Little Hands Begin To Wave

Friday, February 27, 2009

    

It rained hard this morning. The clouds break over us and the teaching stops.  When it rains it is hard for the children to concentrate because of the noise it makes hitting the roof.  Singing begins to pass the time.  Children move away from the open windows.  The coolness of the air that the rain brings gives need to an extra covering. 

 

    The teachers are pleased at the progress the children are making. I'm told they hear children singing now as they walk to school.  One little girl with a fever refused to go home today because she didn't want to miss the class.  They are asking for me to stay a month and continue with teaching.

 

    Friday is chapel day for 428 orphans.  The seats are full.  The floor is used.  They fill the room until there just isn't any more space.   Those that can't make it inside line up on the outside and gaze through the windows.  The door way is packed with those hoping to find a way to squeeze through the crowd. 

 

    The colorful flannel graph lesson of the crucifixion of Jesus is displayed before them.  Eyes are wide open and excitement fills the air.  My feet are locked into one spot as the room is full.   I can not move. As the message is given, quietness fills the air.  All eyes are on me.  Every word I speak is received with the longing for more.  Today the chapel service went longer than usual and no one offered to leave.  One little girl said "I wish I could stay here forever".

 

   Over one hundred orphans wanted to ask Jesus into their heart.  We quickly moved people around so that they could come closer to the front for prayer.  It was a beautiful sight to see so many young children seeking the Lord.  On their knees and with hands lifted toward heaven they asked Jesus into their heart.

 

    As the children are leaving my eyes fall on one little boy.  He is still standing in front of the flannel board.  His eyes are fixed on the figurine of Jesus hanging on the cross.  He doesn't move. His eyes stay focused.  Much is going on around him but he is unaware of his surroundings.  He will never forget what he has heard today.  

 

    As we walk toward home we thank the Lord for how he worked in so many lives today.  Our hearts are singing J As I round a corner closer to the top of the mountain I look up toward my destination. There on the ridge are the orphans from the Catholic Parish.  They are all lined up watching for me to return.  Little hands begin to wave back and forth.  They bring much joy into my life.

 

     My evenings are spent with the orphans here at the Catholic Parish.  Each night from about 8 – 10 pm I share a Bible story, some songs and then pray with them before they go to sleep. Tonight the story is about Noah and the ark.  One little girl could not understand why God would allow snakes on the ark!

 

  The children love to be hugged, to set in my lap and to touch my hair.  They even study my finger nails. Everyone wants to be the one sitting beside me.  They have picked me flowers and made me cards to express their love.  Today it was market day.  So there is a special treat…fresh pineapple for everyone.  They are so excited that they can share it with me.  I am blessed to be so loved.  They know there is a day a head when I will be leaving.  Each night I am asked how many more days I can stay.  Their response is "I wish you could stay forever".

 

  The nights are quieter now and the children are sleeping better.  The older orphan that interprets for me walks back upstairs with me. He has many questions about the Bible stories.  I ask him to bring me a Bible and I show him exactly where each story can be read.  He is so eager to learn more. I return to my room exhausted but happy.  Here high above the school I hear children close by practicing their vowel sounds.  It brings a smile to my face. 

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Today is community work day.  Everyone in Rwanda is to do some work to help the community look better.  Many work in the ditches beside the road.  When it rains the water flows better beside the road.  Pot holes in the roads are filled in.  Rwanda is a very clean land.  Garbage is not seen anywhere.  The kids beneath me are busy washing clothes in buckets.  They are happy washing and cleaning different areas near their room.

 

    I'm being fixed tea at the Catholic house when Alex & Nesta, two teachers from the school, arrive to take me on a walk.  It is Saturday and school is not in session.  Some how the children here expected me to spend the whole day with them.  There are some words said in their native language and I detect the problem.

 

   We walk through the miners' village and further into the country.  The slopes are lined with banana trees.  Many of these bananas are used to make "banana beer".  We stop at a very peaceful lake.  All the water that the miners use for the mining operations is piped from here.  A few years ago 2 orphans drowned in this lake.  One fell in and the other tried to help pull him out.  Neither boy could swim.

