Friday

Today was our final day working at the Kosovo school. Even though our exhausted group seems ready to come home, we will definitely miss that place.

We only worked until 1:00 today. Most of the group did community work, with Michelle and Linda continuing Mobile Medical and Josh and Jimmy doing Bring the Light. Each group saw even more people than in days prior. I believe the total number of people treated for the week was 46 (not including the various school kids who took advantage of having a couple of on-campus nurses this week) and the total homes for Bring the Light was 11. Not bad for a small group!

(Also - I believe the total number of kids at VBS was 632!)

While they were out doing community work, Megan busied herself with some administrative tasks around the school - sorting new uniforms for the students (her ankle still won't let her journey down onto the uneven ground of the slums).

I joined up with the two Kenyan painters I've been working with all week - Ben and David - and we decided to try our chances at the mural extension. This involved scaling a very precarious-looking (but actually quite solid) make-shift scaffolding to first prime the upper portion of the wall that needed to be painted. We did this, in pretty short order... but then - the rains came. And came. And came...

Of course we had to stop working. This was no problem - except that soon we came out to check things and found that the primer (which usually dries very fast) had not dried and had RAN DOWN THE ENTIRE FACE OF THE PREVIOUS MURAL!!! Long white tendrils of primer paint streaking over the entire surface of last year's work!!!

However, Ben is amazing. He scurried right up that scaffolding with a hose and washed it all off before it could set. He had to keep washing, and wiping, and fighting it until after about half an hour, he seemed to have it contained. He literally saved the mural...

But with the rain still threatening, we couldn't continue. So they'll have to paint the rest this next week after we're gone... bummer we weren't here to see it happen, but they said they'd try to send pictures.

After lunch we had the closing program with the kids. Each year they shower love and thanks on us through song, dance, and encouraging words. This year was no exception. It's a little awkward since, to be honest, we are the ones who feel so grateful to THEM. They are such amazing people and we just feel honored to work alongside them and call them friends.

From here we went to the Masaii Market and haggled with vendors over souvenirs... It's like adrenaline shopping on steroids.

Dinner back at the Java House next door to the hotel - with some end-of-trip laughter, mixed with sore-body groans, hurt-ankle whimpering, and the occasional well-earned yawn...

Tomorrow we are up EARLY for a last day of sight-seeing at Nairobi Game Park, then dinner at Keith and Kathy Hamm's (American CMF Missionaries).

This will be the last report since we won't have internet access from now until we hit the ground in Cincinnati. Despite some of the setbacks and heavy rains - this has been another great trip to Kenya. We're proud of LifeSpring's partnership with Kenya and hope we've represented well!

Thursday

Today was a good day - we finished the VBS program and the painting of the interior walls and stairs of the school! It seemed like everything just went according to plan today. The weather was beautiful, VBS stayed right on schedule, and the painting turned out great. (Of course, Megan did twist her ankle again today - but Megan injuries are sort of becoming old news around Kenya...)

During the second half of the day, Linda headed out on another Mobile Medical trip while the rest of us (minus Megan who sat on the sideline taking pics) played an epic game of soccer against the kids of the school. It was adults (LifeSpring and Kenya leaders) vs. kids. We tied - 6 to 6, which we are taking as a victory. These kids are intense. Most of them were barefoot the entire time and they still took us to task. We played our hardest, occasionally shouting from burning lungs, "NO MERCY!!!" That's right - we had one goal: stomp the kids. But before you feel sorry for them - know that they came prepared. During Megan's teaching time on the fruit of kindness, she even prepped them by saying, "There is one place you DON'T have to be kind: today's soccer match against the adults." Those kids came wanting blood, I'm sure of it.

Anyway - 6 to 6 was the result (and we're proud of that). Of course, now we're all beat silly. Our bodies ache! I want to know if this counts as suffering for Christ...

As I said, meanwhile Linda was working in the slums with Mobile Medical (yes, at least one of us was doing some REAL ministry). That ministry has been an interesting one for her and Michelle. I think we all thought that there would be pre-determined homes that the Kenyan social workers would guide them to - however, it turns out that they simply load up a backpack of various medical supplies and go walking through the slums asking people if there are any sick persons in their homes. More responsive than planned. Once in a home, word generally spreads and then soon many others have come. Linda said it's like trying to give treatment to a group of people in a crowded elevator. It seems like they've had to operate in a kind of "improv" fashion, being ready to enter a home and just see what they find there. It is definitely a less structured approach than the clinics we've been a part of in the past. Michelle has pointed out that most of what they're able to do is really more like symptom management - but they are helping establish the presence of the mission as a place that brings help to the community.

