First Week Summary

Like the children would say:
“Hello everybody and greetings in the name of the Lord!”

First week is winding down and it seems impossible that so much has already been accomplished.  I have said that many times now but this time it is really true: we have the best team ever, the dream of every mission trip leader.

This past Thursday, several activities took place.  Jim Stratakos, Tim Klund and I went to the Korogocho slums together with Sharon, our Kenyan Coordinator and three of our children: Nelly, Teresia and Rosemary.  All of them came from this slum which is the second biggest in Nairobi.  We were also accompanied by two off duty police officers and two of the children’s guardians.

Visiting Rosemary Wahu's family

Korogocho is another world, impossible to describe and to render the desperation that is seen on every face, particularly on young girls.  You also have to share the space there with pigs, ducks and chicken, not to mention avoiding falling in the trash or in the raw sewage pit that borders the dirt road.

Entering the Korogocho slums where several of our children come from

The highlight was to visit with the children’s guardians or relatives who welcomed us with open house and open arms.  All they had to offer us was a one room shack, a glass of rancid water and a hug.  We declined the water but gave the hugs!

Most homes in the slums are made with pieces of tin or plastic but this one is made with mud

 I came out of that two and a half hour with one major question: Why doesn't the government do something about birth control? There are children everywhere, behind every wall, behind every corner, children carrying children,  teenagers carrying children and mothers and grandmothers carrying children!

I will take this smile back with me and try to forget the desperation on hundreds of people's face living in the slums.

Where are the men?  Good question that does not seem to have an answer.

Leaving the slums

While we were in Korogocho, the rest of the team continued to work hard assessing the children and guiding them in their future career.  Jenni and Tim took the Lakeview kids to the pool at the Methodist guest house and they had a ball playing and trying to teach them to swim.  Ramona has small sessions with groups of kids – sex ed – and provided sound advice on abstinence but also precautions.  The teenagers appreciated her open mind approach and asked her tons of questions.   In the evening, the children gave us a talent show with dances and skits and we all rolled over the floor, laughing so hard it hurt!!!  They sure have lots of talents these kids.

Since everybody was asking and praying for the rainy season to start, my single request to the Lord to delay it by one week did not reach Him and we were face with downpours and power interruptions.  However, in Kenya, everything always seems to work out and we managed.  We did make different arrangements for Friday though since it was so important for us to complete the entire one on one interview with the children.  We rented two conference rooms at the Methodist Guest house where the team is staying and bussed the children back and forth.  This worked well and with the help of Paul, a young Kenyan youth counselor, huge progress was made.

Next door, Jim Stratakos and Sharon transformed that room into an art studio where the kids waiting to be interviewed learned the basics of drawing and created jewelry patterns, hats, clothes, shoes, etc.  Jim will tell you more when he has a chance.  I popped up a few time in the room and the kids were so concentrating on what they were doing you could hear a fly land!!!

After a long day and a quick dinner, it was our turn to treat the children to a birthday party.  We had prepared “goody” bags, had cake and ice cream and of course sang Happy Birthday to them”.  We roasted Sharon a little before wishing her a happy birthday too.  We then had silly question time with prizes for the winners.

Bob Boekhout’s question about how old he was turned out results varying from 61 to 82 and my question about when I would be back in Kenya brought back an interesting answer: “God knows”.

Today we are getting ready to visit Ray of Hope in another slum, Kagwangare (much safer than Korogocho) where the participants will all have a chance to see what real need is.  Ray of Hope has an after school program and although it is Saturday, the kids will come to entertain us.  Of course we will also treat them with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

As I finish this, I cannot thank you enough for allowing us to do this with your financial support and daily prayers.  It is only a ray of sun in a child’s stormy life but his or her appreciation for it is our daily reward.

We will keep you posted as we enter the second week and tackle visiting the school that the children are attending.

For all that is being accomplished here, we give God the glory and praise.

Blessings to you all

Monique