Day 2, part 2, Dandora Baptist Church

As our hearts wrestled with the demise of these people's reality we arrived at the Dandora Baptist Church we were to worship in. Yes the surroundings were not much different than what we had just witnessed but the stark contrast of the filth outside and the clean beauty within was almost surreal. It reminded me of how God sees us, not what is on the outside but what is inside. Or rather the hope that he gives us in the midst of the darkness around us. And how believing that will change your external viewing of life. That's exactly what these people were doing. They really dig deep to know Him better and that's how they smile and go on.

Sunday school kids

the children's slide in the church yard

Slide

their rock climbing area

those eyes get me every time

The agenda for the day

inscription on the floor of church

little boy was peaking through the wall of their old church

love the bright colored door

precious are the children

read through those eyes

The worship service was incredibly joyful, which challenges my heart still now. How can they have such joy when their dark reality is right outside their  front door. Didn't take me long to know that answer...they loved, loved, loved their Lord and Savior and truly accepted His promise of hope and grace. Yes it lasted over 3 hrs but God was so present as the church members each contributed by either having some amazing singing, testimony sharing, or preaching. Lots of "Praise the Lords", "God is good". And BTW they like to repeat those kind of phrases at least 5 times, each time they are spoken. Had to have a few internal laughs! I left filled with memories of faith, hope and LOTS of love. I know I took away more than I left...

Day 2--Dandora slums, part 1

Another day...Or was it really just "another" day.  What I saw as I rode in our bus on the way to worship was rather overwhelming. Dandora was filled with people, lots of them in a very small area. Walking and riding their bikes within inches of our bus and not even bothered by the fact that one wrong quick move and tragedy may strike. Many looked as if they had somewhere to go, very dressed up and rather clean. The irony there was that all you could see was dirt, garbage, just filth everywhere, and nothing green besides a random bush popping up. Lots of buildings, which really were small mismatched shacks made from metal, wood or whatever could work as a wall for their "home". People selling their wares and others buying items, carrying large bags on their backs which held possibly their precious belongings.
As we headed in further their was a smell a smell rather difficult to describe,  just more offensive than probably anything I'd experienced before. Then I saw why. THE DUMP. Literally. It was overflowing and about a couple feet from the  road we were traveling on. There were pigs digging around in it, along with children and their parents. What could they possibly be doing there? Who would allow their children even near a place like this let alone come along side them to search. We were told they may be looking for food, an item to recycle or something they could sell. Quite possibly a hidden treasure? This is so wrong on so many levels. I would NEVER allow my children near such a health hazard area let alone rummage through it. How do you process such a sighting? We were headed to Dandora Baptist Church to worship, how could my heart change gears so quickly to worship  God after experiencing such a sight.
While in the bus Misty asked me if I noticed everyone's face. I had been thinking about that same fact,  there were no bright smiles like the day before just solemn, serious looks, almost as if it was a movie filming and they were told to Not smile. But as I internalized seeing their surroundings it made sense. Why would you smile and be filled with joy when this was what you saw and lived in on a daily basis. My children have grass to run on, trees to climb and creeks to play in. And our garbage gets put in a container and carried AWAY from our home. Not overflowing next to it...

Apartment High-rise and laundry mat

A typical "home"

The Dump and neighborhood rummage area

Really Day One--Paradise Lost Park 9-29-12

An amazing day! We visited a park called Paradise Lost which cost about $3.75 for adults and $2.50 for children. This is an opportunity these kids only get once a year!  There were about  a 100 kids plus moms bused in to spend the day, which we provided lunch, games, crafts, camel rides, boat rides and lots of love.
I wasn't quite sure what my emotions would be but once our bus arrived and all the children came running to it my heart began to melt. Their precious smiles and warm eyes grabbed my heart and i wanted to hug them all. I hadn't been informed what the protocol was, can I hug them? They offered their hand to shake so I did the same and told them my name, & asked them theirs. This took a bit of time as there were alot of them.
Shortly after the greetings we were brought together with the moms to have a little "meet and greet". I noticed Bonnie was carrying two kids and holding hands with a couple more. WELL, that was my signal that it was totally ok to love on these precious lives. I began my hugging and taking pictures, and had a few specific friends in no time flat. All the kids loved to have their photos taken then wanted to see themselves in the camera. Some would laugh and others just smiled. Just like my kids! They reveled in the idea of seeing their reflection.
Background info: these women(moms) were all HIV positive and some of the children. You could tell some of the women were newer into the program as they didn't look as healthy. But they were all so beautiful, you could see and hear their love and thanks to God for this path of love through the HEART organization.