 

   We see many school children along the way.  They are walking with bananas on their heads or out cutting grass for the cows.  Some are gathering sticks for the fire.  Everyone has something to do.  We walked over the brook where gold has been found.  Soon a mining operation will start in this area.  On the way home we pass several prisoners as the guards have them outside.  Those in prison here are doing time for small crimes.

 

   My evening is spent downstairs with the orphans.  I try to go a little earlier tonight but it's time for them to eat.  Their plates are lined up on the floor.  One by one they find a place to sit with their food.  So many want to share what they have with me.  Their hearts are so loving and kind.  While they eat the happy chatter comes to an end.Every bit of food becomes warmth inside their bellies.  Fingers begin to wipe the bottom of their dish.  It is gone way too soon.

 

Psalm 11:14

But you O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. 

The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

"Pick Me Teacher"

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

 

     Early, early morning the mountain tops are viewed freely.  Then with the blink of the eye the clouds rush in and completely cover us with a white blanket.  There is nothing to be seen but solid white not matter which way one looks.  This morning I open my door and walk through the clouds.  Soon the day opens above us and the views to behold are wonderful.   Everyone rises at dawn. There is much to do.  Women with babies tied to their back stand barefoot on the slopes of the mountains. With hoes in hand they work the earth getting it ready for seed.  Children gather sticks and wood for fires before walking to school. Young girls carry buckets of water on their head.  Cows are being taken to better feeding areas.  Hogs run freely around us.  Washing clothes by hand has already begun.  It is early morning and the day is in full operation.

 

The village chief was notified of my arrival.  He has welcomed me and given me permission to walk around freely.  Everyone has been very friendly here.  There are times when I walk through the miner's village that every eye is on me.  I am told they don't often see a white woman here. 

 

 Alex has a battery operated radio to his ear as we walk the "short cut" to school.   He listens faithfully to the news.  He says living in the village has dangers…"the world runs ahead of you and your head becomes like ice.".  So he likes to keep up with all that is going on. 

 

  School begins and the children are happy to learn.  When a question is asked the sound of snapping fingers hits my ears.  They raise their hands snap their fingers and long to be the one picked.  "Pick me teacher, pick me teacher,"rings through out the room.  Each class is well attended. One class has 65 students.  I end one class and within five minutes I am standing in front of the next class.  They are starting to ask me if I ever get tiredJ With the sound of an iron rod hitting the inside of a metal circle we stop for lunch.  The children play marbles with small rocks, volley ball with out a net, sing and enjoy the time outside.  Alex and I share some bread before returning for the afternoon classes.

 

  After school we visit at one of the teacher's home in a different area of the village. Claude a nurse in the area has already heard about me through the handicap orphans.  Claude travels back and forth from Congo to Rwanda.  He begins to tell me that from here to Congo the roads are very, very bad.  The best route and fastest route is to cross the lake by boat.  Then with a pause he says "Do you like to swim?"   I think we will save the Congo trip for another time J

 

  Rwandese soldiers have been sent into the Congo while I've been here.  They have agreed to work with the Congo soldiers to find and capture the 6000 soldiers hiding in the Congo.  These 6000 men took an active part in the genocide and the threat of regrouping remains until they are captured.

 

After eating and resting I shared the story of "David & Goliath" with the orphans who live below my room.  They are so excited to have me spend time with them. I am repeatedly asked "How long can you stay here?"  They have a song in their heart and they love to share it with me.  Tonight they learned a new song "Only a boy named David".  I hear "sing it again". One of the mutes points to the palm of her hand and her hand goes round and round.  The time of singing brings many smiles and much laughter.  After our regular time of praying for each child I say good night. 

 

As I walk in the coolness of the mountain night air my eyes venture upward.

Oh the beauty that shines at night. The African sky holds the stars tightly together. They almost take over the darkness above  How amazing you are God.  You have named each one.

 

Isaiah 40:25 & 26

  To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal? says the Holy One.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.

