A Hope For Maisha

posted by Clifton Lewis @ 11:32pm, Sunday 15 April 2012.


Chuck Lewis with one of the little girls at Maisha


Sometimes you have those moments in life where something just clicks.  You know the moments I’m talking about, you might refer to them as “light bulb” moments.  Lewis RV became involved with an organization named the Maisha International Orphanage just a few short months ago.  Every since we have become involved with this organization we have a had several of the above mentioned moments.  However, with the Maisha National Orphanage those “light bulb” moments quickly turned to blessings.  When we started this venture we didn’t know how deeply you could become involved with someone half a world away.  We don’t know how quickly you could fall in love with a child who you had talked to for mere seconds.  


Picture of some of the children at Omungi Public School


The Lewis family was blessed when they had the opportunity to go to the orphanage on a mission trip with their church. Through out this article are a few pictures and some stories about the children they met at the orphanage.  As you look through these pictures please keep your heart open to ways that you may be able to help.  Whether it is through donations, time, advocacy, or prayers helping others always makes a difference.  We don’t always see the differences we make but they are still there.




Classroom at Omungi Public School


Maisha International’s vision is to bring hope to the hopeless and light to the darkness.  They want to inspire people to help people and strengthen communities by finding lasting solutions to stop poverty, hunger and disease.  They are trying to make a difference in an area plagued by poverty and disease.



Home life in a village near Maisha 


Maisha provides as many resources for the community as possible.  Children at the shelter receive nutrition they would not otherwise have access to.  They have access to receive a basic education, and if they receive a sponsor they also have the opportunity to further their education.  They receive clothing and shelter if needed.  Maisha is also in the process of building a clinic so that they people in the orphanage and village can have access to the medical attention they so desperately need.



Maisha Clinic construction

I would like to take a quick moment to tell you a little bit about Giftone.  Giftone is one of the children that Lewis RV sponsors.  He is a fifteen year old boy that has dream’s almost as big as his heart.  Giftone has has been living at Maisha in a small room shared by 15 boys.  He studies hard, keeps to him self, and dreams of what lies ahead.  Giftone’s goal in life is to continue on with his education and become a mechanical engineer and create a better life for his people.  Because of the Maisha International Orphanage Giftone has had a roof over his head and food in his stomach.  He has been able to continue attending school and strive for his dreams.  And just this month he received the VERY EXCITING news of being excepted into Boarding School.  This is an amazing blessing and a a huge step forward for Giftone.



Liz Lewis and Giftone


Giftone has lived his entire childhood 30 minutes from the active town of Kisumu.  Although he had lived so close he had never been to town.  Here are some picks of his first experiences in a town the size of Oklahoma City with roughly 5 million people (and you thought our traffic was bad).  Below are a few photos from Giftone’s first visit to the big city!



Giftone experiencing his first milk shake (he had never heard of ice cream)



Giftone trying on his school uniform for the first time


To read more about Giftone’s background and how Maisha International has given him hope for his future please visit http://maishainternational.org/blog/?p=344


Below is a photo of Grace, she is one of the many children that we fell in love with while we were at the orphanage.  She is holding a plate of beans and hominy.  This is the one meal that the children receive each and every day.  The older children receive a large portion (the amount that is on Grace’s plate) and the smaller children receive a small scoop.  



Grace with her beans and hominy


Maisha International Orphanage and the children that live there have found a special place in our hearts.  If you are interested in learn more about this organization or would like to know how you can get involved please let us know.  We would be glad to connect you with this orphanage.  We will also be collecting crocs (the outdoor shoes) to send to the village this summer.  If you would like to donate a pair of crocs for these children please bring them to our office at 1600 E. Reno.  Thank you for your time in reading this blog (I know it was longer than most).  Please keep this organization and the children in your prayers.





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GREATER ADIRONDACKS

posted by Clifton Lewis @ 4:24pm, Sunday 11 March 2012.


