With great sadness we just said goodbye to both Sue and Dcs. Linda. Pastor Dennis and Karen drove the two to the airport. It seems as if the last three days have been filled with great joys and sadness, the mix of emotions is at times overwhelming. Even though I know they are comforted in the knowledge that God has plans for them both. I can not even imagine the sadness that both Sue and Linda are feeling on the way to the airport. They are both such talented and gifted women and there is much work to be finished. I know they are imagining their next journey to Africa. I knows that only GOD nows what the next journey has in store. Please pray that Dsc. Linda and Sue have a safe journey home. Pray for Mauro and Cori as they await the safe return of their loved ones, also for the doctors who with help Linda on her road to recovery.
Our team seems to be disappearing before our eyes. With Rocky left in charge of the three crazy women please, please pray for his guidence and patience. Let's face it Karen, Elizabeth and I are loud, out spoken, and for those of you who know us a little off.
Now, for what we have been up to the last couple of days. Dcs. Linda rested with Karen caring for her. Rocky and Pastor finished the Baby class, this is a class for 3 year olds (54 to be exact)with just one teacher. We spent a few hours of Saturday with Lorna. She took Sue, Elizabeth, and I to the textile store and Maasi Market. We wanted to pick up a few items to share Kenya with all of our friends and family. This allowed us to experience Kenya in a new way. With vendors coming at you from every angle, one of the nice vendors watched over us to make sure we where safe and taken care of. The vendor was a painter and Elizabeth and I ended up purchasing African art work.
Today, we went to church, we watched a teenager get baptized and the service was lovely. After we met with some of the congregation. We left the church and went to Peres' house for a home visit. Many of you may know Peres from last year. She is the grandmother of many of the children that are sponsored by St. John families. Rockie was amazed by the improvement in Peres over the last year. Peres takes great pride in her home and was very welcoming.
I'm having a very difficult time expressing the feeling of our visit to the Kibera slums. The people are trying so hard to survive, the small amounts of food that they have they seem to share. The look on their faces are forever etched in my brain. The desperation in the eyes of the children are without words. The homes are built of stick, mud, and left over scraps of metal. Even with the desperation of the slums, the people that we visited take such pride in their homes. The smell of the entire place will never leave me. I thought I might have vomited from the smell. When I expressed that to Rocky he said "you gotta do what you gotta do." At Peres' house the chicken roam freely, and one seemed to like to peck me. She went in out of my legs and as we left she seemed to follow. Even though the area is uncomfortable the home was inviting and she was very proud to have vistors. We sat, visited and played with all the children and Elizabeth was able to give Beryl a gift. Beryl is the Nelson's sponsored child. As we left the slums I had a mixed feelings of sadness and relief. One of the little children that I have become attached to was really sad and wanted to leave with us. I felt so bad leaving him.
As this journey is coming to end I know that there is much work to be done. I realize that the needs are so large and that I have to trust in God for the next step. I will do my best to organize the teacher's supplies and love as many children as I can. I am unable to solve all the problems of this area and culture. I will do my best to make a small change during this trip and pray that God's guidance and love embrace all of the individuals at the church and school. When I return home I will share with anyone who listens the stories of this journey. I encourage each of you to pray for this area and all the people who are struggling everywhere.
Many Blessings,
Shani
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6 comments:
The sadness in the goodbyes you feel change you forever. There's a part of the Kenya experience that has touched my soul so profoundly as to alter my outlook everywhere, anywhere. Jesus' call to minister to the least of these is a dual blessing. Those we help are blessed by our gifts and presence. However, the surprise is the gift they give to us! May you experience both gifts and be doubly blessed.
My dear dear friends!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dec Linda will be fine. Stay strong and love one another. PROTECT and LOVE AND LAUGH out of CHRISTS LOVE!!!!!!!!! Be confident and STRONG!!!!!!! We miss you all!!!
ROCK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!
HAMMETT
KAREN!!!!!!!!!!! ROCKIE!!!!!!!!!!! SHANI!!!!!!!!!!!! MRS. NELSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss you all very much!!! I have had trouble blogging. Karen!!! MY DEAR FRIEND!!!!!! How God has used your talents there. ROCKIE!!!!!! Sandy is great!!!! She misses you!!!!!!!!! Shani your boys face running on Saturday!!!!!!!!! PRICELESS!!!!!! YOU SHOULD BE SOOOO PROUD!!!!!!!!!! Mrs. Nelson!!!! St. John is missing you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!
HAMMETT
You've made so many sacrifices to be able to share God's love with the Kenyon people. They must surely appreciate all you do.
Glad you were able to get to the market and put some money into their economy - that helps them too! And I hope you had fun doing it.
Shani ~ Well put. While you're watching over those children, yours are being watched over by Dave (obviously!) and everyone here. Zach is tearing up the XC course...I know you'd be proud! (He didn't even throw up @ the Carl Schoensee meet!) ;-) Travel safely, and we'll see you when you return! Lisa
We have arrived home safe and are missing you all. Re-entry is a little rough. In fact "worlds apart". Give more goodbye hugs for us and have safe travel home as well.
Sue
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