Hello Friends!
I apologize in advance by how scatterbrained and sloppy this blog is about to be. As always, internet time is limited so I’ll make this short sweet and to the point. I love Kenya!!
The End.
But really, this trip has been so amazing so far and it blows my mind to think that its only going to continue to get better. We’ve settled into our tent village in Kijabe after traveling for the first few weeks and are now starting to get involved in the hospitals and schools in the area. Basically, we go to the hospital on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and might teach at a school on any of those days. It just depends. I really love the ministry we’re doing and have already been able to make some amazing relationships. Which brings me to….
The IDP camps. Usually on Saturdays we pack up 90 kilos of beans and 180 kilos of corn flower and travel to the camps to hand out the food and simply hang out with the families there. These people are absolutely incredible. They were forced from their homes and villages in 2007 due to post-election violence throughout Kenya. These people couldn’t even get a job due to racism against their tribe, so they have made their own little community. Let me introduce you to some of my friends:
Anne is a 14 year old girl with 4 younger brothers, two of which are mentally handicapped. Her father left when she was younger and six weeks ago, her mother decided to leave as well. So, here she is, in 8th grade raising her whole family. She can’t work because she goes to school, or tries to at least. The pressure of raising a family and trying to cope with studies is very hard and she is now faced with the decision of whether to quit school and work, or pursue her dreams.
Jane is 17 and in form 3 (which is grade 11). She’s never known her father and her mother died before everything happened in 2007 so she relocated with her grandmother and little brother who now live in a tent barely livable for anyone. She wants to be a pilot, but struggles to pay her school fees which are approximately the same amount of money it would take for a family to eat at a fast food restaurant. Her smile is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Eunice is 11 and in class 5. She also struggles to pay her school fees because she is being supported by her grandmother as well. What makes her situation different though is that she also lives with 11 of her siblings and cousins. Their parents are either working in a different town where they could actually find a job, have AIDS, or have already passed away.
And the list goes on and on and on. My heart has absolutely been broken by these people and my life has been changed by their stories. Dear Friends, we are so blessed. Blessed to have running water, a roof over our heads, and even a banana or two in our pantry. Its ridiculous how much I take for granted… and I know we say that a lot in our little Christian world but really. Its time to wake up and simply start to love. Romans 12:9-13 has been such an encouragement to me this week and I hope it will be for you too!
On a lighter note… I just wanted to give a little list of things I’ve done since we’ve been in Kenya. Here goes!
Finished 2 books (shocker… I know), fried oreos for my team, learned a little Swahili, colored a Lot (thanks Kris!), killed a goat!!, found a guitar praise the Lord! bought lots of candy, gotten excited if I get 3 showers a week instead of 2, and made amazing relationships.
Love and miss you all!
Anna
