Mzungu...................

First of all let me say that we have been well taken care of in terms of planning and security. Our Kenyan Country Reps, Ron and Martha have been terrific and work with a great team of partners and staff.

Nairobi is a relatively modern city.......the traffic is crazy (actually its more like insanity), there are shopping centres, and construction everywhere - a developing and growing city. Unfortunately, there is also a slum area! Today we visited the Menno Kids school in the heart of the slums. We were driven their in a van..........a white van driven by a Kenyan and full of Mzungu (the Kenyan term for white person). I have long understood that those of us in Canada and the US live a privileged life-style, but today I was even more keenly aware of it...................

Lunch - beans and maize

The Menno Kids School is an MCC Global Family Project. Their funding comes from MCC, the Kenyan Mennonite Church that meets in the school compound and the parents of the students. There are 428 students from ages 3 to grade 8 that attend this school and they all come from the area around the school. There are over 500,000 people living in this slum and many of the children don't attend any school. Enock, the school administrator is a gentle man. It is obvious that this is a calling for him. He feels that he is doing what God has asked him to do and that as the church they open their doors to any student that wants to come. Their only stipulation is that the children must attend regularly. Their gate opens at 6:45 am and the students attend school and clubs until about 5 pm. They are fed lunch that is made at the school - Mondy and Friday they have ugali (maize flour cooked into a think paste), Tuesday and Thursday the have a mix of beans and maize kernels, and Wednesday they have rice. Today they had the mix of beans and maize and we were privileged to join them....we ate our food in the office of the administrator while we chatted but we were served exactly what the children were served! Imagine cooking for 428 students and then serving them............... We were warmly welcomed and the students were very well behaved. Although when the cameras came out it was mayhem :)

SODIS project - clean water for all

The other interesting thing about this school is that they are running a water-purification project called SODIS (solar disinfection). The idea is that water is put into clear plastic bottles and then set in the sun to allow the UV rays of the sun to disinfect the water. They need 8 hours of sun so if it is overcast it needs 2 days. Incredible........so simple and yet so effective. The SODIS promoters, Fred, Jean and Grace, are wonderful and passionate about what they do. They are there to work with the students - teaching hygiene and the importance of clean water - this happens Monday and Friday. On Tuesday to Thursday these awesome promoters visit the homes of the students in the slums to follow up with parents and to help them spread the word to their neighbours. We saw the disinfected water bottles in the classrooms and we saw them in the sun being prepared for the students. We also heard how effective this is and how the much healthier the students are..............wow! It is awesome to be able to see this pilot project at work. Once the year is up there will be an evaluation done by a third party to determine the effectiveness of the project. We are confident that this will be proven effective and then we will need to look for further funding for this important work. The exciting thing is that this can be replicated anywhere..........all you need are clear bottles and a place to set them in the sun........yeah, I know, its amazing and exciting!

Millicent - vivacious, vibrant, beautiful

Enock, Fred, Grace and Jean then took us on a walk into the slums to visit with parents of some of the students. I have pictures to show, but honestly no words..................this was a difficult part of the visit - the conditions......yeah, no words............ But, we found hope! We found people who proudly display water bottles on their roofs to be disinfected. We found people who were happy because they were feeling so much better and had more energy, we found mothers and fathers and children - we found entrepeneurs, artisans, child rescue workers, day care providers, homemakers, weavers, seniors, children, babies, animals - chickens, ducks, goats........and more. The thing that amazed me was how they welcomed us and thanked us for visiting them. They didn't resent us or shun us........they welcomed us. We had the privilege of visiting in Millicient's home......a room about 10' by 8' with fabric walls to separate it from the next home - she had 'couches' covered in fabric for us to sit on and a table in the middle of the room. Millicient is an artist....she works in clay and makes beautiful water pitchers, bowls and tea pots. She also makes jewellery. Millicient is a beautiful woman and she thanked us for the SODIS project and for teaching her how to disinfect her water. She is much healthier now and able to once again make pottery to support herself. At a different time and in a different place Millicient and I would be friends........I just know it........and in spite of the conditions around her she radiates gratitude and a love for God!

On the way back to the school I had an opportunity to talk more with Enock........his dedication and love for God and others is so evident. As I watched him walk through this slum, everyone knew him and greeted him...he is one of them........he radiated the love of Jesus.........and his gentleness is evident to all! As we spoke he told stories of the children and the local issues, of his concern for the youth who have no jobs and the way violence can easily creep in when poverty holds these people in its grasp. The only thing he asked me for was to tell the story of Menno Kids and for prayer........prayer for wisdom, courage and love! I will pray for Enock and Menno Kids School.....I will pray for wisdom, courage and love, but I will also pray for protection and strength and change........yes, change......change in the economy, the literacy rate, the job market, the political environment, the hearts of the Kenyan people, the hearts of the North American people, my heart, our hearts.............Enock is Jesus hands and feet to these slums...........we are Jesus hands and feet too!

I think as I pray I will always remember to ask...........how can I be available to be the answer to the prayers that I pray........how can I be Your hands and feet Lord.......let me hear Your voice, let me feel Your passion, let me know Your love.

Who's with me?

Until later................