 

Thursday, February 26, 2009

 

  Many in the area want to learn English.   I have been asked by the priest of a Catholic school near by if I have time to teach his students.  The head officials in the area have also asked that I teach the leaders of the community.  They are pleased with the progress of the children and are receiving many good reports.  I have been asked to stay here longer . There is so much to do but exhaustion stands in the way.

Diamonds, Gold and Orphans

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

 

   Here in the mountains of Rwanda the early mornings and nights are cool.  Last night as I was resting in my warm bed I listened to the children with their tight coughs below me.  There were many unsettling noises, sounds and cries coming from the little ones through out the night.  It seems to be a place of no peace.

 

   We could not use the foot path to school this morning.  It is shorter and takes less time but the rains have made it too dangerous.

 

    This week I have been asked to teach 428 orphans and their teachers English.  After a short meeting with the headmaster and all of the teachers, I stepped into my first class.  We start the day with the long and short vowel sounds.  At quarter to five and ten classes later the school day ends.

 

     After school we start our walk up the mountain to the village of Muhoroko.  It is here at the Catholic Parish that I have a room.  It takes a little longer going up than it does coming down J  We are not alone though.  There are many children behind us.  I am told they are "sticking to me".  Some of them walk great distances back to their village.  The children use to receive two meals a day at the school but because of low funds it had to stop.

 

   Many of the orphans go home to an aunt, grandparent or someone willing to oversee them with in their village.  It is a poor area.  Many here can not afford salt or even a candle for a light at night.

 

   As we walk I observe the diamond mine and all the earth around it that has been moved. The village of Ngorerero is now called a miners village.  It has brought

many men in the area some much needed work.  It has also brought sorrow as three

men have died while working here.  We walk a little further and Alex points to another area close by. Here they have found gold.  Another mining operation will start soon.

 

   After some food and a short rest I visit with the 70 orphans here at the Catholic Parish.  They sit quietly all around me as I share the Bible story with them.  All ages look on with amazement as I hold onto a colorful picture of Daniel in the Lions Den.  The picture is passed around and each one studies it carefully.  It is getting late but still all want prayer. So a line is formed and one by one I pray for them.  

 

   As I am leaving their room a small frame little girl wraps her arms around me.  She looks up into my eyes and says "I will never forget you"….my heart broke.  As I walked through the darkness of the night back to my room her words echoed through my heart.

 

Lord, I thank you for the tears

It means I have a heart

 "I will never forget you"

The heart within her is every bit the same as mine

The need for love, for a touch

The need for a hand to hold.

The need for a kind word.

Yet trapped so severely in a world, a small world

Every day the same

No windows to view a future

A forgotten child…………

---

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The Orphans of Rwanda

Tuesday February 17, 2009

  

I enjoyed my flight from Nairobi to Kigali, Rwanda in a 48 seater.  It was a direct flight and the pilot didn't change his mind this time.  So we didn't have any unscheduled side trips to Burundi. J A twenty four hour bus trip was by passed for a one hour and fifteen minute flight. I arrived safely and dust free in Kigali at 9:15 am. 

Pastor Leo & Pastor Augustine were both at the airport waiting to greet me.  Many of you from our home area have met these two pastors.  They have both spent time with us in the USA. After exchanging currency and getting the proper card for my cell phone we enjoyed a hot cup of "African Ginger Tea"…a favorite in Rwanda!  

I recognize so many places as we ride toward Pastor Leo's home.  Kigali is the capital of Rwanda with a population of around one million.  It is growing and developing very quickly.  Corruption here is not tolerated at any level.  Many new and expensive homes are covering the hilltops in the Kigali area.  We pass by land that Bill Gates has bought.  Another area in town is just raw land as the village homes have been bought and torn down.  This area will be replaced with expensive homes.  Traffic is organized and roads within the city are paved.  Rwanda is very clean and beautiful.

