Finally in Kenya, 2018!

Salvete omnes!

After hours of meetings, hundreds of items packed in tubs, and enough small dosages of diseases in our bodies to make a toxicologist faint, we have finally arrived safely, with all our luggage and items for the people and children at Tumaini!

Highlights from the flight to London (~5 hours): screaming children and a strange security checkpoint which compelled us to remove our carry-on liquids from our see-through bag...only to put them into a different see-through bag.

Highlights from the flight to Nairobi (~8 hours): screaming children, two of our members getting questioned about the tubs, I blissfully passing through customs by disavowing these team members (it was actually the right thing to do!), and cramming 9 tubs and 9 luggage bags into one van.

We made it to the Methodist Guest House at around 1200am Kenya time (+7 EST) and finally had a chance to rest.

The first full day in Kenya was more of a shopping venture so that we could purchase items for the children that we were unable to fit in the tubs (sports equipment, etc.) We also visited Heshima, a school for disabled children, and Dignity Designs. For those that are unaware, in Kenya there is a negative stigma surrounding children who are born with disabilities. Heshima provides education and physical therapy to approximately 40 disabled children, as well as jobs to their mothers. These jobs may include cleaning the school, or sewing and bead-work that Dignity Designs prides itself on. Due to a national holiday today, the children were not on grounds, but just by being present one could see the grace and providence of God, as the campus has continued to expand and employs 53 people, all through donations. The leader of the establishment continually thanked God for all the blessings, and we even had a "rooftop" prayer that the center might be able to purchase land so that Heshima could include apartments, which would protect many children/parents from dangerous situations.

Occupational therapy room at Heshima

The story wall at Heshima

As I sat in the front of the van today (in order to take in the sights) I observed closely the people and their daily lives, some equipped with some manner of providing for themselves and others suffering greatly, and I began contemplating what we as Christians (as human beings) can do, and how God can use me and my life of "privilege" to help others.

(I also closely observed the driving around Nairobi...they put NYC taxi drivers to shame!)

I daily interrogate the team as to their highlight and lowlight of the day. They have also been introduced to the wacky Stella, so you should absolutely pray for their sanity!


ex animo,
Stella

How I feel today in GIF form: