December 8, 2013
(Sunday) I woke up once last night and there beside my shoes was a very
big black spider or roach. I’m not sure which. My eyes were blurry and it
disappeared under my bed before I could see clearly. I was so tired I just went
back to bed without trying to find the creature.
Sunday morning came way to fast and my body was crying for
more sleep as it tried to adjust to the eight hour time change and the extra-long
trip. I knew rolling over and going back to sleep would only prolong the
adjustment that I needed to go through.
It was Sunday and I wanted to surprise the people in the slums and join them for worship. I filled one suitcase with ties, matching baby bonnets and slippers, baby blankets, new testaments and handmade slippers for the children. There were also a couple big surprises hidden inside for the pastor. My mode of travel has had to change for my safety. Using public transportation for quick trips around town and into the slums is now a thing of the past.
The sights, the smells, the confusion and traffic within the
slums haven’t changed. People beyond
number fill the road ways along with goats and carts full of produce pulled by
men. It is a challenge to maneuver our car around without coming to a complete
stop. Deep within the slums the roadways
aren’t really used for vehicles and the condition of the roads deteriorates.
The ditches beside the roadway are running with fluids. Booths are set up on each side of the road with
produce. There are tomatoes, bananas and
mangos but the sun has baked the goodness out of them. Flies swarm around the baskets of dried fish. Garbage piles smolder along the way and the
dogs that howl at night sleep under the hot sun of the day. Every bone in their body can be seen and I
wonder how they can live one more day.
I enter through the doorway of the worn out iron sheet
fence. The path I walk is very familiar
and I can hear the songs of worship coming from inside the small and well
hidden church.
Some of the little ones are the first to see me and a look
of surprise quickly changes to happiness. The feet travel fast and the news of my arrival spreads.
As I step through the door way of the church so many are quick to greet
me. The pastor welcomes me "back home" and asks me to join him in his office.
I hadn’t told them I was coming but as we walked together he said “I
knew you were coming.” Friday night they
had all night prayer. During that time
of prayer he had a vision and he saw me coming to them and I greeted him. Seeing me enter through the doorway was not a
surprise to him!
The suitcase was opened and it was like Christmas for
them. A computer donated by one of the
local churches, Zone Church, was placed in the hands of a very dedicated
pastor. His desire and prayer had been
answered that day. He lives in the slums and has a job in the
city that allows him to work a few hours each week. He then sends money to his
children in western Kenya so that they can go to school.
Life in the slums is far from easy and he has lived through some very difficult times. One night he was on his way to the church for
a time of prayer but before he could enter the doorway several guys pushed him
to the ground. They beat him, kicked him
and used a dirty hyper dermic needle on him over and over again. They wanted his money but he didn’t have
any. Yesterday he was robbed again. He was riding the City Hopper bus when two
guys entered with guns and demanded cell phones and money. He gave them all the money he had. The enemy took from him but the Lord gave back with
increase!
There were ties for every man and the church was very full even
at a time when people travel back to their villages for Christmas. A tie
represents at least two days of work for them. It is beyond reach for so
many. Having a tie to wear to church is very important here in Kenya.
Mamas examine the little hat sets and blankets made by Gaile
Dufault. They giggle and speak out a name of a baby in need. They know exactly where each one should go
.
The little children love the colorful slippers that my mom, Charlotte Towne,
makes for them every year. Her slippers have
blessed the children of Kenya and beyond.
They have warmed the feet of little ones in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda as well. Here in the slums they are experiencing some
late rains. It rains hard and long and
the nights are cold. These slippers came
at a much needed time!
I met Jackie for the first time in 2005 after speaking at an
outdoor crusade in the slums. She had
just given birth and there had been complications. We were asked to visit her in her humble home
and pray for her. The Lord healed her
completely and restored her to health. Earlier this year Jackie became pregnant. Women
never make an announcement that they are expecting but it became very obvious :) So before I left for the USA this past trip I
asked her what she wanted. I told her to
be specific. She already has two girls
so she said a boy would be nice. We prayed together that God would grant her
desire and bless her with a son. As we talked together I shared the story of
how I just knew my first child was a boy. I was going to name him “Israel.” I loved the name Israel but when he was born
he looked just like his Dad……so he was given his Dad’s name, Manley.
Today little Israel Manley was placed in my arms! He is
strong, well fed and a handsome little guy!
Mama Jackie is doing just fine too.
She shines with happiness as her heart bubbles over with thankfulness
for what God has done for her.
I understand there are two little Manley’s in the slums. The mother of Manley James Jaminah has
traveled to her village with her new born to celebrate Christmas at her family’s
home. I will have to wait before I get
to hold this little one!
Today there was an abundance of joy that filled the little church
in the middle of the slums. I do believe that the songs of praise almost lifted
the tin roof off the church :)
Thank you everyone for giving them a very
bright and happy day in such a dark and desperate land. My heart melts with happiness!
Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,.....
