Julius

Julius is our Kenyan friend. He's 36-ish and lives in America for 6 months out of the year, and goes back to Kenya for the other 6. He's been doing this for about 4 years.

Julius loves our kids and smiles the biggest smile when he sees them, even when our 2 year old Griffin gets startled, jumps, and runs out of the room when he hasn't seen his dark Kenyan buddy in awhile. ;) Julius calls Griffin "sir." He politely stands by his chair & won't sit at my kitchen table until I'm seated. He always wants to know how I am, and he doesn't judge our family because we live abundantly different than he can in his hometown. He is the most grateful and simple person I may ever know.

Tonight at our family's kitchen table Julius told my girls he has never had electricity in his home, and has to go outside to go to the bathroom. He told them the PRIVILEGED kids in Kenya get to eat only breakfast and dinner everyday, consisting of Ugali, a type of bread. They couldn't believe it. He is the firstborn son in his family and the caretaker of everyone, as his father passed away when he was 14. Julius works hard. He doesn't complain. He has learned to be a competitive runner to win money for his entire family, & sister Caro, who has 5 kids and nothing to offer them.

By the end of the night Griff wanted to hug his buddy and the girls wanted to know when he'd be back. :)
Tonight we were blessed by our friend and learned more about Africa, the family structure, and the insane number of kids who need help and homes. We are ready for the day we will bring our little son home.