As most you know already, I am no longer in Kenya. Through a series of somewhat unfortunate events, I am now continuing my internship at the Inner City Mission in Springfield IL. This works out well, because I will be working with the homeless and really utilizing my degree in Community Development. I'm very excited about this opportunity and I can definitely see God working through these circumstances. I am living with my dear friend, Heather Crocker, in Springfield. And it is only a couple of blocks from the Mission. So that is an added bonus. Thank you all so much for your prayers and your support. They have been greatly needed and I know that God has been answering these prayers. I will continue to update this blog, although it will be a lot easier to communicate with everyone now :)
Visiting the people in their homes is quite an experience. Half the time I don't understand what is being said, so I simply observe what's going on and what is around me. I really wish I had some pictures of what these people call home. The pictures wouldn't do it justice, but maybe you would get a tiny understanding of just how poor these people are living. They live in tiny tin shacks, where the walls are covered with almost anything: newspapers, blankets, sheets, plastic bags, etc. Whatever can be used is used. There is usually a bed, maybe two, a couch, some chairs, a table, some old clothes, a few dishes... the barest of bare. And usually families of about 5 or more live here. And the saddest thing that I learned is that these people are paying rent to live there. These slums, where people are struggling to survive and living in the worst possible conditions, have to pay to live this way. It's outrageous. It's a tragedy. And it breaks my heart. These are the observations that I have made. And they will forever be with me. On one home visit, I wassitting there listening to the social worker talk to this mother, when I kept hearing this clucking sound. And it sounded so close, but I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. And then I looked down... and nearly screamed. There was a chicken under the table, right there by my feet. I thought for sure it was going to start pecking at my legs. And it struck me as so funny, because no one was even paying any attention. Did nobody notice that there was a chicken in this house... and under the table?! Anyway, there's a fun, light-hearted story to go along with all the sadness. And that's the way it is. We have to laugh, we have to be joyous in times when there is such great sorrow. Otherwise, how do we cope. I love this Valley. And I love these people! And, I suppose, I even love that they have chickens under their tables!
This week has been a very long week. I can’t believe I’ve only been here for 7 days now. It feels like I’ve been here for a month already. I have learned so much in these past few days. I think I have learned at least 5 new phrases in Swahili each day. I’ve seen the ministry here and it’s amazing. This week I have been working with CHE and we have been doing home visits, meeting with the CHE committees in different villages, and also going to the different Centers to observe what is going on there. It has been great work, and it has been very tiring and emotionally draining.
A few days ago we went to visit this mother of two in a village called Kosovo. Her oldest son, Simon, has some major disabilities and we went to her house to encourage her and to pray with her. Simon has gone blind, he cannot walk, the left side of his body is almost completely paralyzed, and he has a very hard time talking- it’s very difficult to understand him. The saddest part about the whole situation is that just a year ago Simon was a normal boy, playing with is friends, going to school, and doing the things that normal children can do. Simon got sick with meningitis a year ago, and because his family is so poor, he was never able to get proper medical care. All of his problems could have been avoided if only his mother had the money. But now she must watch as her son deteriorates day by day, knowing that something could have been done for him, but she was unable to provide.
As we went into the tiny shack, Simon was sitting on his mother’s lap. We started talking with her, just trying to encourage her, when all of a sudden Simon started talking. Of course, it was very difficult to understand him. But he said that he wanted to pray for us, and he told us to bow our heads. After he was finished praying, he lifted up his voice and began singing a worship song to God. It was one of the most powerful and humbling experiences I have ever witnessed. This 8 year old boy who understands that his body is falling apart more and more each day, was praising our God. Simon had the whole room in tears. Here we had come to offer our words of encouragement, and little Simon was the one encouraging us.
I wish that I would have gotten a picture of this amazing little boy, his mother, and their terrible living conditions. Everyone ought to know how this family- and all of the families in the Mathare Slums are living. After leaving Simon and his mother that afternoon, I asked the CHE workers if anything could be done for Simon now—if he were taken to the doctor right now, is there anything that could be done for him. And they told me yes. He might never ever get his sight back again, but if he were taken to a good doctor, he would definitely lead a normal life. And the sad reality is that he will never lead a normal life because he is too poor to get the proper care that he needs.
Simon’s story is not uncommon. In fact, I visited countless homes where the disabled children could all become healthy again if only they were given medical attention. But they are all too poor. It is a crisis. And it is so devastating to watch.
Being here in Nairobi and working among these people is very trying. I love them and I want to offer all that I can to them, but what I have is so little compared to the great need that is here.
But there is hope. The ministry going on here is so big and it reaches throughout all of the MathareValley. People’s lives are being changed, their living conditions are improving, children are being educated and fed. It is an awesome sight to see.
Even though it’s hard to take all of this in, I am glad that I have been here to see what is going on in this place. It is a huge learning experience, it is very humbling.
Thanks again to everyone for all of their prayers. I have really needed them this week. It has been a very emotional time for. But I really appreciate all of the emails, and the comments and of course the prayers.
Well, I finally made it to Nairobi late last night. Sadly though, my luggage didn't have the same luck as I did. But soon we will be reunited! Traveling here was hectic and bizarre... and it's quite miraculous that I even made it! For one, my flight to Chicago was canceled because of the snow. I flew to Minneapolis, and there realized that the flight to London that I was booked on was full. But, at the last minute a seat was available and I made it. London is another long and miraculous story. With the systems being down, and me not having a plane ticket because of the canceled flight to Chicago, I almost missed my flight to Nairobi. I still have no idea how I actually made it!
But I did make it! I started working today. For the next several weeks I will be going from one program to another, just taking it all in and sort of figuring out where I might fit in. Today I did social work and went with Mary on multiple home visits. It was really good to get to know some people and to see the culture. I haven't even been here for 24 hours yet, and I already love it. I had chai tea 3 times today!! It's probably one of my most favorite things!
Anyway... I'll give more of an update later on. I just wanted to let everyone know that I did make it here. I'm alive and well :)
My snail mail address is:
Missions of Hope Zambarau Road, Pangani P.O. Box 71484-00622 Nairobi, Kenya
Just in case anybody decided to send me something :) Thank you for all of the prayers, I really appreciate it.
I switched to blogspot because it is just a lot easier to manage, and also people can leave comments on this one! I'm all about people leaving me comments (hint hint). Too bad I already sent out those prayer cards with the other website on there. But I'm sure it won't be too hard to figure out. If you're reading this... then kudos to you!
Anyway, I'm leaving for Kenya tomorrow (Jan 10). Here is my flight itinerary so everyone will know where I'll be and when (if flights are on time, of course. And there are no delays.):
I fly out of St. Louis at 2:25 pm Then I fly out of Chicago at 5:05 pm- and head to London! I'll get to London around 7:00 am- Sunday Then I fly to Nairobi at 10:05 am I should arrive in Nairobi around 9:35 pm Sunday night!
Please pray for me as I travel alone! I'm a little nervous about that, but I should be fine. I also haven't been able to sleep much lately. I'm not sure if it's just that I'm excited and nervous, or what. I can't blame it on caffeine, cause I nicked that habit in the bud! So hopefully I'll be able to get well rested for travel.
Thanks again for all of your prayers and all of your support. I raised the rest of the money just this week, today in fact! So praise the Lord!
