I arrived home safely from Kenya on Saturday and I'm still overwhelmed with emotions from my experience there. It was truly an amazing two weeks and I feel so honored and blessed that God opened up the opportunity for me to be a part of the awesome team He carefully put together to serve out His purpose in the Kawangware Slums of Kenya. I'm still processing all I saw and heard and felt while there. God was and continues to be at work in my life through this experience.
Upon arriving in the Kawangware Slums and seeing the living conditions for the first time, my heart broke. Broken down huts, trash, sewage, sick animals, hungry children, people so affected by HIV.....it tore me to pieces. My heart ached for these people and I began to wonder how my team of just 12 people could possibly make a difference in two short weeks. But, with God, nothing is impossible and I quickly learned that if we kept our focus on God, mountains could be moved and they were definitely moved!
It didn't take long for me to be able to look past the visual heartbreak of life in the slums and see the heart of the people that live there. What I saw was neighbors helping neighbors. People looking out for each other's children and a sense of community that I envy and long for at home. Sure, there were pick-pockets and drunks and places to avoid, but overall, I saw joy in the faces of the people I passed as I walked through the slums. I began to see people that had joy in their hearts despite the poverty all around them. As I walked along the road, I found that a smile on my face and a wave of my hand brought stares at my white skin to a friendly welcome on the faces of the people I passed.
What amazed me most about the Kawangware Slums was the hospitality of the people. At home, I would never open my door to a stranger, but as we approached the homes of complete strangers, we were welcomed in with warm hospitality. We found people that desperately wanted to know about Jesus and wanted us to pray with and for them. Never have I felt so welcomed by complete strangers!
One of my team's major tasks in Kenya was to put on the first ever youth only (ages 12-17) VBS for CCP (Chosen Children of Promise). We started each afternoon with fun games, which they loved. The kids were divided into two teams, "Kaboomboom" and "Gladiators" (they came up with the names) and they competed for points. The kids cheered for each other like I've never heard before. I often spent game time in complete awe of their great spirit for each other. After game time, was worship time with the kids leading the songs of praise. Let me tell you, these kids know how to worship! As I posted before, I had the awesome opportunity to teach on forgiveness and it was such an amazing experience to hear feedback from the kids how they learned from my experiences and yearned for hearts of forgiveness. We also did small groups to discuss the lessons. I was often blown away by how well they all listened and applied what they learned to their lives. It took some time to build that trust, but once we built it, the floodgates were opened. I led a group, along with CCP staff member, Emmanual, of 12 kids that I adored. The days were always wrapped up with snacks of tea and Mandazi (kind of like a donut) and closing worship song. We all agreed that the VBS was a huge success and best of all, over 20 kids gave their lives to Christ!
Some of my favorite moments in Kenya were the opportunities we had to give generously to the people. Through the money that my team raised to go to Kenya, we were able to bless so many people. We had the awesome opportunity to surprise 110 kids with brand new pairs of shoes. Most of those kids have never owned a new pair of shoes that actually fit their feet! (We traced the feet of all the children to get their sizes.) Also, through a prayer walk we did our first full day in the slums, we were able to identify 250 families that not only desperately needed the love of Christ, but also desperately were in need of food and basic household supplies. We put together 250 "goody bags" and, with the help of the VBS kids, hand delivered them to the families we met and prayed with on the prayer walk. The joy and surprise on their faces as we delivered the bags brought tears to my eyes. Through that simple gesture of love, many people gave their lives to Christ. I so wish I could be there in two weeks, when each of those families will be surprised by a second bag filled with the same supplies. The CCP staff will make those deliveries. The VBS kids were so honored to be able to give such gifts that they could never do on their own. Best of all, upon return to the community center, we surprised all the kids with bags for them to take home too.
There were two special girls that I formed special bonds with while in Kenya. First, was 4-year-old Hadassah that I now sponsor and wrote about in a previous blog. The second was a 15-year-old girl by the name of Lydia. She was in my small group and everyday she would save the chair next to her for me to sit in. I was always the first person she looked for when she arrived at the CCP Community Center and the last person she said goodbye to each day. She was a shy girl that didn't have a lot to say, but her smile said it all. She wrote me such a touching note on my last day sharing how much I had touched her life. But truly, it was my life that was touched by her! She also shared that she hoped her aunt would give her permission to come live with me in the USA. If only it were that simple, I would gladly welcome her. I told her to return to the Community Center the next Monday and there would be a surprise for her. I left a bunch of my clothes and headbands for her. I wish I could see her face when she receives them.
Although our team was able to accomplish so much in the Kawangware Slums in two short weeks, it's my life that was forever changed. I learned so much about myself and grew closer to Christ through this experience. It was a true blessing for me to work alongside of the amazing CCP staff and 11 other teammates that will forever be in my heart. A huge piece of my heart was left in Kenya and I can't wait to return again.
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