   

As we get closer to Pastor Leo's home the pavement ends.  The deep ruts in the roads are evidence of the heavy rains they are experiencing.   Everyday gives way to rain and then some sun.  The homes are all fenced in with six to seven foot brick walls around them. At the entrance to his home a heavy metal gate welcomes us.  Windows and doors have security bars in place for added protection.   Along with the brick wall around each home, the metal gate, metal bars is the windows and doors most everyone has a couple

guard dogs.  The night is full of dogs exchanging their different levels of barking and howling J

 

Wednesday February 18^th, Friday February 20^th and Sunday February 22^nd.

I spoke at the Evangelical Restoration Church on the outskirts of Kigali. With over 300 in attendance we had a great time of worship.  The songs of worship filled the large wooden structure.  The gaps between the wooden boards that surrounded us allowed the music of praise to fill the air inside and out.  At the Sunday morning service I had the privilege of assisting in a dedication ceremony for several babies.  There was one baby that really preferred her mom J

 

 Monday February 23, 2009

We are on a 2 ½ hour journey to western Rwanda.  We will be stopping at the village of Rusumu near the Congo border.  Here hidden in the midst of the mountains sits a school for 428 orphans.  Pastor Leo started this school years ago and is very close to finishing the building for second level of education, up to 12^th grade. Right now the orphans are taught from nursery school through six grade.  They are taught, given books, uniforms and shoes free of charge.  As we leave Kigali we pass over the river that brings back haunting memories to many.  It is this river that body after body both dead and alive was thrown into during the genocide.

    

We travel through the mountains and valleys of Rwanda. Corner after corner reveals more mountains, more curves and more beautiful land.  Everything is green. Gardens are maintained up and down the slopes.  Goats are feeding at the edge of the road as we pass by.  From the main road we travel a few miles into the mountains on a dirt road.  Soon over 400 children are within our eyes view. Neatly lined up they begin to sing as we drive in.  With beating drums and with bells around their ankles we are greeted by with some of the children doing the native Rwandan dance.  The clouds above us are dark and without warning they break open upon us.  Over 400 children and teachers run for cover. Dancing & singing resumes inside during the rain.

The rain has made the roads very slippery and my journey is not complete yet.  My place of rest is a few miles up the mountain behind the school.  As we head toward the village of "Muhoroko" our vehicle slides this way and that.  At some points we stop, roll backwards and try again.  We arrive safe and sound at the Catholic Parish/Guest House.

The sisters do not speak English and I don't speak French J  My room looks out over the valley below. I can see the working diamond mine below.   From my window I view the 70 orphans cared for here.  Forty eight of these orphans have handicaps or are disabled in some way.  Two of the orphans have grown up here and have been schooled here. They speak English and are happy to assist me.  Before settling in for the night I am given permission to visit with the orphans below me and pray with them.  I pray with each one individually.  They line up before me waiting for their turn.  The cripples, the mutes, the deaf, the blind, those with seizures, those with mental handicaps, those with crutches, some in wheelchairs, some with ulcers & rashes,  they all waited patiently and quietly for their turn.   In the small room with bunk beds surrounding me I see little ones snuggling into one bed together.  Some bunks are without a mattress.  The mountain air is so cool at night.  Almost two hours later I return to my room.  From my window I look down on some of the children and wave to them.  Oh, how happy they are to be noticed.

 

John 13:34  "Love One Another"

Greetings from Africa

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A Second Chance

February 16, 2009 Monday

 Pastor Joseph showed me where they first started meeting with the street boys and girls. Eight years have passed and now this small park in the middle of the city is surrounded by parked cars and more buildings.  They began by coming once a week and passing out bread to those living on the streets.  Today God is opening a new door for them.  They are in the process of meeting the parents, chief of the village or the official in the home land of each boy.  With the proper papers signed many of the boys will have a chance at leaving the city.  There is a vocational school outside the city limits of Nairobi that is will to take some of the boys.  After eighty years of hard work in a dangerous setting they are seeing "Victory".   Many of the street children will have a "second chance".

