Day 3 in Kenya.

Day 2 in Kibera.

You know, you'd think the second day would not be as bad... you already know what to expect- the smell, the garbage, the shocking amount of poverty. But, when you look around, it hits you. Over and over again -- so fresh- and new... like seeing it all for the very first time. Even in the midst of it-- we can't begin to wrap our minds around the condition in which they live. Today we had the rest of the team with us-- I was so thankful to have had the day before to sort of 'absorb' my surroundings before going in with the team. It really is incredible to think of so many people living in such a small area. Of course, in America, we think-- no problem-- we have high rises and tall structures that can house hundreds, if not thousands, of people all at once. There are no such buildings in Kibera. Everything is butted up next to everything else-- and what ground is not used up in living space is covered in garbage and sewage. We learned the average life expectancy within Kibera is the age 46. It made a great deal of sense, when looking around we didn't see but maybe 1 or 2 older looking people. It puts into perspective, again, how blessed we are in America. To think my life (in Kibera) is well over half done is a thought that brings about much self examination-- asking myself what I have accomplished that has amounted to anything. Walking to the "new"school to get ready for VBS, Miah asked his translator what these people think seeing us walk through Kibera-- are they thinking 'Why are YOU here?' or 'Are you just looking down your noses at us or what?'. The translator's response was not at all what Miah expected. "Oh, no." he said. "They aren't thinking that at all. When they see you walking through here, they are so thankful you took time out to just come here, to see them, and to show them they are not forgotten." They were simply moved that we took the time. That is enough to humble even the most proud spirit in any of us. And a reminder that it really is about relationship... not about how much we do or how much we feel we have accomplished. There is much in the "kingdom view" that we don't see and aren't aware of. Seeds that are planted just by being with someone-- and connecting with their spirit in a way that forever changes a person. I am sure you will hear me say many, many times over... "oh the sweet children...." and honestly, I can't help it. In all their beautiful innocence- who is fighting for them? Isn't that part of our call as the body of Christ?? To care for the orphans? I have never felt so convicted of this as I have here... in Kibera... where being an orphan is not the exception but the rule. This little one was washing his hands in the sewage running down the road. And yet, there is no one there to tell him the water is not clean and where should he wash? There is a shortage of clean water in Kibera.... the people there do the best they can with what they have, which isn't much-- especially compared to our standards. But still these children come to school (those who can) and we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to minister to them. Today we were able to do some songs with them all together in the "baby" school then they taught us some songs in Swahili. My heart was SO ministered to watching them worship with every single fiber of their beings. All I could do was stand in wonder and try not to cry. One of the songs they sang said something like "Jesus on the throne makes everything better"-- and it is SO very true. Jesus on the throne does make everything better. Just knowing He is in control changes everything-- our circumstances seem smaller, our heartache less painful, and our joy so much deeper. Oh what lessons I have been taught again and again! My prayer is to remain teachable and to be moldable-- not that the process won't ever be without discomfort and even pain-- but to have God change your heart is an amazing thing. We did lessons with the kids... they were an absolute joy to teach and to just be with. After the lessons, we sat down and ate some lunch with them before we again took them to the field. They were so very excited to be able to play again for the afternoon. This time we rode the van to the field-- I'm still amazed at how in the world George got the van all the way into Kibera to give us a ride. I had to close my eyes when he was trying to get out-- we were pretty close to some steep edges. :) The kids were picked up and got to ride a bus to the field.... many of them had never gotten to ride a big bus like that- so the adventure was even better than they could have imagined! We played again, for a few hours and enjoyed all the time we could with the children. I even jumped in on a soccer game for a bit. They are pretty competitive and are very good at the game! I can say I kicked the ball... and tried my best-- though I'm not entirely sure I was an asset to the kids on my team! :) It was so very sweet to watch the children interact with eachother and with us. There was a little boy-- no older than 2 1/2 probably who would just walk up to me and hold my hand. Wouldn't say a word... wouldn't want to be held... just wanted to stand there and hold my hand-- and he'd stand there for as long as I was standing there-- content with that little bit of human contact. My heart (again) ached for this boy to know the love of his heavenly Father, the love that goes beyond everything we can think or imagine. And that he would know God's heart for him and how He sees him. We ended the evening with a great dinner at Java-- an amazing coffee house. It was nice to be able to unwind and talk about the day with our new friends on the team. We left for the hotel-- exhausted and thankful... with a new view of our Heavenly Father... and His love for us.