Still....Peace....Quiet

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Today we visited the Muthare Slum, and a small school within called St. Philips. We had been fairly warned that the conditions we would see would be deplorable, as this slum is known as one of the worst in Africa. With nearly 650,000 impoverished residents, to say this place is crowded is an understatement. To visitors, all senses are offended, the nose and eyes the most. The sights the eyes see should be one that no one must see everyday. The nose was tortured by the fumes of rotting trash, burning fires, and raw sewage. Merely leaning against a wall or door frame filled one with germs and the tiny rooms were overheated by the many bodies and lack of ventilation. Just opening the mouth infiltrated the tongue with offensive flavors. Yet, in this terrible place there so many contradictions: beautiful voices in the mist of ugliness; clean laundry in the mist of filth; blooming flowers in barren land; forgotten children in a place no one who enters ever forgets; fresh vegetables in stale land; hope when hopeless; happy faces in the saddest of circumstances; simple needs with the most complex of solutions; joy in the mist of sorrow; utter happiness in the saddest of times; and gratitude when there's seemingly nothing worth giving thanks. On our visit to St. philips School, we were welcomed by the children, headmaster and committee members. Children stood, greeted us, shared their dreams for the future, prayed for us and sang the most beautiful songs. The school choir came in second last year in the national choir competition and that's no small feat. The physical conditions of the classes were simply terrible. Of all the schools we have visited, these ere by far the smallest with the most bodies. The metal roof overhangs are so low that I could have easily hit my forehead and one had to duck to enter all the classes. Floors are red dirt and sheet metal makes up the walls. Some classes have gaping holes in the walls, and one child stuck a hand through for us to give home five. There is no electricity, light comes from the door and, in a few places, small windows. Like all other homes and schools, the porridge is prepared on an open fire stove. The nursery class, which houses three and four year olds seemed the smallest, about 8x10. The door wouldn't open all the way and visitors could only peek their head around the door. There were between 20 and 30 babies with the most gracious and energetic teacher. All classes look the same: tallest children in the back rows, with a thin desk, then another row of children. The rows are so close together it's as if the children got in and the next row was pushed as tight as possible against them. There were no isles and to get in and out the children crawled over the desks. The potty is the 'stream' of sewage that runs down all the alleys. Once the 6, 7, and 8th graders broke into song of 'Beautiful Morn', there was not one dry eye in the cramped, hot room. The sadness floated away and the hope and dreams took over. The solo of my favorite song, Simple Gifts, was beautiful. Imagine 50 of the poorest children in the world singing in perfect harmony, "zippity do da, zippity day, I've got a feeling everything's going my way". Our choir director declared that some of the songs were high school level five songs. Following the slums, we visited a factory where refugee women are employed to sew items and sell in their gift shop. There's a cafe and after you place your order, you get a tour of the factory. The women dye and batik the fabric, cut, sew, then sell the items. I loved it! Our group bought $5500 worth of what we are calling 'retail mission'. it's called amni ya ju and the have a retail store in DC.

Methane slums 3

More slum photos.....the sadness continues

Methare slums 2

Methare slums

Today we visited the methane slums. Here are some of the drastic images.

