Food Purchase in Githurai

Last week I went to the market in Githurai to buy the food products we will need in the Kasarani workshop. This food should provide for the next month’s meals. So we bought in bulk. Tons of potatoes, tomatoes, rice, ugali flour, and beans. Luckily, I went there with Eunice, one of Jimani’s jewelry makers, and Mama Morean, our cook. They both were oh-so-helpful when negotiating the price and finding the best quality produce. This was the first time I had been there so I was very thankful for those two to introduce me to the market. 

Eunice and Mama Morean are pictured here as 

they choose which tomatoes to buy. 

I loved learning how to pick which food items you want in such a large flurry of a market. We wanted to purchase Wairimu beans, but there were three types (see right side of the picture). Mama Morean showed me how she decided on which type of beans we wanted: by putting her hand in the sacks of beans in the photo and feeling for the right texture. Can you guess which one was chosed? Mama Morean decided on the Wairimu Kisii beans, the perfect match.

At the end of the day, we had such a large quantity of stuff that we couldn’t carry it all. Instead, we paid one of the market workers approximately $0.50 (USD) to carry the majority of it (maize, rice, AND produce) on his shoulders to where we needed to go. What a lifesaver! I definitely wouldn't have been able to carry all of that.

What an experience that market was!

First week of Training

This has been such a momentous week. May 12th was a day to remember for James 127 Foundation in Kenya. Many days and weeks of preparation led up to this moment, our first day of our training program. Monday was the very first day of training. It went as smoothly as we hoped it would. Pictured at the top of this post are: the large beginning meeting with the staff, J127 Foundation board members, trainers, and trainees. Catherine Oduor, our Kenyan board member, started us off with a wonderful exhortation, encouraging us to join together in unity with God and asking Him to bless the work of our hands as we start a new chapter of opportunity through the training program.

Even after the first day, I was encouraged. Though we are still getting used to the routine and schedule, I have confidence that God will work in this training program to change lives for the better and unify each person involved in the training. Amos and Jessica, our trainers, said they have already enjoyed getting to know each student on an individual level.

 We have started each and every morning by singing several songs, led by the ladies of Jimani (jewelry company) and Judith & James (clothing company).

We also have a time of devotional and prayer time after that. The ladies in the training program or jewelry/clothing companies will share a short spiritual message depending on the Lord's leading.

What a great way to start the day! I especially love that this is not primarily led by us mzungus (foreigners) but by the ladies themselves. It is a beautiful testimony to witness.

At the end of the day of training, we all share lunch together, prepared by our cook Mama Morean. It is a wonderful time of food and fellowship after a day of learning and training.

This is time where all of the 17 trainees, 2 trainers, and 6 ladies in Jimani/Judith & James can get a chance to know one another outside of the classroom. These are women from different tribes, tough backgrounds, and living situations but they can all come together as one body of believers in Christ. Amen!

Pictured on the right are many of the ladies eating together outside. This meal consisted of rice and potatoes. Throughout the week we also eat a variety of other local Kenyan food such as ugali and sukuma wiki or githiri (beans and maize mixed together).


This has been a great first week of training. The students have already eagerly been learning a lot. And are looking forward to what is to come in the next months. 

Giving Sewing Machines

This past week, before the new training program starts, we gave twelve sewing machines to past graduated trainees from our sewing training program. All of the ladies were ever SO happy and thankful to be given a sewing machine. One lady said, "we are jobless because we have no machine" but all that will change for each of these women. "It will help bring them good work." My heart was touched to hear that the ladies plan to use their sewing skills to help other needy people and orphans in their community because they were given help to gain the knowledge to sew. 

Pastor Oscar, Judith's pastor and our help with transporting ladies/sewing machines to their houses, gave a wonderful prayer over the women, J127, and the sewing machines. 

Then each of the twelve ladies were given an opportunity to test both the sewing machines and their sewing skills. The huge smiles on their faces were priceless as each person took their turn testing it out.

They were all so grateful to receive such a huge blessing. All the ladies insisted on singing a few songs of praise to show their thanks before they left for home. "Mbari Kiwe sana"- Be very blessed was the first song they sang to us. 

We then loaded the machines and tables in the truck to be loaded and drop off each of the ladies at their homes. We as a Foundation have greatly blessed each and every one of these ladies. My prayer is that these women will now have divine strength and power to use the sewing skills and materials they have to provide for their families and communities. 

Training Preparation

I having been working hard to prepare for the upcoming J127 Foundation's sewing training.

Furniture has been purchased! check ✔

The trainer has been chosen ✔

The students have all been decided and interviewed. ✔

With two more days until the official start of the training, I am looking forward to all that God has in store for us in this new training session. Please be praying that all goes smoothly in the start of both jewelry and sewing training. Especially on Monday that all students will arrive on time and that the Spirit of the Lord will be in the hearts of everyone involved in the training in Nairobi.