Van Drunens

On June 14, 2007, Charles and I traveled with some of our family and 34 others to Kenya, Africa, to be guests of and serve the Charles Mulli's Chidren Family.

It was only after reading Mulli's book, A Father to the Fatherless, did we realize the opportunity to walk in the shadow of one who, like Jesus' disciples, gave up all to follow him.

While there, we learned bits of the African culture and several words in Swahili. We taught, talked with, and played with the children. They lead us in praise and worship. They asked us many questions and answered ours. Their hearts were warm towards us and we easily loved them.
Respect. They demonstrated respect in every situation toward everyone. For example, several of us were invited into the classrooms of the high school. The 4:00 bell of dismissal was rung. Not one student stood to leave. The teacher was still in the middle of instruction for one of the math problems. They finished their notes. Then they could leave.
Care. Each cares for the others. All the children were out to play soccer, volleyball, basketball, or gather in groups to braid hair or just watch. In soccer, it was MCF vs. Ada Bilbe, Charles was a goalie. I stood by to chat with the children and as I did, I observed the silent interchange between a little boy and an older one. The younger had taken off his flipflops only to have the bottoms of his feet covered with prickers (the soccer field could use some irrigation!). He leaned into the older boy. Without a word, impatience, or disapproval, the older boy picked off each sticky pricker and returned the little boy's foot into his flipflop. Swithching feet, the process was repeated for the second foot. This done, they continued watching the game.
As we straggled off the play fields towards the children's dorms, two four year olds walking hand in hand with me, suddenly broke into song, "Now is the time to worship".
The soccer team is a national winner. The Karate team is a national winner. Their students test out of high school ranked top in the nation. Several are able to attend university.