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Friday, December 7, 2007

A Muslim on the roadside and finding life in abundance...


Yesterday I had the opportunity to go back in to Jangwani and do some home visits. I took the American LIA interns with me, which was great. We first went and met Faith and her mother Immaculate at their home. It was a joy to be with them - their home is one I visit every time I am in Kenya. We then visited Mama Naftali, Mama Mwendwe and ended at Sarah's home and visited her mother for a bit. We carried some food to each of the homes.

It is an incredibly humbling experience each time I visit each child's home, because they live with so little, and don't always have a bed, but they have found joy in things beyond what I know. While doing the home visits we ran into some of the other children - Christopher, Diana, another Diana, Agnes, Njeri, Mercy and Sammy. Consolata and Bella (two of the main staff with the project) have such a love for the people of the area and were a pleasure to be with once again.


We then traveled (which took forever might I add) to the Methodist Guesthouse on the other side of town. LIA was having an end of the year party, as well as a send off for the Interns. It was a joy to be around the LIA staff and volunteers. I had conversations with Dr. Muhudhia, Nancy, Muema, Bukachi, Ken and others and I had one thought at the end of the time - These people are living out what their organization stands for. They are living life abundantly and helping others to do so as well. They have found that John 10:10 has more depth than the wealth of this world - the abundant life that is described is simply living in the knowledge and understanding of the grace of God and pursuing a life that reflects that grace that God has bestowed upon us. It was just a great experience, and was another affirming moment as to why I have partnered with such a wonderful organization.

Lastly, I had an interesting experience on my way home. I left the guesthouse to get a matatu to go to Anne and Chege's for dinner. As I was waiting with a number of Kenyans at the bus stop, a man in an old Mercedes pulled up and told me to come to the window. He asked if I would like a ride. At first I was slightly hesitant because this is not something that happens very often, but then I said yes.

The man had a slightly Arabic/Indian look to him, so my first thoughts unfortunately were, I wonder if he wants to chew me out for being an American and how terrible my country was. Rather he asked where I was going and I told him, and he asked if I knew my way around and I told him, yes that I had lived here for a year. He told me that whenever he sees a westerner or Asian on the roadside he generally asks if they need a ride because he figures they are lost. He told me he was a 4th generation Pakistani Kenyan. His great grandparents had come to Kenya to work on the railroad from Mombasa to Nairobi. They now own a butchery in an area of Nairobi called Hurlingham.

I noticed a small porcelain object on his dashboard. It was in the shape of hands holding a book that had Arabic written on it. I asked him what it was and he said it was praying hands holding the Koran opened to a page reminding him to pray. We talked a bit more then he dropped me off. I add this to the blog for this reason...in a world where we hear about so much hate, about bombs blowing up people, about the war on terror and the hate between Christians and Muslims, I had the opportunity to experience a completely different side. My Muslim brother (although I don't agree with his beliefs) out of kindness offered me a ride, and then we sat together in conversation for a bit and headed our own separate ways. Things like that, unfortunately don't get on the news - it is only people committing heinous acts. So, that was my Thursday.



One thing I have forgotten to add - we've had a sad moment at the project. One of the little boys, Elvis who is 4 years old, just lost his mother 2 days ago to pneumonia - it is unclear whether HIV/AIDS or TB had anything to do with it. I have his picture here so you can be praying for Elvis. Thanks...

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Hello Mr. Administration...

I've had a quick reminder of the "holistic" nature of this project - not necessarily the direct holistic approach of different aspects of the project, but rather the highs of last week with the children, to the mundane/eye burning nature of the administrative work that is required by such a project. I have sat behind the computer much of the last few days - restructuring our budget according to the recent Management/Executive Committee meetings we have had.

The budget is now complete in US dollars and Kenya Shillings, and has been given to Nancy, the LIA Kenya accountant to be in place for next year. Some difficulty has come to stay within budget, not because of extra costs, but because of the failing US Dollar within the global community. Nevertheless, I believe we have come to a good place, and we have a bit of a buffer in case George Washington and Ben Franklin continue to plummet.

I now have some flat mates, interns from the US through Southeast Christian Church in Louisville who have been working with LIA. They returned from Ethiopia yesterday. So, it's been good to get to know them a bit and hear about their experiences in Kenya and Ethiopia.

I also had the chance to return to Mavuno Church this past weekend and reunite with some old friends. When I get small blocks of time I have tried to get together with friends. My time in Kenya is gradually coming to a close, but I still have a few things to do before leaving. On Thursday I am going to take the interns and a visiting member from the LIA-U.S. board to Jangwani to do some home visits with some of the kids parents.

I am doing well and very encouraged by this visit, and anxious to get back and get more funds raised and committed to the project. Thank you for the continued prayers. Again, I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing work that God is doing.