Language, Slums and my first Sunburn

This morning I had to say goodbye to Isaac and Peter. These were the two guys whom I met in New York and travelled with to Kenya. Even though we have only known each other for a few days I would definitely call them friends. It is amazing how similar interests, Christ and an international trip can bond you with others. The two of them headed out to Kijabe today. I hope they are doing well. I can't wait to hear about their experience.

After breakfast I had a language lesson in Swahili. I have to admit that in all of my studies language has always been my greatest struggle. I have decided that if God wants me to work extensively with a people that speak another language He will have to work a miracle...which is fine because He is in the miracle business. In my lesson I learned a lot about how the languages in Kenya developed. Kenya has two national languages Swahili and English, however, most people also speak the language of their tribe. Swahili was not an original Kenayan tribal language, but has been adopted by the people. The lesson was actually really helpful. I learned a lot of key phrases which proved useful later on in the day when talking with the slum children.

As soon as the lesson was over I and two others from Mayfield met Pastor Shadrak (a native Kenyan pastor) and he took us out to the Mitumba slums. Think Slum Dog Millionaire africa style and you will get a pretty accurate picture. This is a smaller slum in Nairobi located on 11 acres of land and home to some 20 thousand people. They live in tin and paper shacks, most the size of my kitchen and housing at least 5 people. Pastor has an incredible story of how he began to become active in the slums. He was invited to come visit in 2002. He said the place was smelly, it was dirty with trash everywhere and the lack of a sewer system was very evident. He stated there was really nothing to like about the slums...except the children. They were dirty and some of them were without clothes, but the love that came from them melted his heart and it is to them he has been called to serve. He started a school and now has some 400 students grades 1-8. Once they are done with the school in the slums they can go to high school. In Kenya the children must pay fees to go to school. Pastor never asked us for any money while we were visiting, he simply said that God always provides. Those that want to go on in their schooling have been able to do so. Pastor also makes sure that all 400 students receives 2 meals a day. He say that he does not always know how the food is going to come or where they will get the money, but "God loves His children too much to let them go hungry." They are always fed. Pastor also said that when children play and just go about their day they get hurt and have physical needs. He has also set up a clinic to serve the children. On Sunday's they have church in the slum and 200 people fit in a room the size of a one car garage. The pastor has also started an orphanage in this slum. He has 22 children who truly have no parents or anyone to take care of them. They now have a safe place to sleep, a bed, a shower and adults to look after them. On Saturday they have Bible lessons for any of the students that want to attend....today the place was packed to capacity.

I was able to sit in at the very end of their lesson time before lunch. There were two boys up front that could not have been more than 12 years old. They were trading back and forth telling jokes and doing a stand up comedy of sorts. Every one was laughing, some were laughing so hard they were crying. I could not understand a thing they were saying and they managed to make me laugh as well. How amazing to organize this group of children in the slums of Africa such that they can entertain themselves and just laugh.

This ministry struck me in several ways. What moved this man's heart were the children. Children move God's heart as well. The love this pastor has for them is so evident in how they all run up and greet him. The children eagerly shake his hand as he greets them and knows them all by name and asks how they are doing. 400 slum children can be a rowdy group, but a look from the pastor and a simple word made these eager, hungry children form a line for lunch and voluntarily organize themselves to take care of the clean up afterwards. His love for them covers over everything.

Another thing that made an impression was that this was a native Kenyan man who has seen a need in his own country and is actively working to make a difference. It seems to me that the majority of the time it is the Western world that sees the need and actively works to make a difference in Kenya. It was so refreshing to see this Kenyan man pouring out his life into his own people and really, truly doing a lot to reach out to these children. He does not try to take the children from the slums and give them a better life elsewhere, he works to improve their lives and share God's love with them within the environment in which they live. He gives them the tools they need to improve their lives if they choose, but does not force that improvement upon them. He doesn't need fancy buildings, multi-media centers or gormet meals...God's love can be distributed right there in the slums without any frills. I truly believe this is a man with a heart that reflects our Lord. Ministries like this can draw scepticism from me at first. It seems like there should be a catch, some ulterior motive, but in all of my questioning and after seeing the children and watching them with my own eyes, I don't think so. I feel almost as if I have met a male Mother Theresa and am honored to have spent the afternoon with a person who's heart is made of pure gold.

We were obligated to eat lunch at the slum. The meal was prepared by some visiting University students. Turning down food when the poorest of the poor have prepared it for you would be the most horrific of offenses...prayers for my GI system would be appreciated.

I have forgotten that I am in Africa and the winter back home has made my skin whiter than my teeth. Spending the day outside has successfully turned me a nice shade of pink. Oh well, it was worth it.

Thank you for all of your prayers, today is really the first day that my cold has seemed a whole lot better. It is nice to not have that holding me up any more. I am almost completely over jet lag as well...a double plus! I love hearing from everyone, thank you to those that have commented on the blog. It is so wonderful to know that others are reading my ramblings and continuing to pray for me.