Daniel Kiiru is the manager / COO / liaison to Kenya culture for Springs of Hope Kenya, the orphanage where I will be serving along with our Kenya Missions team in less than 2 weeks. Here’s an account of what happened from my pastor, Douglas Poole who is in Kenya right now:
On Saturday night his wife Nora went to a mid-wife birthing center to deliver their second child. After giving birth the mid-wives were unable to stop her bleeding and she had to be taken to a hospital. There is only one ambulance in Nakuru and it was in use across town. So Daniel had to pile his weakening wife into the SOHK van along with his newborn girl and 7 year old son David and drive to a hospital. By the time they arrived she had lost so much blood her veins had collapsed and they were unable to insert a needle to give her blood. In her final moments she asked Daniel to pray…he did and then she slipped into the presence of the Lord.
L-R: Victor, Paul, and Daniel in East Pocot, Kenya
Jennifer and I had the chance to spend quite a bit of time with Daniel when we were in Kenya 2 years ago. He used to be a truck driver running contraband across Kenya, but God got ahold of his life and now he’s all about God, his family, and the orphans at Springs of Hope.
When we were in Kenya 2 years ago, Daniel drove us everywhere on Kenya’s semi-paved roads. He fixed the van when we broke down in the middle of nowhere. He speaks 3 languages and was our translator everywhere we went, including hospital as we talked and prayed with people dying of AIDS. It’s safe to say Springs of Hope would not be what it is today without Daniel.
Douglas put out an S.O.S. for some financial help.
On top of the emotional burden Daniel will face a financial burden that is way too big for him to carry. He will face a bill from the hospital in addition to the birthing center, funeral expenses, and the demand of a dowry from Nora’s family. This may be hard to understand in our American culture but a dowry is usually paid when a couple comes together…and Daniel did not do this, which has been a bone of contention with Nora’s family. Add to this they come from different tribes which only compounds the issue. Now her parents have the power to take the children from Daniel unless they get their money.
My heart just breaks for Daniel. I can’t imagine what he must be going through. Please join me in praying for Daniel, his son David, and baby Grace.
If you would like to help Daniel and his family, you can donate online. Any amount over the immediate expenses Daniel is facing will go towards a nanny so he can stay fully engaged in serving the kids and staff at Springs of Hope.
Thanks!