Kenya photos

Some photos of our trip thus far

Tuesday -Childlike

Day 5 - Childlike Nairobi Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Today was our first day of work at the Ringuti School, a relationship that Covenant began three years ago. Yesterday's school visits had prepared me for much worse conditions than we found. In fact, the campus was quite well equated compared to the two from yesterday. The school consisted of quite a few spereate buildings, each adorned with small flower gardens and connected with cement paths, which greatly reduced the amount of red mud in the classes. Like the other schools the rooms open directly into courtyards. We were greeted immediately by smiling, happy faces. Older students asked for members of last year's team by name, "Where's Deb?". Reportedly one fifth grade girl wept when her favorite person didn't return. She obviously has been looking forward t her return for 15 months. I visited from the constructions site, where we were assisted by fifth grade boys, who pushed wheelbarrows and shoveled, taking the shovels from us girls. Fine with me! They said it was fun, and there wasn't much else to do on the playground anyway. Apparently, on this trip, playing with the kids and relationship building is more important than the construction of the walls, which is just my speed! The children, who were in class until shortly after our arrival, welcomed us with song during an assembly, then spent the rest of the day running free a lung the school grounds. Playing with us was the work of the day! I hugged on preschoolers, kindergarteners, sang in music class, taught a poem, drew with new friends. I did a lot of photography and found capturing perfect images of the medical team quite a challenge. They were housed in a beautiful old sanctuary building made of clapboards with spaces in between each. The darkness inside made getting the right shot a challenge, but well worth it because the characters were so unique: young, old and in between. The clinic was slammed, seeing 129 patients and sending the waiting crowd home to return on Thursday. That's tough when you walked 3 miles to get there! The most interesting patient was a 96 year old woman who saw Dr. Rogers. I helped her out of the clinic and walked her home. During interpretation, Dr. Rogers thought she said she walked 2 miles to get there, but she actually lived across the street. That's my first inside look at a home in the village here. Her family very nice and her son, who spoke English, told me her story. She was born in what is now Nairobi in 1915 and mov to this village when occupation by someone began (he wasn't sure who). She has since lived there and had five children. She was soooooo cute! Covenant's contemporary music director, Daniel, led a music camp and I'll each day while on campus. The children loved it- they made their own instruments with tennis balls filled with beans. They were so loud that, by the end of the day, I wanted to confiscate a few (and would have had a been in America). It was a fun day! Tomorrow we'll tour the methare slum then visit a sewing factory. I'm a little nervous about the sights of that slum! That's going to be a little overwhelming. The emails from home are great! I'm having some trouble sending emails but will keep trying. Will try to FaceTime tomorrow since the kids should be home. Love to everyone!

