Jane's Visit to Rainbow House

September 2011. My very first visit to Rainbow House, and this is what I found…

Amidst the poverty, sickness, darkness and witchcraft of the interior of Gede shines a beacon of HOPE and LIGHT. Happy, healthy, well fed, LOVED children.

THIS IS RAINBOW HOUSE. 35 lively children enjoy the surroundings of this well run Christian environment.

Lynda has learnt through trial, error and prayer over the past 12 years how best to run a ‘tight ship’ Kenyan style. She is ably assisted by Jennifer the live in matron, who is also a qualified teacher. Jennifer is a delightful, godly Kenyan woman with a passion for the ongoing work at Rainbow House. Together Lynda and Jennifer work hard to take Rainbow House forward.

The latest member of staff is Morris. A local Giriama man, whose role is to help Lynda with the mountains of paperwork that the Kenyan government provides.
He is also a social worker, and works closely with the children through their many problems. These children have suffered in many ways.

Baby Lynda, baby Jennifer, Heyho, George and Mahenzo would all have died if Rainbow House had not taken them in and cared for them.

Several of the older boys would now be in prison – not because they are bad,
but because they and their younger siblings were so hungry they were forced to steal food to survive. Many of the girls would have been forced into prostitution. NOW - ALL HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

Initially Morris was employed 3 days a week, but his work has proved invaluable so he is now full-time.

The nursery school continues to grow, attracting more and more children from the surrounding area. Their parents are encouraged by the results of the Rainbow House children attending Gede School, who are always top of their classes.

Without nursery education, where basic reading, writing, English and Swahili are taught, the children cannot progress into primary education.

At present a 5year plan is in place for every child and for Rainbow House.
We expect that at least one more classroom will be required at some time in the future.

In the meantime we have the continuing struggle to finance the day to day running of the home. Food and wages are top of a very long and seemingly never ending list.

All monies donated go straight to Rainbow House. NOTHING is diverted for admin costs. Even Lynda herself is not paid by Rainbow House. She is a registered charity in her own right and can be supported separately.

Lynda plays an active role in the leadership of Gede PEFA church. PEFA stands for Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa.
The children attend Sunday school and stay on for Morning Worship.
Kate and I had the pleasure and privilege of attending this lively, God-fearing, Bible- based church, and speaking to the congregation through a translator. A challenging experience, especially for the translator!

Many who attend this church don’t have Bibles because they cannot read or write. But they are hearing the word of God preached.

On our second visit, the service, which was held outside – IN THE SHADE – we were invited to stay on for a fellowship meal, which had been put on especially for us. They very kindly catered for the English digestive system and taste.

Every evening at Rainbow House, all the children and live-in members of staff join together for a time of lively worship. They celebrate with songs, dancing and prayers.

Having seen Rainbow House, met the staff and enjoyed interacting with the children, I would say that Rainbow House and Lynda are much deserving of our prayers and financial support.

God has set Lynda what we might consider an impossible task, but she has taken up His challenge prayerfully. Trusting in HIS strength, and HIS power.

As St. Augustine said:
Without God - we cannot
Without us - God will not.

Kate and I had a wonderful visit to Lynda and Rainbow House. Getting to know the children made all the organising and travelling very worthwhile. God willing, Kate and I will return next year. I wish it could be sooner!

Jane x