Saturday, January 24, 2009 Koriokor
The bus drops us off on the east side of
We start walking our way through some side streets. We meet Francis again. Francis is the boy who had been hit by a car. The infection and pain in his mouth is gone. With his finger he wiggles three front teeth. Soon we have 3 other street boys join us. One boy opens his mouth and points to a very large cavity. The tallest of the boys tells us it is a shame to be on the streets growing a beard. I thought he needed a razor. I was told he had been on the streets for many years. What he was saying was he had been living this way too long. He wanted to know when life would change. We prayed for each one of the boys at the corner. They all remove their caps as we pray. A woman and her husband join us from one of the stores. They ask us to come and pray for their daughter. She is very troubled and they don't know what to do anymore.
I'm told the African sun just falls from the sky. That is why it is so hot. I'm starting to believe them! It has been very, very hot.
As we cross the river to go into the Koriokor area Pastor Joseph spots some of his boys. Off to the side of the road down beside the river are several boys. They are in the midst of garbage which borders both sides of the river. They have started a little fire and with a large tin can they are cooking some food they have found. As we look down on them from the sidewalk above smiles appear as they recognize Pastor Joseph & Gladys. They soon follow us to the sheet metal "Hotel" for our gathering.
Fifty boys and one girl are served tea and bread. Two of the younger boys lost their parents in the post election violence last year. Many come sniffing but these two do not. Another boy has a swollen hand after a piece of sheet metal fell on him and cut his wrist area. We pray for him before he leaves.
As I sit at a table with some of the boys I notice the shake of the hand as one boy tries to lift the tea cup to his mouth. Beads of perspiration cover his face. The young boy across from me wants to know what happened to his bread. No one at the table knows. It was lifted by one of the older more experienced boys. He returns it and everyone laughs. In Swahili one older boy tells the Pastor, "I wish I was a learned man. This opportunity only comes once in a life time." The opportunity he is referring to is talking with a white person. Most of the boys here never went past 3rd grade.
The hotel has a rush of energy enter as the older boys, above 17 yrs old, from the other side join us unexpectedly. They came to take money and the findings of the day from the younger boys, ages 5 -17. The room is full and wired hot but as soon as they see us a calmness settles over everyone. After they have their tea and bread the older boys leave. Some watch and listen from the outside as I speak to the boys inside. Many openly ask Jesus into their heart.
Sunday, January 25, 2009 Kawangware Slums
We walked through the dusty streets and then the smaller foot paths. We come to the ever running brook of human waste. We cross carefully. We step on the rocks that have become islands in the midst of this flowing darkness. A short distance ahead there is a man walking with a child. It is Shem. Shem is the notorious thief that has recently asked Jesus into his heart. He tells us he is coming to church today. We pray for him and continue on.
We bring our benches outside for the children's time. One of the neighboring churches has all of their children in a group outside. They are being taught by one of their own today.
As we start our singing I see the longing in the eyes of the children that use to be with us. Their teacher is soon finished and they begin to wander our way. They join us one by one and enjoy the rest of the time with us. Twenty six children heard about David and Goliath. My sister, Debbie Archer, gave me several very colorful magnetic story pages with sticker figurines to use in
One little girl covers her mouth with a cloth as she continually coughs. She is very ill. My thoughts lean toward TB. I tell the children she is sick and we need to pray for her. With my hand on her head we pray to Jesus. The Lord heals her. The coughing stops. She enjoys the lesson with a smile on her face.
I didn't see Shem in church for the service but he made it for the time of prayer we had after. God is really changing this man.
A toddler in a near by home cries continually for hours. I'm told the child has cried all night and all day. He was vomiting the day before. We believed that Jesus would heal this baby and with my hand on his head we to prayed. The crying stops and a smile appears. Within ten minutes this toddler is playing with the other children. Isn't God wonderful J
Psalm 145:4 & 5
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
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