This evening we had dinner at Oliver and Ednah's house. Very relaxing. Two other visiting Americans joined us as well. The evening was pretty laid back - but there was one particular highlight for most of the group: when Oliver and Ednah presented me with a very interesting African outfit. I won't describe it, because I'm sure there will eventually be some pictures floating around for everyone's amusement... Everyone got a shirt or dress as a gift, but mine was... well... I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

Back to the hotel - tired, but satisfied with the day. Tomorrow is our last work day in Kenya! Wow - it's gone fast...

Wednesday

Today began with more RAIN! We've had lots of it here this week...

Linda had our morning devotion today, focusing our attention on Jesus' call to action in THIS life - that our hope is not just heaven someday... but rather, is to see a "little bit of heaven" brought into reality here, today. Great thoughts as we plunged again into the slums of Nairobi.

Today VBS transitioned to working with the older kids in primary ages. Everything seemed to go very well - although we had to make some adjustments due to the rain (games had to be moved indoors, which shifted some other rooms around... Also, for some reason only one craft room was set up - so Megan had 150+ kids crammed shoulder to shoulder in a tiny room threading macaroni onto thread... FUN! But despite her hurt ankle and many hiccups like that one - she keeps her game face on and soars through successfully.

Throughout the entire day we continued to paint the interior hallways and stairs of the school - almost finished! They look much fresher and more colorful than before. Everyone seems happy with the facelift. The school is a constant grey construction zone, splashed with mud and other trash that gets dragged in. The Kenyan workers try very hard to keep things nice - but it's a never-ending battle. I asked one of the teachers today if she can ever envision the school NOT being a construction zone... and she simply said, "No...." So I think a little bit of color and fresh paint goes a long way here.

At this point, due to the rain, it's looking less and less likely that the mural will get completed. Some say, "No problem" and others say "No way." We'll see... Right now we're waiting on plaster to dry so we can paint. But of course it's raining even now...

This afternoon's work looked different than usual for most of the crew. Megan and I continued painting - however, Linda went to the Pangani Center to meet with the micro-business trainees in the bead/jewelry program. These are women who are being trained in the skill of beading and jewelry-making so that they have a income-earning skill that is positive. Most of the micro-business ministry is focused toward equipping women - many of which either live alone (raising many children and grandchildren) or are married to men who are not providing for their families. Linda arrived to the Center to find 18 women waiting patiently in a small room - so that she could TEACH them! Surprise! (Linda wasn't briefed on this part of the plan!) But she rolled with it and asked them to share their ideas and work... and they DO make beautiful work!

With Linda at the other school, Michelle did Mobile Medical by herself (that is, with the Kenyan nurse and HIV/AIDS coordinator). They visited 3 homes - but they have found that when word spreads that "medical" is nearby, neighbors stream in. So a house with one or two sick people may suddenly have 8 sick people show up at the door. I have no idea how she and Linda are keeping their heads above water. Hopefully they stay well! More than the rest of us they are willingly entering into very cramped quarters with some very sick people...

Jimmy flew solo today as well, doing Bring the Light for 3 homes, because Josh had an opportunity to join Kioko (Kenyan social worker) to another part of Nairobi - a different slum - where a new school is being started. (I can't remember the name of the area, so I keep calling it Buca De Beppo until someone corrects me).

All of our various forces then converged over at Pangani to pick up Linda and Josh, then we headed out to Mary and Wallace's house for dinner. Mary and Wallace are currently in the U.S., but they have a couple of interns staying at their home - as well as their children - so they graciously invited us over for dinner. Their youngest son David is 4, and he is spitfire. We had fun teasing and tickling him... but somehow, by the end of the night, I had earned the nickname "Supergirl." Not sure how that happened.

By the way - speaking of nicknames: Megan has been nicknamed "Pole." The reason for this is because when she was offer her feet after the accident, while we were gone to church, the hotel staff cared for her with food, ice, fruit and a card. When we returned, I picked up the card and read the front. It said, "Get Well Soon Pole."

I said, "Pole? That's not very nice. Why are they calling you Pole?" Of course they all burst out laughing at me. (And then informed me that "pole" is really pronounced "pole-ay" and is Kenyan for "sorry").

