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Published: March 22nd 2010
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HOREC'S kitchen
A new kitchen is in the planning stages for HOREC. Some people ask me what took this small town West Virginia girl across the oceans to Romania then to Kenya. What would make me leave the comforts of the USA in exchange for frustrations that come from living in a nation that is not first world, nor my own?
There were a number of factors; the need for adventure, the desire to learn about other cultures, the yearning to see more than small town WV, the sprouting of seeds that were sown at a young age and, last but not least, a calling. Those sprouting seeds were those of compassion for those less fortunate, for orphans with no families to call their own, and seeds of faith that people can make a difference when we so choose.
While living in the country we had two television stations along with the adventure of the woods to keep us entertained. When my sister and I would tire of playing outside we would check out what was on the television. At times the programs were limited and one would be stuck between watching a sports show or programs put on by World Vision or other humanitarian organizations. The latter of these would
Caring hearts
Christine's biological children often volunteer their time and love at the orphanage to help Christine's "other" children. win over a televised golf game any day as I was sure watching golf would create permanent damage from the amount of boredom it could create in my little head.
The pictures of the hungry children immediately captured my attention as well as my heart. As I sat watching the program while eating my Little Debbie snack cakes I knew something was not right. I realized that these children did not have cakes, or much food for that matter. And, not only did they not have daily food and water, but many of them had no parents. Even though I was a small girl I understood that the skinny little children with desperation in their eyes really needed someone to help and love them.
Alongside the television I also had the example of generous parents. At least twice a year my mom would make us clean out our dressers and closets in order to take that which we did not use to those who had need. During holidays my mom would volunteer with organizations that would gather toys and needed items to donate to needy families. Due to me being the youngest child of four I often got
Protection
Many sponsors through ITHM provided the funding for security walls and razor wire to help the security of the children. to attend these events alongside her while my siblings were at school. Not that my motives were not selfish…I got the benefit of even playing with some of the toys before they were boxed up. That, at the time, was very important in my book.
Being young and not knowing exactly how to help people I desired to grow up to be a….clown. Some would dare say that I achieved that goal. As I grew and changed and understood the world a little better I changed my aspirations to become a nurse. I thought it was a grand plan until I went to biology class in college. Upon becoming nauseous from our discussions on breaking bones it took me only one class session to figure out that again I needed to choose a different profession. I switched over to Social Work and found that learning to work with people, problems and solutions was a good fit.
Just before entering college at the “grown up” age of 18 I saw a video about the plight of the orphaned children of ex-communist Romania. The captions I saw of how the children were treated were the most deplorable images I had
ever seen; naked girls being huddled into a fenced area and being sprayed with a hose for their “showers” and children tied to their cribs. The footage of twelve year old children that were the size of two year old babies, due to neglect and malnutrition only fueled the fire in my heart to make a difference. I was ready to jump on an airplane and go rescue these innocent, maltreated children.
My parents had other ideas.
They decided I should first get an education on how to help them. Considering I had no money of my own and no plan I had to listen and go to college instead of halfway across the world.
Thank God for wise parents!
I endured college and even enjoyed some of it all the while with the desire burning in my heart to go help the children. Graduation happened, work, then the opportunity to get on a plane to get to the country that I thought about for the previous 4 ½ years. The rest is history…I lived there for the better part of seven years working with orphaned and abandoned children. I headed back to America suffering serious
Security Wall
The wall stretches around the perimeter of the home, helping the children feel safe from further break ins. burn out. That came from a number of factors, one major one being not knowing how to focus on just a few needs and not getting overwhelmed by the great number.
Healing happened; I enjoyed the benefits of the USA such as great food, opportunities, family, friends, rodeo, and other fun and enjoyable creature comforts. As time passed shoots of that root of compassion starting sprouting once again and I knew I wanted to reach out to those who had much greater need than anyone I had ever come across. Some would ask me why I would go overseas when there were needs in the states. To me it was obvious that in the states we have SO many wonderful churches and organizations established to help those locally. There are many generous people and a good number of volunteers as well.
I believe our neighbors are not only those who live next door but those who live in the next nation….they are people that have goals and aspirations, just not the infrastructure to get the needed assistance. I knew if I got to the need that I could be a conduit to get the assistance that people wanted
to send to those who so desperately required it.
The door opened to come to Kenya and for the last four years I have been able to continue to see those sprouts grow into the fulfillment of a dream by a little country girl. I get to assist children of all ages that have been robbed of a future by having their parents die, being chased from their homes due to political unrest, who have acquired diseases, who are hungry, and who want to learn but have no money to be permitted in schools.
I also get to partner with many generous individuals that also have those strong roots of compassion to help these children but do not always have the possibility to come. Together we are making a difference: educating minds, feeding bellies, assisting with medical treatment, aiding in the development of other ministries that are expanding the number of children they serve, all the while offering the fruit of love through all of these actions.
As I get ready to have my first child I realize that seeds that are sown early in his little life will make an impact as he grows. For that
reason, even though I miss the USA, I think it may not be a bad thing that he is born in Kenya. He will have many opportunities to be generous and to help those around him, as well as grow up around people that maybe are poor financially but are rich in joy.
If you would like to assist with any of the ministries I work with: educating teenage girls, supporting an orphanage, feeding the hungry, providing for a school (all written about in my other blogs); Please send your tax deductible support to:
ITHM
23223 S. Warmstone Way
Katy, Texas 77494
*For those outside of the USA that want to assist, please contact me and we can get you banking details.
With love and gratitude,
Jennifer and Johnny Lawrence
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sandra keytel
non-member comment
i have seen it
I had the privileged to visit HOREC a few times. Christine is doing an amazing job and so is Jennifer. Jennifer not only provide financial guidance but also have a sympathetic ear and walks in wisdom. Christine is making a difference in her community! Sandra