Still pumped....in spite of reality

Wow…I've been a little lazy about blogging ….not sure where to start now that we’re 7 days into this mission trip and everyone has pretty much said something about everywhere we’ve been and everything we’ve done???

So how about some reflections of the first several days…..since we have had limited internet access the past couple days, this could be loonnngg so get a cup of joe and please, please read on…

As we were preparing for our landing at the Nairobi airport, I was “Super Pumped” (I’m stealing a Steven Ambo line). I have been anticipating this trip since our last trip here 11 months ago. The chance to renew old friendships and to start new ones….what a blessing from God! I’ve been pumped…

It has truly been a blessing to be here and to be used by God. He always continues to open my eyes to the reality of the world we live in. It’s been like a roller coaster of emotions since arriving here.

There were joyous times in meeting old acquaintances, seeing and experiencing the love shown by all the little children we encounter, meeting new people and sharing God’s love with them, getting to know my team and to grow closer to them, and especially spending time with and watching our youths share their love with everyone around them. Our youths have been an inspiration in their openness to everyone, and in dealing with some of the conditions around here. I’m not saying things are extremely tough, but I know they haven’t seen or been through conditions like this at home! I don’t think our youths realize the eternal differences they are making here, but I know God is looking down and smiling. You parents, be proud, be very proud!

There have also been times when God has stirred my heart….

On our second day we revisited an orphanage from last year, The Nest. As we were visiting with the children I recognized a boy named Joshua. I remembered him because last year he did a little song with a short dance. He was cute, engaging, and had a killer smile. It was neat to see him again, but in some ways I was saddened. This is the reality of life for so many of the orphaned children, here and elsewhere around the world. They could be here for not just days, but years! It’s even more depressing that as kids get older, it’s even more difficult for them to be adopted.

We also revisited the the Comido School in the Kwan Njenga/Mukuru slums. In order to get to this school, it required a 20 minute walk of at least one mile through the slums. As part of our trip to the school, we walked another 1+ mile to visit three children and their families at their homes in the slums. These children had received scholarships from last years Lighthouse Kenya ministry funds. It was great that the families were all appreciative of the gifts they had received, but even better when they gave glory to God and shared how blessed they have been. I got very depressed as I saw the surrounding areas, the houses these people lived in, and the visibly deplorable living conditions in this area. It was a gut wrenching sight to see, but a reality for many millions in Kenya, and this wasn’t even the worse of the slums.

David, the Comido School director, shared how few Mzungus (foreigners), upper class Kenyans, and even their local polititians visited the slums. He felt it was uplifting that we would come to visit them. The reality is that many in the slums know there’s a better way of life in other parts of the city and the world, but have feelings of hopelessness thinking there’s no way out and no one really cares.

On Sunday we visited the Kayaba Free Methodist Church. Through last years Lighthouse ministry funds we provided this church with funds to purchase a small piece of property. We had a bit of a trek through the slums to get here…navigating through walkways that were only a few feet wide and with troughs running down the middle, carrying garbage, sewage, etc…a common theme in every slum…..ewww! They had anticipated our arrival and were genuinely happy to see us. It was a very warm reception. Pastor Paul shared about how blessed and thankful they were for us to have visited last year and to come back again. Some things he shared were that South B was the 2nd biggest slum in Nairobi with some 700,000 residents and that missionaries don’t come onto the area, let alone make a return trip. It was very moving to hear him speak of what Lighthouse has done for them, and especially heartwarming when he and the church embraced us as their family.

The reality is that many people don’t take the time to visit the slums in Kenya. There is so much to learn….it’s not all about what we can do for them, but also what we can learn from them. At times I ask myself if they have seen the Christ in me……because I have seen it in them…..I’m still pumped!

The reality is that in our lifetime we may never know the eternal difference of our work here, but in my heart of hearts…..Mungu yu mwema! (God is good!).

It has been a blessing that Lighthouse Christian Church has sponsored this team to come to Kenya. I thank the church and all our friends and family for their financial support, their continued prayers, and their faith in what we are doing here.

Bwana asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!)

Dan