an orphanage located near our home in Kisumu. New Life accepts babies from ages 0-3 months with a priority placed on HIV positive babies and babies with AIDS. New Life does an amazing job; please keep this ministry in your prayers!
Earlier today our friend, Mama Mae, took Connor to go love on the babies. Connor got to feed the babies, hold them, and put them down for a nap. She said that she wasn't ready to change their diapers yet. Here are a few photos!
Connor & Latecia
This is baby Darius. Darius was found three days ago in a pit latrine in a local slum. The mother had placed Darius in a sack and dropped the baby into the raw sewage under the floor of the "cho" (toilet). Amazingly, a man saw the bag and was able to fish it out of the sewage, because the sewage level was so high in the toilet. The man then took Darius to the police, who in turn brought Darius to New Life. The nurses are guessing that Darius was born on the 4th, because he only weighs about 3 or 4 lbs. Please keep Darius in your prayers!
Mama Mae, a chubby baby girl (not sure of her name), Connor, and Oliver (one of Connor's favorites). Mama Mae adopted one of her daughters from New Life about 9 years ago, so Connor's been lobbying us to do the same . . .
Happy (early) 6th Birthday Seth!!!! Seth's actual birthday is on July 2nd (Monday), but we went ahead and held his party today so that all of his friends could join us. And what better way to celebrate than a Star Wars Pool Party!!!
Happy Birthday Seth!!!
The Cake Boss begins his masterpiece . . .
All fifteen of us piled in the car to head to the pool. Traffic laws are a little lax in Kenya; when we're in town, we rarely are able to drive faster than 20 mph.
Happy Birthday Seth!!!
Tammy bought 20 cheap water guns from a street vendor in town; they were a hit!!!
Lyla is all set to jump in (and shoot bad guys at the same time)!
Florence, her niece, Farida, and her daughter, Mae. We all liked their matching Tinker Bell skirts.
Byron, Lyla, & Seth
Charlie, Douglas, Lyla, Jack, and Chris fill up their water guns!
Chris and Sutton assault each other in the pool.
Farida, Jasmine, Mae, and Charlie fight to get into and out of the pool.
Charlie's Angels - Miriam, Connor, & Esther
Abraham, Kevin, and Douglas
One final photo of the Millenium Falcon prior to destruction.
Seth, Martin, and Connor
Martin and Seth play with Star Wars figures before eating cake.
Everyone getting ready for "Happy Birthday."
"Happy Birthday to Seth . . . "
Seth blowing out his candles.
Mae, Farida, and Lyla enjoying their cake.
Esther, Miriam, and Connor
Kevin and Abraham
George chillin' out!
Jasmine and Grace
Lyla (with cake all over her face)
Playing on the playground
(and yes, Tammy actually made it into this photo; you can kind of see her by the slide).
We've added a new feature to Agape's website in order to provide friends with a small glimpse into the background of the boys who leave the streets to come to the Agape campus. Here's the link if you'd like to follow future updates. Thanks for your prayers for these boys; God Bless!!!
Even though Tammy is busy full-time home schooling our kids, she inevitably has gotten involved with Agape's primary school. Most recently, she has been assisting the lower grade teachers with their English reading programs, helping with the provision of text books, teaching aids, and classroom manipulatives.
Last week, we had the opportunity to have all of the teachers over to our house for a lunch of fried kuku (chicken), ugali (hard grits), rice, tomato gravy, cabbage, and, of course, ice cream for dessert. An awesome time of fun and fellowship . . .
Chowing down on some ice cream after a big lunch.
Everyone grabbing seconds of ice cream before heading out the door.
A big smile from Jackson . . . we all had to rush back, because the teachers had to teach afternoon classes.