 

We travel with three different matatus, walk several streets and dodge cars and people. There are so many people and cars you can not tell if you are walking in a parking lot or in the street.  It looks like a gigantic yard sale and everything is free J   We finally arrive at the Bible League and it is worth the trip.  We have signed up for a program that will allow us to buy Bibles at an reduced price. God is so good.

 

February 15, 2009 Sunday

Pastor Chris tells me about his uninvited guest as we walk to church through the slums of Kawangware.  His wife runs the family farm in Western Kenya.  While Rose was sleeping 10 boys were cutting down and stealing her sugarcane.  When she heard noise outside she took a "torch" and saw that the boys had broken through her fence and were taking the cows.  She started hollering and woke the neighbors.  They came to her aid and the boys ran leaving the cows behind.  The elders in the village collected the boys together as they were recognized before running off.  The village people wanted to have the elders kill the boys but in this case the Pastor's word spared them.

 

When we arrived at church the benches were already set up outside.  Forty children were waiting in the hot sun.  I see "Purity's" eyes light up as I enter the area.  Today we are learning about Noah.  We are enjoying the lesson and our time together when I notice one of the church men standing with me.  I thought it was strange but I continued on.  A little while later another man comes out of the church and walks around us.  Then I see the Pastor do the same.  What I couldn't see and didn't realize was that there were 10 police officiers with AK47's on the other side of the church.  There were also a couple hundred people gathered on the other side watching.  On Friday the police had shot and killed two thieves in the road near the church.  Today they had found more that belonged to that group.   They were arresting a man and his wife found in their home beside the church. Opium, a gun and a police uniform were found inside the home.  Four sets of handcuffs were put on the man.  At the back door of the church a couple hundred people are standing and watching as all of this is taking place.  Shem is among them but soon he is inside sitting with us.   It is Shem's friends that are being arrested and killed. God is working in Shem's life.  God can change him and change his name.  Saul became "Paul", a mighty man of God.

 Friday there was a time of all night prayer at church.  "Shem" joins everyone at the church for prayer.  The long "club" like stick he came with still rests in the the corner of the church.

Greetings from Africa

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Greetings from Africa

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He Points Toward Heaven

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Women with yellow water buckets are lined up at the corner waiting for their turn.  Some know it is going to be a wait.  They rest by using their bucket as a stool.  Here in Kawangware there is a water shortage.  The lack of rain has put another challenge, another hardship, on the people here.  Water trucks no longer come everyday of the week.  Now because of the lack of water the trucks only come two days a week.  The price of water has doubled from 5 ksh to 10 ksh per bucket.  Prices are rising making life here extremely difficult.  A 2 kilo bag of uga or corn meal used to make ugali, which is their main meal, has jumped in price from 45 ksh to 100 ksh.  There are so many in need.  So many hurting people.

 

Thirty nine pair of eyes looked on with anticipation of the next word that would leave my mouth.  The neighboring church didn't have anything for their children today so everyone was waiting with eagerness for the lesson to begin.  Samson was the topic of today's lesson.

 

Shem joined us in the afternoon.  He wanted more prayer.  He has seen an answer to prayer in his own life.  Last time we prayed together we asked that God would bless him with work.  Today he tells us with excitement in his eyes that he has a new job.  Then he points toward heaven J  

 

We also had a young man come in after the service. This young man was not in church but close enough to hear the sermon.  With a big speaker mounted on the outside of the church the service echoes through out the area.  In the afternoon he came into the church to ask more questions about what he had heard.  Before he left Daniel asked Jesus into his heart.  He plans on coming back next Sunday.

 

A while ago we prayed for a woman who has been troubled with stomach pain which hindered her from eating regular foods.  The doctor told her she needed surgery.  Since we prayed she has not had any pain. She is eating normally with out complications.  The doctor has repeated some tests on her and verifies that the problem is gone.  She doesn't need surgery.  The Lord has healed her.

 

Psalm 5:3

In the morning , oh Lord, you hear my voice;

In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Those Who Sit In Darkness

Saturday, January 31, 2009 – Kawangware

Ninety two pastors filled the church today as they had a day of learning and enjoying the company of each other.  Pastors here are being encouraged to try to start their own business.  This will benefit their families, the church and the community. Their success will be an example to many that it can be done.