Well, regardless: Megan is now known as Pole and she is Supergirl's sidekick.

Tuesday

Today we started out a bit earlier in order to get to the school and have enough time to prepare some things before VBS started. So we were all a little sluggish, but ready for the day. After breakfast, Josh led devotions - focusing on the Kosovo school's theme of "The Mountain of God" and how each small thing we do may seem insignificant at first, but is really another pebble added to the mountain that is growing there. Good stuff.

After arriving at the school, Jimmy and Josh starting filling water balloons for their game time, while the rest got the craft supplies in order. I spent some time with Charity discussing some of the logistical details that would help things run smoother.

And things did run much smoother today - VBS went very well and the kids had a blast. They sang, learned about Zacchaeus, finger painted and threw water balloons... fun by anyone's standards. It was fun to hear the children continuing to sing throughout the day, the songs they had learned that morning. Every now and then from a classroom or down the hallway you'd hear a few of them chime back into one of the choruses as they walked... Tomorrow the older kids will start their 2-day VBS.

Meanwhile, painting began on the interior hallways of the school. I was joined by Ben and David, two Kenyan men who helped with last year's mural. It was really great reuniting with them and picking up the brushes together again. (Phil - they say "Hi" and "Congratulations on the new baby!") Today we primed most of the interior hallway areas. Even just the primer layer makes the place look so much fresher. After VBS was over, Megan joined the paint crew since she's not able to walk down into the slums with her bad ankle. We tried to add some color to the halls, only to find out that the entire paint supply we ordered was mixed up and they brought all the wrong paint! So... small setback, but they were able to switch to the correct paint so we'll be ready tomorrow.

The scaffolding also went up today for us to extend the mural to the two additional floors they've added on the building. The scaffolding is still sticks and scrap wood (gulp), but it does look more sturdy this year... I'm trying not to think too much about climbing it later this week.

Linda and Michelle did a second day of Mobile Medical. But before they headed out, they helped treat 3 sick children within the school. Then, they visited 3 homes - one of which was unusually cramped and crowded, even by Mathare slum standards.

Jimmy and Josh went out and did Bring the Light (putting sunroofs in homes). They were able to do 3 homes.

Then the storm came. Literally. The heavens opened and a serious torrential downpour blasted the entire area. Jimmy and Josh had just gotten back, but Linda and Michelle were still in one of the homes - which meant they extended their stay there to wait it out a bit. They eventually made it back of course, but that was a serious drenching. Perhaps it was the sound of the rain hitting all those metal shanty roofs - but it felt like the entire area was rumbling.

The rain started to let up a little right as it was time to leave - so we started the drive back to the hotel... Rain in most cities has a negative effect on rush hour traffic. In Nairobi, it turns the city into a parking lot. It took us 2 and a half hours to get back to the hotel! At one point we sat deadlocked in a single spot for over a half hour.

By the time we finally made it back, we had about 10 minutes to freshen up and make our reservations at a local Ethiopian restaurant (a regular stop for missions groups in Nairobi). The food was excellent and we were joined by Oliver and Ednah, their son Farris, and our driver Peter. Josh impressed us greatly with his eating capacity. A nice, relaxing end to another long (but fulfilling) day...

Zzzzzzzzz....

Monday

Well, I will do my best to make this interesting - but we are all BEAT!

Today was our first official work day at the Kosovo school. After breakfast and a devotion led by Jimmy, we arrived at the school around 9:00. Morning tea is a non-negotiable around here, so we had some Chai before starting. This actually put us a bit behind schedule... so tomorrow we're all planning to be up earlier and get there earlier.

The day was successful, but it had it's hiccups. There was a fair amount of misunderstanding regarding the division of the children in the VBS program. This got us off to a staggered start that took some time to recover from. Eventually we got in the groove and made it work - and of course the kids were oblivious and had a blast. Josh and Jimmy handled games on the field and helped with crafts, Linda and Michelle handled singing and helped with the Bible lesson, Megan did the Bible lesson and crafts - hopping on one leg the entire time.

Me? Just call me gopher.

I also helped set a gameplan for the mural extension (they added two floors above our previous mural) as well as painting of some interior stairwells. Gonna bring some color to the place.

