Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 7:  April 27, 2007
Dear Friends, Two more weeks have passed, and my life in Kenya continues to bring various experiences and interesting challenges. It is hard to believe that in less than six weeks I will be seeing most of you at Congress!  I find that I am somewhat intimidated about going "home" to all that is familiar and comfortable, knowing that my life in Nairobi is just beginning.   There is reassurance in the fact that I have grown the most when out of my comfort zone.  The Lord knows what He is doing in my life, and I trust Him! Last week, I took a trip to the Coast region.  I stayed in Mombasa and visited our children's home and school for the blind in the area.  IT WAS HOT!!  The officers were grateful that it had rained and cooled off some.  In the month of March they faced temperatures as high as 110 degrees!  The area is gorgeous and filled with views of the Indian ocean and lush palm trees.  (I will post pictures on the web soon).   Of course, poverty and hopelessness breed in this would-be paradise as well.   The children's home houses about 55 children who are orphaned or abandoned by their families.  I spent an entire day with them and enjoyed every second.  The kids performed several gospel dances and poems.  Six of the young girls recited a poem about staying abstinent because of AIDS.  All of them were under the age of 13.  I was so saddened that their childhood was interrupted by the realities of death and disease.  However, their lives dictate that they know these truths early, and I'm glad they are not afraid to talk about it.   I was then able to read them a story, sing some songs, and do a craft with the kids.  I read Max Lucado's "You Are Special", and by the end of the day, I had the children yelling, "I AM SPECIAL!!!".  I hope they actually remember that.  It was wonderful to take my time at the home.  It reminded me how important the ministry of presence is (for the officers as well as the kids).  I did have one failure that day.  As I walked around the compound, I found some boys holding a grasshopper they caught.  I could not convince them that pulling its legs off was a bad idea.  I even said, "How would you like it if someone caught you and pulled your legs off?"  Okay, so that wasn't the smartest thing I've ever said.   Hopefully, I didn't cause nightmares :)  I guess pulling the legs off insects is a right of passage for boys no matter where you live in the world. The school for the blind is an interesting place.  You can only get to Likoni by ferry, so we drove our vehicle onto the ferry and rode on!  It made me a little homesick for the Staten island ferry, though our ride was only about ten minutes.   The children were out for break, but I was able to see the facilities and meet some of the staff.  It is a place that faces a lot of challenges.  It is right on the ocean, and the humidity and salty air cause a lot of damage to the buildings.  Dorms that were renovated in the last five years already look worn down.  Most of the metal rusts and so many of the safety rails are missing or broken.   It is another school that is run by the government, though the army owns the land. The kids come from such abject poverty that the school fees that are paid do little to sustain the school.   Praise God, His provision is perfect!  The government has recently granted the school a large donation for renovations.  At the same time, a kind donor gave a similarly large donation through The Salvation Army.  Though there is so much more that can be done, the Lord's hand was well visible in the care of this facility.   I actually spent this entire week in the office.  It was good to catch up with paperwork and organize myself for next steps.  Please continue to pray for all the work done here.   My verse for this week is: Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.    Galatians 6:2 Love to you all, Armida