 

Sunday, February 1, 2009 – Kawangware

The Salvation Army marched ahead of us today as we walked to church. Dressed in white they marched in step with the beat of the drums. Some proudly waved flags above their heads. 

 

A woman with a big smile stopped us along the way.  It was the hairdresser we had prayed for.  When we prayed for her she was resting on the floor of her shop. She did not have the strength to stand and work. There isn't any sign of sickness now.  She is energetic, happy and full of joy. She thanks us for taking the time to pray for her.  She knows it is the Lord Jesus that touched her and healed her.

 

We move benches outside for the children's time.  There is a group of children being taught out side a neighboring church.  Their eyes, followed by smiles, watch me as I get ready.  When they say their last "amen" there is an immediate "rush" to the benches in our corner.  A total of 32 children sat with us today as we talked about Moses.

 

We had a powerful service today. At the end of the service two people ask Jesus into their heart.  Sunday service starts with prayer at 8 am and ends with prayer from 6 -8 pm.  After the main service is over there are group meetings, visiting and teaching classes.  Children from the area come and go freely.  Sometimes we have a little squabble to see who is going to sit the closest to me.  My skin is rubbed to see what is underneath. My hair is touched over and over again.  The veins in my hands are examined.  If I stand and walk I have about 20 that stand and walk with me.  My hands and arms carry many little hands with them.  My skirt is held onto by the little ones. Now and then they will be told by someone to give me a rest. These little ones are the next churchJ

 

As we are sitting inside we often hear the beating of drums.  Today the drums are loud. We realize something is very different as we hear the drums coming our way.  As they near our door we all go to see what is happening.  Men dressed in white robes and women in white dresses are carrying flags of white, green & red. Women are dancing. They have marched through the roads to the door of our church. They turn and then settle in the road out front.  There are probably 200 or so people in this group.  They usually worship in a completely closed and darkened room but today they are meeting in the road.  One man runs wildly up and down the road beating his drum to scare away the evil spirits.  There are so many in need of the truth.  So many are bound by darkness.

 

Isaiah 42 : 6 & 7

 

I the Lord, have called you in righteousness; 

I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you

and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 

to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison,

and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Tears Turn To Smiles

Saturday, January 24, 2009  Koriokor

 

The bus drops us off on the east side of Nairobi.  Before we get off the bus we pray for a woman who is visibly ill.  She is very thin and pain is seen in her face.

 

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 3^rd 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 Africa.  The children love them.  Debbie is missed greatly but her ministry of giving to others still is going on.

 

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.

Big Smiles On Little Faces

Friday, January 23, 2009  In The Slums of Kawangware Treasures filled my backpack today.  Pencils, crayons, school paper, flash cards, coloring books, reading books, and many other items arrived from the United States.  The generous hearts of the "Somersworth, NH Youth Safe House" filled 3 boxes of very useful and needed items for the school children of Africa.  It was my pleasure to carry them the last few miles of the journey.  Today they were given into the hands of all sizes.  The smiles of every one were the same…"BIG" J

 

Every child now has a pencil of their own and a box of crayons.  The world globe was blown up by one of the men.  Pointing to Africa and then America they realize there is some distance between our homes.  One young boy tells me he heard my plane when I arrived. J 

 

The teaching aids are something just not found here in Kawangware.  The headmaster and the teachers had a discussion as to where they could safely keep the box with out fear of it disappearing.

 

It was time to collect the pencils so they would have them for another school day. One little girl refused to turn hers in.  She insisted it was her pencil.  After awhile she went along with the others but reluctantly.

 

Just a pencil is such a treasure.  One pencil cost 15 KSH and if a parent has a job they make about 100 KSH a day. With a rent payment and the cost of food there isn't any money left to buy extra items.

 

I've watched the children take tests. One or two at a time will stand beside the teacher. They will fill in the paper and she will correct it.  Then the answers are erased and a couple more students come to take the test.  They take the test on the same paper. This procedure is used until everyone has taken the test using only a couple pieces of paper.  They just can not afford the extra supplies.

