This morning we took time to do some errands and pick up a few necessary items at the store. Security is a big issue here in Nairobi as well as other places in Kenya. Soldiers and security guards stand on the street corners, around the banks and even at the shopping areas. They don’t stand alone though, they stand with a machine gun in their hand. Before entering the store the women are checked by a woman guard and the men line up in front of the male security guard. Bags and pocket books are opened and gone through before one is granted permission to go into the store and shop. It is very much like being checked at the airport.
Later on we head into the slums. The business of all the people never changes and never seems to stop. No matter what time you enter the slums there are people coming and going in every direction. Garbage continues to build up along the roads and little children find a place of rest in the middle of it. In the midst of all the people it is very uncommon to see another white person.
I almost always use public transportation because it is cheaper but because of the walk and Manley still dealing with the time change we decided to take a taxi. He dropped us off just inside the slums and we had to walk a ways to meet my friend from the church. He was going to walk with us through the slums.
I’m leading the way through the streets and pathways which are busy with people coming and going. I am quite comfortable here and know my way around so I’m walking right along. Then I hear my husband speak out in an alarmed loud voice “Leave her alone, don’t you touch her!” I turned quickly to see what was going on and there was my quiet small framed church friend looking somewhat stunned. He had seen me from a distance and was only trying to get my attention. I quickly apologized and after introducing him to my husband we began our walk together through the slums. Protection was not needed in this case but it is a very dangerous place to be and I am thankful for a husband that watches out for me.
We are in our summer season and it has not rained for about two months. The earth is very dry and dusty. The wind blows and particles off the earth swirl around hitting you in the face and eyes. There are familiar faces along the way. The mama that sits on a rock under her umbrella selling an ear of corn is in her usual spot. I watch her face light up when she sees us coming her way. The word is out that we have returned. The pastor’s cell phone is ringing and there are requests and invites into many homes but first we stop at the school.
The little ones are still in class and Mama Rosie has everyone under control until we walk in! Their colorful chairs fit so nicely around their desk. They each have their very own chair now and they are very excited to show us.
We came with gifts and all eyes are on the bag. We had some school supplies for the teacher and a new pencil and a beanie baby for each child. It is hard to explain the happiness that the gift of one pencil can bring. I think back to the time when I saw them sharing a pencil because that is all they had.
I thank all of you who have remembered these little ones in the slums of Nairobi. It is not an easy life and going to school is often impossible because they don’t have the funds to meet the requirements. They have so little and many times they sit at their desk without food in their stomach. They come to school even when they are sick and hungry because they have the desire to learn.
They no longer have to pour water on their dirt floor to keep the dust down because you have made it possible to place tiles on the floor for them. You have encouraged them with your gifts and made learning a little more enjoyable. Thank you.
Evelyn is a very special lady with a very big heart. She cares for 21-23 children here in the slums. She welcomed us into her one room home made of metal sheets. It was dark and took time for the eyes to adjust from being out in the bright sun. Beds were on every wall and there was only a small path in the middle. Children stood to see us while others slept through the whole time we were there.
Evelyn used to have a very good job in Nairobi but when her employer moved back to Germany she settled here in the slums. She found two orphans and knew that she could do something to help them. She took them into her home as her own and cared for them. Whenever a baby was found in the garbage pile or bushes it was brought to her and her family grew. Even though her home is quite full she continues to say yes when an abandoned child is brought to her.
She picks up a very tiny little girl named Chaldene and holds her in her arms. She is the newest one into the home. She had been left in the bushes to die. Chaldene tested positive for HIV and is having a hard time keeping food down. With prayer, love and the proper medicine Chaldene will now have a chance at a better life.
She is very thankful for the new bed that will sleep 9 children. By having them sleep sideways she has found that there is room for everyone! The bed is beautiful and gets the little ones up off the floor but it needs a mattress. She doesn’t know it yet but she no longer needs to pad it with blankets because there is a water proof mattress on the way! While visiting she tells us of one little boy that died since the last time we visited. He had been sleeping on a mat on the floor.
She feeds the children from money she makes as a seamstress and thanks God because there has always been something to eat! She walked with us to a store where we could bless her with tea, soap, bags of ugali, and porridge. This woman almost danced out of happiness!
Evelyn has also started a little one room school attached to her home in order to help educate the children. We left her with a few school supplies as well.
I had three pair of shoes in my back pack and I didn’t know who I would give them to but God did. One pair fit Evelyn and even patched the dress she had on, another pair was the perfect size for her helper and the third pair went to a woman visiting Evelyn. I only had 3 pair but these women walked into these shoes, they fit perfectly!
January 30, 2012 Tuesday
It was a special time for the women in the slums today. They gathered in the afternoon for a short meeting. After speaking to them and encouraging them they were given handmade gifts from the USA. Each lady was permitted to come and take the knitted bag that she liked. They were all beautiful and all very different, just like each one of us! A special thank you is sent to Gail and to all those that helped her make these hand bags. They immediately started putting their things in them!
A young mother soon to give birth to her third child was also blessed with baby clothes and a handmade afghan. Thank you everyone for caring about those here in Kenya.
Tomorrow we take the bus back to western Kenya, near the Uganda border. There is still much to do before the early morning departure. As we give hugs and say goodbye we repeatedly hear, “When will you come back?
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
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