Day 4: In Nairobi and to Mathare

Today was an eye-opening day. After flying from Addis and meeting our contacts from LIA Kenya, we loaded up our equipment and went to the Mathare. The bad news was that it’s the rainy season. So the slums were thickly coated with mud and just utterly horrendous. Rain makes everything so much worse. The smell today was more powerful than any day so far and the conditions were worse as well. The scenes were heartbreaking with the mud and the shear size of the slum. This was larger than any we saw in Addis and tomorrow we go to the largest in Africa…I can’t imagine.

The only thing that kept me from breaking down was the face of the children. They light up when you say hi, touch them, smile at them and share time with them. Stepping out of our comfort zone to be here and to experience brothers and sisters in Africa highlights the world for me in a different light.

As I unpack these experiences over the following days, weeks, and months, all I know is I won’t forget this day.

There were many highlights (believe it or not). Seeing the work of the church in this place was soul empowering. Giving people glasses so they can see, dentistry work so they could live without pain, at least for a few moments, and helping women who had Aids with micro-loans, counseling and support. All good. This all took place in a church in the slums that provided schooling to the children, along with all the activities above plus more. As Brian photographed these kids, they were overjoyed and often fought for a place in line. It was the greatest gift to be a highlight of their day.

As we left to go back to meet with the Kenya board and share a meal, I wondered about their night. What would it be like? I thought of my family and I want to see them…right now.

Dinner was enriching. Surrounded by richly educated Kenyans and Ugandans I saw the hope, the power, the faith, and the readiness to change this place and the rest of Africa. They thanked me and the rest of the team for being a part of the work, and I felt honored and honestly overwhelmed. As a pastor said to us in Addis…”The work is very hard…but it is good.” I would simply add, “…and it must be done.”

As we wearily went to bed that night listening to the rain that began to fall, my heart wept…could it just not rain Lord, not tonight.