Monday- Beginnings

Covenant Goes to Kenya 2011 Nairobi, Charlotte Fri 09 Sep - Fri 23 Sep Met at airport at 11:30. Left late, after 4 hours in the Charlotte airport. We made our other connections on time. Day 1 Charlotte Friday, September 9, 2011 Day 2 - Travel Nairobi Saturday, September 10, 2011 Wow- long day of travel. I recommend getting a good nights sleep the night before departure and I didn't. Since I didn't sleep much, if at all, last night, now I'm really really tired. I don't think I will have trouble sleeping tonight! We arrived in Amsterdam this morning and had a layover of three hours, perfect for. Stretching legs between the back to back long flights. While sitting with Bill Keith, I learned that he is excellent with geography. He kindly increased our Stack the Countries score, something we have a hard time doing. We flew over the Sahara Desert today. It reminded me of the moon, with craters and barrenness as far as one can see. Our flight will land in Nairobi in two hours and the surprises will begin! It was a full 30 hours door-to-door travel time. It was midnight here when We went to bed. It had been al ost three nights of little, if any, sleep! Day 3 - Surprise! Sunday, September 11, 2011 This morning, the group gathered for breakfast then headed to A church service near, or on,the campus of the Universally of Nairobi. Since it was dark when we arrived, morning light brought our first glimpse of our settings. We are staying at a hospital guest house, which, by any traveling standards is acceptable, but by mission trip standards is downright luxurious (especially given the fact that my last mission trip required a lesson on how to hang a hammock). At the church, We attended the second of three services, all of which were packed with a mixture of young professionals, students, and white people. The service was upbeat, fast paced and contemporary. In fact, one could have easily assumed this service was located in the states. There were microphones, music with the lyrics displayed on Large screens, video camera, sound technicians, and the announcements were via animated video. Fun, welcoming, and the perfect start to this trip. Following the service, we headed to the Yaya market and mall, where we had lunch. Ate at a bakery so it was fortunate that I had packed a gluten free pb&j. Our guest house is refrigerating my bread. I was attacked in the market by vendors, one in particular, using every sales tactic known to man. My group didn't even come rescue me. I think I saw them laughing! Anyway, the stone hippo with which I left cost no schillings, but I paid with my time! afterwards, we walked a block or two to New Life Homes Ministry, an amazing place founded by Alice and Clive that rescues near death babies, treats them as their own with medical care and love, then finds homes for adoption. They told us their story, which I don't have time to relay now, but is profoundly moving. They now have multiple sites and house over 160 babies, offer day schools and feed 2000 children everyday. Amazing people. Next, we we're given a tour and encouraged to play with and hold the babies. It was such a warm, happy place it's easy to forget that they were left for dead in ditches by their mothers- just a few months or weeks ago. More info to come- family, I've got the perfect idea for the yearly group extended Christmas gift! We then drove to The Arc, a permanent home for children from the orphanage who will, most likely, never be adopted. Aging from 5 to 10, there are about 10 children who live here. All were most polite and welcoming, greeting us with personal introductions, tours and demonstrations of their cloth napkin folding skills. Hope and Connor, you've got a lot to learn! Their is one room for the girls and another for the boys. All toys were put away, nothing on the floors. School clothes for tomorrow were neatly laid out, everyone was obedient and no one fussed! And, they didn't even know we were coming! It was oblivious that the boys craved a father figure, as they latched on to the men in our group and played heartily! Returned for dinner and devotions. Glad I brought lots of food, as the meals served at our hostel are pasta, fried, or have breading. Today was wonderful, the perfect way to start this trip after two days of travel. It would have been hard to work on construction today. Tomorrow we head to a village to work on an eighth grade classroom. The medical team wil begin their clinic at the site of the school. Abby and I led tonight's devotion :surprise Devotion Read surprise scripture Ellen read fill a bucket Share surprise stories Ellen and Abby Groups of 3-4 share surprise story from life or today Share with large group Gensis 18 9-15 discuss that sup roses often come out of what we initially feel is a negative experience. Ask what about your surprise What were your feelings Write letter about expectations to self. Abby will mail in a month or two. Close with prayer Dear lord, Thank you for safe travels. Thank you for this place of surprises and the Marys and Clives of the world. Thank you for the blessings that most often come from devastating events. Thank you for invisible buckets, the opportunity to fill others buckets with happiness and joy, and the reward of filling our own buckets. Through the element of surprise, help us to open our hearts to your plan, because nothing is impossible through you. Day 4 - Beginnings Nairobi Monday, September 12, 2011 Today we visited two schools that our host missionary Irma started a few years ago. The schools were located near each other, but very far from here- the drive was about two hours. Once near the spot, we became lost when Irma couldn't find the turn off from the main road. There was lots of construction, as the road is being made into a 4-6 lane super highway, and nothing seemed the same as she remembered. Once we finally arrived at the first school site, the children saw us entering through the gates and scattered to their classes. My first image at this school was a run mud barren playground with a few children squatting near a bucket of water, washing their hands after using the outhouse, as a skin-and-bones dog watched. We were enthusiastically greeted by the headmaster and a member of the Presbyterian Church which shares the site. The classrooms were lined up, sitting on a cement slab with walls of corrugated metal. Upon entering the first class, full of 30 third graders crammed into a divided room the size of Connor's room, I was struck by the obedience, politeness, enthuasium of the teachers and apparent happiness of the children. Before even entering the classes our shoes were caked with an inch of mud, which tracked into each room behind us. The children neatly removed their shoes and placed them on one wall, revealing socks with tapping holes. Teachers had the children show off their English skills by reciting phrases, words and songs for us. With benches for seats and bare wooden desks for tables, no electricity or supplies, the school reminded me of images from the turn of the century before Mann revolutionized education. First, I was overcome with sadness for what these children did not have- sweaters without holes, pencils, posters, books - every most basic supply that we demand is needed for education. I couldn't believe the large class sizes and still, repetitious, auditory learning. I was angry at Kenyan government for allowing their schools to function like this. That's when I realized that this was no public school. These fortunate children have the pleasure of attending this fine and most desirable private school in the village. Their parents must pay for the feeding program and are asked to buy uniforms. Most children walk 2.5 miles one way, taking about an hour. On Thursday, we will walk this walk with a school child. There are two huge advantages to this private school over public. First, class sizes max at 30 in Irma's schools where there are 80-90 students per class in public schools. Secondly, children a taught English in Irma's schools, but not in public (I'm assuming instruction is in Swahili). Knowing English is the only way out of their current poverty cycle. Primary School is important. Children are given a test in 7th grade. Scores determine who goes on to high school, but families still must be able to pay the tuition. What's really sad is not what's not happening inside the school yard, but what happens outside. After our visit, I wondered outside to find a little boy, who looked to be about 9 or 10 peering in through the holes in the fence. With no uniform or shoes, it was clear he wasn't going to school today, and most likely never. Even public school is not free. Each school had one lone metal slide, which was closed today due to the mud. One class had old tires stacked in the corner, presumably as outside toys. One room had three paint cans on a shelf- the entire contents of the art supply closet. The bareness of the rooms was unmistakable. There were not enough supplies in either school worth mentioning. But was was overflowing was the happiness of these children. They live completely off the grid, with no electricity at home or school. Yet they are happier than many children I know who have everything their heart desires- except contentment. They seem completely content. Makes me wonder who is the most free..... It was a wonderful day and I'm so blessed to be here! Missing my friends and family! Tomorrow begins our first day of construction at Ringuiti school.