 

They all send their "thank you" to America.  Thank you Roger & Betty Eaton for working with the "Somersworth, NH Youth Safe House" on this project. Also we want to express our thanks to the "Lion's Club" for covering the cost of postage for these 3 boxes.

 

Many, many thanks for putting "BIG" smiles on little faces in Africa. J

A Kodak Moment

Today, Sunday January 18^th, we walked to church thanking God for two days of unexpected rain.  The dust has settled at least for a couple days. Thirty children joined us today as we talked about Daniel and the lions den. They save each word spoken and readily repeat it. After the service we had one young man accept Jesus into his heart.  He is alone here as both parents have died. He holds the evidence of sadness in his eyes.

 

Monday January 19^th, 2009  As we head to the east side of Nairobi we are delayed as we sit in traffic.  The sun quickly raises the temperature inside the bus.  We arrive safely to the east side and start our walk through several busy streets. Our destination is the area beyond the river.  We walk at a steady pace past shops of all kinds.  I see the surprised look on many faces as whites are seldom seen here, especially "walking". J We get close to a small intersection and see two boys sleeping on the sidewalk.  Pastor Joseph knows them all and calls them by name. Frances is one of the older boys.  He is bruised and scraped up. With a swollen and infected bottom lip he tells us how the hospital refused him treatment after he was hit by a car.  Peter is another well known boy in the area.  Some time ago he was shot through the back.  He now walks with a limp. Their eyes open wide as they listen to how much God loved Jacob, a man on the run. They both remove their caps as we pray together. We would later return with medicine for Frances mouth.

 

We walk through an area new to me.  It is called the "cereal" area.  There are sacks and sacks of beans, rice, lentils, grain and corn.  The streets are not passable because of so many trucks loading and unloading.  We wind our way through the maze of people, trucks, carts and piles of sacks.  We find ourselves walking sideways.  Putting shoulder first we push our way through. After tea & fruit at the pastor's home we continue walking toward the river. We stop and share the gospel with a few people along the way.  The sun is beating down upon us as we walk the street. On this street you can buy any car part you might need. Both sides of the street are lined with shops selling auto parts.  We round the corner to walk the last little stretch. As a general rule I'm usually in the lead as we walk.  This enables Pastor Joseph to watch what is happening all around me.   He is literally "watching my back"J Today I am leading as we round the corner into the area of the sidewalk vendors.  Every possible inch is used to sell their goods.  It is busy, busy, busy. A short distance in front of me I see a mob forming.  Merchandise is quickly being grabbed by the arm full and voices are getting louder.  Everything within me tells me to turn and run for safety.  With my body engaged and ready to run I turn & step right on top of the pastor's shoes.  He very calmly and gently says "don't run, stand still, don't run, stand still".  I did exactly as I was told J  I remained standing on his shoes.   I felt the bodies of many bumping into my body as they hurried past me.  It was soon calm again and we walked past the police toward the river.  It is illegal for the vendors to be selling here. The police arrive unannounced very now and then to try to move the vendors out of the area.  So in fear of being arrested the vendors were gathering their things and closing shop early J

 

Once across the small hand made wooden bridge we meet four young mothers sitting on the ground with their babies. The flies are every where but that doesn't stop little Benson from smiling!  Rose a very young mother asks for prayer.  She can not produce milk for her baby. We pray with her and she asks Jesus into her heart.  Before we leave her we see that milk is bought for the baby. 

 

I soon realize I have a new friend.  Kevin, a 3 year old boy with a terrific twinkle in his eye loves to follow me.  Kevin happily sits in my lap as I sit and answer questions for a man deeply rooted in a cult.  This man has lived in a hole in the ground for two weeks. His leader gave him a date when the earth was going to end.  We talk for sometime inside a sheet metal building.  As I sit there my eyes and nose begin to smart and burn.  I look to the side and I see a dense cloud rolling close to the ground along the path.  I notice people running from it. I'm thinking some thing must be on fire.  Then I am told it is tear gas. No one in the building with me seems upset.  It seems they have been through this before.  I'm calmly told to keep my eyes closed as the cloud moves along the path passed the sheet metal building.

