Kipsongo is the worst slum in the Kitale area. Saturday May 8th Joanne and I went into, Mitisi slum, the second worst slum in the area. She wanted to check on the children of a woman who recently died of AIDS. They have a father who found a job but it is almost 2 hours away. The distance and cost of travel keeps him from coming home at night. The six children have been living alone and caring for each other.
We drive into the slum as far as we can and then park the vehicle. It is nice out and those working outside stop what they are doing to observe us as we walk through the small path ways
We arrive and the children welcome us into their home. They are very warm and loving. As we sit inside their home we can observe the many needs. The small wooden framed couch is made up of broken pieces of foam puzzled together for comfort. It becomes someone's bed at night. The single bed in the same room has a mattress made of broken foam pieces patched together as well. Then there is another bed in the small room on the other side of the mud wall that sleeps four. They have two thin blankets to share amongst them. Even though life has brought them hardship and heartache we felt peace and love within this humble home. They don't have the "extras" and many days they have gone without. They have the clothes on their back and no food. None of them are in school because of the fees. The 16 year old boy is asked if he could go to school where would he want to go. With such wanting in his voice he replied, "It doesn't matter where any place is ok, I just want to go to school."
We all hold hands and pray together in this small dark room with one little open window.
Joanne's organization, Hope for the Nations, has now supplied this family with bunk beds, blankets and new mattresses. Food, charcoal for cooking, dishes, cups and cooking pans have all been given to them. They even have a padlock for their door. As each one receives a sponsor they will be placed in school.
We caught the attention of so many children as we were driving out of Mitisi. They were running on both sides and hanging on to the back. The road we were driving on was extremely narrow, full of pot holes and crowned so that driving was difficult. The children eagerness to see us made it an issue of safety for them. We had to stop a couple times and scold them as we were worried that one of them might slip and get hurt.
I went back into Kipsongo slums Sunday morning the 9th of May. Many from the Turkana tribe came to the service. The women sat together on one side with their babies tied to their backs. The men sat together on the other side. The older ones came with walking sticks. The women came with small bags of handmade beaded work. They are always trying to sell a piece of their work as it puts bread on their table. The Turkana people came down from the northern part of Kenya and settle here in Kipsongo. Kipsongo literally means "place of the dogs". Their homes are made with plastic bags collected from the garbage. There are many at today's service and as we sing more gather. Last time I came here several accepted the Lord into their heart. So today they were taught about how to grow in the Lord. Many returned with the Bibles they received last week.
After the service I walked with Pastor Richard , Helen and Jimmy as they had thirty bags of food to deliver to some of the widows in Kipsongo. It had poured earlier and we now had puddles and mud to walk through. It was a challenge for us to stay upright on our feet. The ground is wet, damp and muddy with water running through the huts of many. Tonight many of them will sleep on the ground. The widows are thankful but there is never enough for everyone. Night will soon push the light away and the evil deeds of night will take over. Thieves will enter some of the widow's huts and take away the blessings of today.
It seems like a blink of the eye and the early birds of the morning are singing their song. Monday the 10th of May we are up and ready to go to Kibagenga to meet with the women of the area. Joanne has been working with these women for two years now. They come even in the planting season knowing that they will have to work twice as hard in the afternoon. The women come and so do the cows! We carefully watch where we step as it appears we are meeting in cow territory.
As we ride into Moi's Bridge on Tuesday morning the market area is already busy. Little pigs are scavenging through garbage dumped beside the road. There are piles of clothes and various fruits for sale. Boys on bikes are clustered together at the corner waiting for a passenger. After traveling thirty minutes out of Kitale we leave the main road and travel into the smaller villages. The little children get so excited to see a white person. "How are you?" starts hitting our ears as the children run beside the car. More children gather together and the "How are you?" begins to sound like the sing song chirp of a bird. It is probably the only English they know but they sure are happy to try it out.
The women at Moi's Bridge are enthusiastic and happy to have us arrive. They fill the church. They never complain about sitting on a wooden bench without a back support. They never complain about sitting on the cement floor. They never complain about standing by the door because they can't find a place to sit. They are just happy to be taught the word of God.
After speaking about prayer the women stood to their feet and opened up their hearts to God without hesitation. Their voices filled the room with prayers going up to the up throne of God.
On Wednesday morning the 12th of May we headed out of Kitale to Kipsiana for another meeting with the women of the area. African's are not generally concerned with the issue of "time". They don't run on schedules or clocks like American's. You can start a service on time with 20 and before your done there could be 250 or better sitting in front of you. Today we started with a few but they came and came and came. We even have a few men joining us now.
After the meeting we returned to Kitale and continued to deal with an issue of finding a home for an unwanted 4 year old little boy. His mother lives in the Kipsongo slums and had approached us several times and told us to take him. She didn't want him. It was apparent the boy was neglect and starving for love and affection. We first learned of the legal issues and the proper procedure before removing him from his present living area. After a meeting with the official in the Children's Department we were given permission to take him and place him in an approved home.
The day has been full to the top but even though the sun is setting there is still more! My birthday is tomorrow and it is time to celebrate with a few of my friends. Jim and Sherry, Bill & Patricia (John Bevere Ministries) and Joanne (Hope for the Nations) have picked a nice place for us to all eat together. We are double celebrating tonight as Patricia has a birthday on the 14th J
Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
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