Covenant Goes to Kenya 2011

Please forward

Sat 10 - Travel

Nairobi

Wow- long day of travel. I recommend getting a good nights sleep the night before departure and I didn't. Since I didn't sleep much, if at all, last night, now I'm really really tired. I don't think I will have trouble sleeping tonight!

We arrived in Amsterdam this morning and had a layover of three hours, perfect for. Stretching legs between the back to back long flights.

While sitting with Bill Keith, I learned that he is excellent with geography. He kindly increased our Stack the Countries score, something we have a hard time doing.

We flew over the Sahara Desert today. It reminded me of the moon, with craters and barrenness as far as one can see.

Our flight will land in Nairobi in two hours and the surprises will begin!

It was a full 30 hours door-to-door travel time. It was midnight here when We went to bed. It had been al ost three nights of little, if any, sleep!

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Sun 11 - Surprise!


This morning, the group gathered for breakfast then headed to A church service near, or on,the campus of the Universally of Nairobi. Since it was dark when we arrived, morning light brought our first glimpse of our settings.

We are staying at a hospital guest house, which, by any traveling standards is acceptable, but by mission trip standards is downright luxurious (especially given the fact that my last mission trip required a lesson on how to hang a hammock).

At the church, We attended the second of three services, all of which were packed with a mixture of young professionals, students, and white people.

The service was upbeat, fast paced and contemporary. In fact, one could have easily assumed this service was located in the states. There were microphones, music with the lyrics displayed on Large screens, video camera, sound technicians, and the announcements were via animated video. Fun, welcoming, and the perfect start to this trip.

Following the service, we headed to the Yaya market and mall, where we had lunch. Ate at a bakery so it was fortunate that I had packed a gluten free pb&j. Our guest house is refrigerating my bread. I was attacked in the market by vendors, one in particular, using every sales tactic known to man. My group didn't even come rescue me. I think I saw them laughing! Anyway, the stone hippo with which I left cost no schillings, but I paid with my time!

afterwards, we walked a block or two to New Life Homes Ministry, an amazing place founded by Alice and Clive that rescues near death babies, treats them as their own with medical care and love, then finds homes for adoption. They told us their story, which I don't have time to relay now, but is profoundly moving. They now have multiple sites and house over 160 babies, offer day schools and feed 2000 children everyday. Amazing people.

Next, we we're given a tour and encouraged to play with and hold the babies. It was such a warm, happy place it's easy to forget that they were left for dead in ditches by their mothers- just a few months or weeks ago. More info to come- family, I've got the perfect idea for the yearly group extended Christmas gift!

We then drove to The Arc, a permanent home for children from the orphanage who will, most likely, never be adopted. Aging from 5 to 10, there are about 10 children who live here. All were most polite and welcoming, greeting us with personal introductions, tours and demonstrations of their cloth napkin folding skills. Hope and Connor, you've got a lot to learn! Their is one room for the girls and another for the boys. All toys were put away, nothing on the floors. School clothes for tomorrow were neatly laid out, everyone was obedient and no one fussed! And, they didn't even know we were coming! It was oblivious that the boys craved a father figure, as they latched on to the men in our group and played heartily!

Returned for dinner and devotions. Glad I brought lots of food, as the meals served at our hostel are pasta, fried, or have breading.

Today was wonderful, the perfect way to start this trip after two days of travel. It would have been hard to work on construction today.

Tomorrow we head to a village to work on an eighth grade classroom. The medical team wil begin their clinic at the site of the school.

Abby and I led tonight's devotion :surprise
Devotion
Read surprise scripture
Ellen read fill a bucket
Share surprise stories Ellen and Abby
Groups of 3-4 share surprise story from life or today
Share with large group
Gensis 18 9-15
discuss that sup roses often come out of what we initially feel is a negative experience.

Ask what about your surprise
What were your feelings

Write letter about expectations to self. Abby will mail in a month or two.

Close with prayer

Dear lord,
Thank you for safe travels. Thank you for this place of surprises and the Marys and Clives of the world. Thank you for the blessings that most often come from devastating events. Thank you for invisible buckets, the opportunity to fill others buckets with happiness and joy, and the reward of filling our own buckets. Through the element of surprise, help us to open our hearts to your plan, because nothing is impossible through you.


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