 

The word is out that a visitor has arrived and many come to us.  One man accepts Jesus into his heart as he nervously scans the area while praying.  "Charms" a woman known for witchcraft stands off to the side and listens.

 

Our time for visiting those on the other side of the river has ended for another day.  It has not been a wasted day.  It has not been a day of defeat. We have witnessed a day of victory.  We rejoice with the angels above over the eleven people that asked Jesus into their heart today.  Each one is special. Each one with a name:  John, James, Francis, Rose, Stacy, Lillian…….

  

On the way back to the Pastor's home I see the lady with out legs.  Every bit of her energy goes into moving her upper body with her hands.  I stop and at eye level I introduce myself to her.  With great happiness she tells me she is Christian. We talk about the day when she will "run" on streets of gold.  Very soon a crowd of people has circled us.  It was a time to share the gospel message with many.  The more I talked the larger the crowd grew.  One man wanted prayer for his son who was troubled with seizures.

 

Night was coming quickly and we are almost to the Pastor's home.  My eyes fall on a young boy about 15 years old sniffing.  We start talking.  Francis is new to the streets.  He passes me his bottle and asks Jesus into his heart. The bus ride home takes a little longer as everyone is trying to leave the inner city at the end of the day.  Tired and in need of rest we finally arrive at the stage.  We end the day with one more police check.

 

Tuesday, January 20^th, 2009  The  bus delivers us from the west side of Nairobi to the east side.  Today we are going to "Kariokor" to meet with the younger street kids,  ages 5-17.  Pastor Joseph & Gladys meet with them at least once a week.  As we leave the bus stage and walk through the busy streets we meet John.  John has just been released from jail.  His body is weak and he has a rash covering his face.  He asked us to pray for him.  Pastor Joseph tells me this is John's usual area and he sleeps on a couch around the corner.  At the corner I looked down to see John's couch.  The hardness of reality hits me as a large cement block stares back at me. 

 

We pass a very large old tree in the center of a rotary.   I'm told how many would gather under the tree and worship facing Mt. Kenya.   As we walk on we see the new street boy, across the street.  I call out his name and with a smile on his face he joins us.  His eyes have life in them today.  We tell him about the meeting and invite him to join us. 

 

The sidewalks are busy and as we walk boys run from here and there to join us.  They are all happy to see the Pastor.  He is their family. Today was a pure "Kodak Moment".  I wish I could have shared it with those at home.  As I led the way a trail of homeless followed.  With their filthy, dirty, tattered clothes,(all they had) with one shoe on, blackened with grease, brown teeth from tobacco stains, scars, wounds, many sniffing glue and a sack of belongings they had collected that day on their back, they followed a clean small framed white woman down the sidewalks of Nairobi.

 

We entered a little hide away village. The earth was black from the residue of oils, grease and charcoal. Little sheet metal structures lined booth sides of the path.  It is a busy place.  Much of the dump pickings ends up in this area.  The boys bring there sacks of plastic, metal, and glass here in exchange for enough money for one meal. We enter a sheet metal "Hotel" where food is served.  This is their weekly meeting spot.  About 20 boys show up today.  They are given tea and something to eat. There are times they can only have ½ cup of tea but today the cup is full. There is only one woman amongst all the guys.  She sniffs and eats while her little son walks around without shoes and pants. I use the salvation bracelets to tell them the gospel message.  As I pass them out I am surprised with the many that say "thank you".  As a group of 12 we ask Jesus into our heart. As I begin to pray I see the caps and knit hats being removed one by one. They don't sit long.  They are off again trying to fill their sacks.

 

As we walk to the Pastor's home we pass the tipped over fruit carts.  Some are busy collecting what they can off the ground for food.  The owners of the fruit carts watch from inside the police wagon.

 

Mark 16:15  Go into ALL the world and preach the good news to ALL creation.