I am looking at the tables set with care and the faces of our beautiful children, radiant with the joy of Christmas. It is a profound emotion to be gathered here, finally inside our own building. Yet, as I wipe the sweat from my brow in the heat of the day, I am reminded that while we are in the home, our work on the home is not yet finished. We are celebrating a massive milestone, but we are doing so while living in the reality of an ongoing construction site.
Celebrating Progress and Tradition
This season, we achieved something remarkable: we celebrated our very first Christmas physically residing in the EKMOI building. Even though we have not completed every construction task, the home is alive with laughter and prayer.
We were joined by friends, family, and Pastor Andrew Kaggle to share a feast that the children helped prepare. It was a joy to watch them take ownership of the day:
The Menu: We enjoyed a hearty, traditional meal of fried rice with sausages, chicken wings, rice sticks, rice cake, rice bread, fried potatoes, and plantains. As we joked during the meal, it was “carbohydrates, carbohydrates, carbohydrates,” which is the perfect fuel for growing children to run around and play!
Life Skills: The children were an intricate part of the cooking process. They are not just residents here; they are learning life skills intellectually, spiritually, and practically that will serve them forever.
You can see the joy of our celebration and a glimpse of our beautiful meal in the video below:
More Than Just Shelter
Our mission at EKMOI has always been to provide more than just a roof; we are creating an environment where souls can prosper. As we gathered to eat, we emphasized that the true meaning of the day isn’t found in the food on the table or the clothes on our backs, but in the knowledge of who we are in Christ and the sacrifice made for us 2,000 years ago.
However, living in the structure now gives us a front-row seat to the daily necessities. We are ensuring these children have a sense of dignity and belonging, but we are also acutely aware of the unfinished elements around us. Every night we sleep here is a victory, but it also highlights the specific repairs and finishes still required to make this home fully secure, functional, and comfortable for the year ahead.
A Legacy Built Together
We are building this legacy together. To our friends in the United States, to Elgen, and to every partner who has contributed: this celebration was possible because of you. During our gathering, we took a specific moment to pray for you. As Pastor Andrew blessed the food, he also asked for tremendous blessings upon those who donate and support this vision.
We are already living the mission. Now, we must finish the home.