By lunch we were already feeling the wear and tear of the day... but after eating it was back to work. We were giving a brief training from the CHE workers regarding community outreach programs which included spiritual evangelism, HIV/AIDS education, and a free water purification technique we could teach people. Then, Linda and Michelle suited up for the "Mobile Medical" team and Josh, Jimmy and I went with a couple of social workers to visit homes.

In her present condition, Megan wasn't able to traverse down into the slums, so she stayed behind at the school. Fairly uneventful for her - except for a mouse that crawled over her. (Is anyone surprised this happened to Megan?)

We were a little late in the afternoon by this point, so both teams only were really able to visit 1 or 2 homes. The group Josh, Jimmy and I were in was headed toward a specific home, but then we were intercepted by 4 women who wanted to know what we were up to. So they invited us in. With the help of a translator, we divided up tasks: Jimmy handled the straightforward evangelism, I did the HIV/AIDS teaching, one of the social workers did the water purification explanation and Josh closed in prayer. It's hard to gauge the overall impact since so much of it was in a foreign language, but the women seemed genuinely interested and were very grateful for our visit.

Michelle and Linda's group entered the slum with their leader asking various people, "Do you have any sick people in your home?" We believe the strategy of the Mobile Medical is to visit people who can't otherwise get medical treatment. The first house they visited was at the invitation of a boy who said he had sick people in his home. However, when they arrived, the residents said they were all fine - so they prayed with them instead. The second home they stopped at was full of several VERY sick people. They did their best with the limited supplies and information they had... but the experience definitely revealed the challenge of a place that has overwhelming health problems with very limited solutions.

After wrapping up at the school, we headed back to the hotel - thoroughly exhausted. All but Megan walked to the restaurant next door for a bite and brought her back some food. The rain has been pouring all night, and her ankle is really hurting - so trudging over there on crutches didn't sound too exciting.

We had a few laughs at dinner - but the group is obviously tired. So we're hitting the sack a bit earlier tonight (and getting up earlier too!)

Sunday

So - remember what I said about today being a "low-key" day?

Wrong.

The day started with the optimistic plan for the ladies to "do the stairs" as a morning exercise. Moments later, Megan came off the bottom step, severely turned her ankle and was down for the count. So down, in fact, that a particularly husky Kenyan woman managed to fling (literally) her up and over her shoulders and carry her down the remaining stairs to the couch in the lounge near our rooms. (before you read further, stop and visualize that scene)

Fortunately, her ankle doesn't appear to be broken (we don't think) - but she is not able to put any weight on it. So... crutches. More about those in a bit...

After trying to get Megan comfortable with Ibuprofen and ice, and leaving her to rest at the hotel, the rest of us loaded up to go to morning church services at the Pangani Center where Oliver (pastor of the churches associated with MOHI) preached. On the way we picked up two other American visitors - Joe and his nephew Josh - who are from Westside Christian Church in Springfield, IL. Joe teaches financial planning to the micro-business leaders and staff of MOHI.

We all enjoyed a very celebratory worship service at Pangani. I was able to get up, introduce our crew, pass along greetings and love from LifeSpring, and have them all pray for Megan.

Afterwards we had lunch at the center and began the strategy for locating crutches in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, Megan was treated to the amazing hospitality of the Kenyan hotel staff. They brought her lunch, fruit, a "get well" card... Either they are very hospitable, or they have heard about overly-litigious Americans. Just kidding - they ARE extremely hospitable. Their generosity is overwhelming.

After lunch, we learned about a medical supply place that supposedly sold crutches. It was near a Naku-mat (Kenya's version of Wal-mart) where we could pick up some other items and color-match paint for the mural... so we headed that way into the heart of downtown Nairobi. However, upon arriving, Fred Juma (head of CHE, acting Director of MOHI) led us to the medical supply place only to find it closed! Strike one. He set out to hunt for other options while we tried our hand at Naku-mat's paint services. Closed also! Strike two.

Probably 30 minutes later, Fred re-emerged by cell phone to say he found a place that had crutches that was open... and that he was coming back to us to walk us to the place. 15 minutes later (the place he found was not close) he called again and said to meet him at the car and van. When arriving at the car, he very calmly revealed that while we were were all gone, someone broke into the car and stole his bag - which included his LAPTOP! STRIKE THREE.

When we asked him if the information was backed up, he said yes, on a flash drive... that was in the same bag. Ugh.

To his amazing credit, Fred shook it off, saying, "Well. That's it. It is gone. Let us go get the crutches." And without a single word of complaint he led Linda and I through a literal maze of downtown until we found a tiny little medical supply shop - that sold crutches!