Well, so I might be a wee bit biased….I know what you are thinking….What on earth is a Yankee doing in these parts????   Yeah, ya might say I am a "transplant" in this neck of the woods but it is all good.  Like a dandelion seed being carried in the winds I find myself having drifted to Oklahoma which is where I have put down my roots.  With this being said, however, one never forgets growing up in the pristine, majestic Adirondack Mountains.   

I grew up witnessing nature all around me with parents who took my two brothers and I hiking, camping, swimming and appreciating the "Great Outdoors"…Oh and lets not forget the skiing!!  In upper State NY we experienced a true four seasons and winter was my favorite.   Every winter we went both downhill alpine skiing as well as cross country skiing and even did some crazy snowshoeing from time to time.  In no time at all, I found myself racing in both cross country and alpine skiing and pursuing ski school as well.  My parents always made sure we were involved in at least one sport per season and winter's sport was skiing.   I must confess it has been YEARS now since I have been on a pair of skis but it is like riding a bicycle…one never forgets how.  

So how does this Yankee feel about working at Lewis RV Center and how on earth does this tie into selling RVS?????   Well, its the nature lover in me and the insatiable desire to travel and instill that in others which lands me here.  I am one of those "natural born teachers" who likes to educate and help others learn new things so it is fun to help others realize their dreams of being able to "make memories happen".   So many people want to travel and get out into nature…yet they cannot afford to stay for several nights at hotels incurring the expense of gas, food, etc.  Owning an RV becomes a personal investment which people can make and they can make memories happen.  

If there is one word of wisdom I have learned in this lifetime it is this:  LLMM!!!  LIVE LIFE and MAKE MEMORIES!!!!!   Life is too short not to be happy and surround yourself with family and friends while appreciating all the natural beauty life has to offer us.

Article Written by Jennifer Begansky



Jennifer is new to our team and we are thrilled to have her.  It is easy to see that Jennifer's family means everything to her and she loves how camping give families the opportunity to grow together.  Jennifer adds a love-able, kind hearted spunk to our dealership.  If you are in the area stop by and meet Jennifer and see if you can work some more of that Yankee out of her :)

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Robbers Cave...A wonderful destination close to home

posted by Clifton Lewis @ 7:57pm, Saturday 4 February 2012.


     Robbers Cave State Park has a wonderful history and is fun for the whole family.  Whether you like to hike, photograph beautiful scenery, or relive tales from the wild wild west Robbers Cave has something for you.  There are eight thousand acres including 3 lakes so there is never a shortage of fun.  We had fun camping on several camping trips with the Oklahoma Travelers Club.  In my opinion, the best time to camp at Robbers Cave is in the middle of summer.  The caves feel about 20 degrees cooler and are fun to explore this time of year.  While our family was there we enjoyed riding horses and always made sure we could get some good fishing time in our trip.

     Ours sons enjoyed learning the history of Robbers Cave and the tale of Jesse James.  The Ouachita Mountains were wild and rugged back in the 1800's and the people that manage the State Park love to talk to the children about the gold and silver that has been hidden in the caves for so many years.  The caves are said to be 40 feet back and have a clear spring that runs through them.  Robbers cave is just four miles north of Wilberton on State Hwy 2.  

    The camping club always picked that area to camp in every July because there was so much to do and the difference in the climate around the caves.  We enjoyed having pot-lucks and eating at nearby restaurants.  In 2002 Robbers Cave was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Boy Scout of America Owns owns 120 acres of land nearby plus the wildlife management is also there.  Deer, wild turkey and quail can be found in the park.  Our family suggests that you plan a trip to Robbers Cave no matter were you may be from.  We have owned campers and camped with our family for over 20 years, it truly is the best time of your life being away from everyday distractions and enjoying nature and your children!


Article Written By Diane Pilgrim


     Diane has been selling RV's since 1989.  One of her favorite hobbies, and some of her best memories, are camping with her family.  Diane has been with Lewis RV Center since 2010.  We are very blessed to have her as a part of our team.  We all think of Diane as the "mom" of Lewis RV because she is always so loving and thoughtful with everyone she meets.  

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