This was supposed to be the final lesson in the Joseph Study...

Sign in Pastor's James' office...

We spent some minutes with Pastor James - the 'father' here at St. Catherine's Children's Home - going over a list of names given to Denise...these are the kids who are slated to attend the youth camp in August...but - it seems some of these kids are not old enough - hmmm...

Then we found the kids!  Here Ismael is receiving a gift on behalf of all the boys...and Denise is presenting on behalf of Brian - a young man who had just left for the states earlier that week...

These girls are laughing because the boys next to them got very excited about the new clothes - until they were told the clothes would be too big for them...

 Ismael could not resist a peek into the bag...

 Since the class 8 kids were doing exams this day, we decided to postpone the final study until the following Saturday...

 ...but I love that the kids came prepared to learn!

Their disappointment was soon assuaged as Denise handed out mandazi (donut-like pastry) which were intended for the 'celebration'...I think the kids are pretty happy!

Then Denise shared a bit of Brian's story (the boy who left the clothes behind when he went to the states)...He was an orphan just like them...on an island which has been devastated by the Aids virus.

By God's grace he and his best friend, Hemstone, were befriended by an American boy visiting with his parents.  The parents are very wealthy and had started a community center on that island...

The parents of that young boy felt God urging them to take care of these two boys by providing an education through High School and now bringing them to the US to attend college.

Brian has a dream to become a doctor and return to his home in Kenya to make a difference and give back to his community...this is a message of hope to these kids. 

Brian's life is a miracle performed by God coupled with hard work on his part; to get good grades and excel in his schooling.  I got a glimpse of what is possible in each of the lives represented around the table...

 Ismael then led us in a sweet prayer of gratitude to the good God that we serve...

 We thoroughly enjoyed our short visit with these precious kids!