When the lady reached to get them down, she first grabbed an old-lady walker... and Linda and I had a briefly shared temptation to say, "We'll take the walker." But we figured Megan wouldn't find that as humorous. So, we went with the crutches.

Finally, we made it back to the van and car, wiped the collective sweat from our brows, and headed back to the hotel.

After some rest - and a very gracious visit from Oliver who stopped by the hotel to pray with Megan (this, after a long day of visitations including one with a major bishop in the area - yes, Megan is on the same visitation list as a major bishop)... we went to eat. 5 of us and "hop-along-Megan" made our way over to Java House, an American-style restaurant in the mall next door to the hotel. We shared plenty of laughs and good food.

So much for a "low-key" day... but oh well, it makes for good memories and great bonding.

We are now finishing up craft preparations for tomorrow and will soon be hitting the sack. Tomorrow the work begins!

Saturday

Today began early and rainy, with some of us waking before dark due to jet lag. After a great breakfast at the Grace House (our hotel), we were taken to the Pangani Center for a brief orientation. This is the largest of the Missions of Hope International (MOHI) schools and each year evidences continued growth - both in student attendance as well as new buildings and classrooms.

Fred Juma led the orientation - he is "acting director" while Mary is in the States for the missionary convention. He walked us through a brief history of MOHI, its overarching philosophy and some of its key programs. We heard from various leaders of the micro-business programs as well as the social workers. Charity, the Head Teacher at Kosovo, who we have worked with in years past, came to the meeting as well. It was really great seeing old friends again.

We were told that this week is the Standard 8 testing for kids all across Kenya. This is a BIG deal - as it is the determining factor to see whether kids can go on to a high school education. Most children in the slums do not have a chance at this (many not even receiving up to the Standard 8 education, that is, 8th grade). Last year MOHI graduated their first wave of 8th graders - 37 in all who took the test. 100% of them passed. This year they have 96 candidates who will test. Testing begins Tuesday - so prayers are welcome!

Currently MOHI educates about 4,400 children in various locations throughout the slums as well as their boarding school in the country, Joska.

After a detailing of the week's plan, the rain cleared and we took a foot tour down into the slum neighborhoods, visiting homes of individual families. Linda and I were paired with a couple of social workers who took us to the house of Pauline. Pauline is in their community health program. She is raising her 10 children and 4 grandchildren in a tiny shanty. She has a husband, but he is a known alcoholic who spends what little they have on drinking. We only visited briefly, but even that small connection jolts you back to the realization of how deep the poverty runs here.

Apparently yesterday there was a fire that broke out very close to the Pangani Center. It is estimated that about 30-50 homes were destroyed, several of which were homes of children in MOHI's care. While fires like this are somewhat common, it's unclear whether it was started intentionally or perhaps because of an electrical hazard. Stringing throughout the slums are countless wires that people have rigged to tap into the electricity. These are often exposed wires and are very dangerous.

It was quite an experience walking through a post-rain slum. The ground is loosened, bringing with it the mud and waste (human and animal). The air was a mix of odors: human waste, food cooking, rotting garbage, and the charred smell of burned out homes... Children stream toward the visitors (us) with hands outstretched, cheerfully asking, "How are you? How are you?" and asking for us to take their "pich-ah" (picture).

After this tour, we had lunch and visited one of the micro-business programs: the fabric and bead shop. Amazing jewelry and fabric products created by the women who are in their micro-business program.

After finishing at Pangani, we made a brief stop at the Kosovo school. They are nearing completion on a second building on the campus, nearly as tall as their multi-story classroom building upon which we did the mural last year. Their building progress is dizzying. I'm sure we'll get more chances to explore their additions in the days to come.

From here we went to a Giraffe Center to get in a little sight-seeing and group bonding. All I will tell you about this is that 4 of the 6 of us can now say they have kissed a giraffe (no, I'm not one of them). I can also say that giraffes give very sloppy kisses. I have photos to prove it.

With jet lag catching up to most of us, we headed back to the hotel, relaxed a bit and enjoyed some dinner. At this point things are going very good - but we're still a bit upside down on energy. Thankfully tomorrow is another low-key day. Monday we hit the ground running.

After having spent the last hour cutting out over 600 paper Jesus' and Zacchaeus' figures (VBS craft item), we're all turning in for the night.

Good night!