September 27-28, (depends on where you live)

As you see we finally arrived in Kenya, unfortunately with the 10 hour time difference and logistics of getting where we needed to be I'm a bit delayed in posting. Our total hour of inflight time was around 18 hours. Just within that period there were already some challenges. Arrived at the airport in good enough time with 20 checked bags(10 of those were filled with supplies for our projects). Then we each were allowed 2 carry on bags. Well, we were not aware of the weight issue with carry ons as they were to be TOTAL weight of 12kgs. Problem! Mine was over DOUBLE that amount. A few other team members & I began the scramble of repacking. Finally just settled with the fact that some of us would pay a fee for heavy checked bags. (Marc snuck my computer out and placed it back into my bag once I had checked back in!)
The Jetway was a long line and it was hot and a little offensive smelling (this is in San Francisco & we were flying with many foreigners), so I was actually looking forward to the 10 plus hour flight. It had already been a LONG day. We struggled to stay awake to eat our first meal, then quickly popped our Malaria meds, Tylenol PM, put on our eye bras, Bose headphones and snuggled down into our blankets for what we hoped to be a good long sleep.  Interesting how you make plans then life happens!  There was a man who sat next to us, spoke Dutch, and proceeded to talk VERY loudly the whole flight. We were so groggy we weren't able to ask him to use his "inside voice". Bonnie told him over and over "please stop, please stop!" But she figured out later these were only thoughts, she didn't actually speak those words.
Fast forward, arrived in Nairobi Friday night @ 8:30. Our luggage was all accounted for and we had prayer that God would get us through the last step.  Thanks to India (&God) we got through our final customs check without them looking in our bags. ** if they checked in our bags they could have taxed us on all the stuff we were bringing in!** WHEW!  Shortly after we were greeted by our driver from HEART and proceeded to push, roll, & carry around 38 pieces of luggage-- by10 women. Yes I'm sure we looked pathetic as we had to get to our bus which was a good distance.  From out of nowhere some "nice, but assertive" men showed up and began to assist  us with our "Burdens".  Needless to say they ended up wanting $100 for their services. We settled with $40 and a big lesson of not allowing anyone to help us that wasn't already part of our group. once again we were reminded that "God showed up!"
Another fast forward (but blurry) we had an actual bed to finally rest in and then up for our first day in Kenya...

Departure Day, September 27, 2012

The morning of departure started off with 3 hours of sleep and a 7 mile run @ 4:30 AM with my sole sisters Bonnie and Amy. What a blessing to begin the day running and reveling in the friendships of sisters in Christ. Similar to my days ahead (except the running) but the sharing of love and motherhood with the women of Kenya. What does God have in store for me? I continue to ask. Will I be able to rise to challenges ahead and how will I handle the heartaches I will encounter?

My biggest prayer has been “God, break my heart for what breaks yours. Open my eyes so that I may see, feel and touch you fully, no matter how painful that may be.”  As I now get closer to that journey I question if I asked God the right thing.  I know He will show me what HE NEEDS me to see. With surrender comes responsibility and only with His grace and love can I handle what is ahead.

I want to be broken. I want Him to be able to use me. I don’t want to doubt that wherever He wants to take me will be best. He’s never failed me when I allow Him to lead. And the freedom I feel being fully surrendered in His arms is amazing. 

I can question everything or I can let it all rest in the care of my Lord and Savior who says “give all your cares to me.”  For I WILL be weary and heavy burdened, but He promises me rest...In His arms...Couldn’t think of a better place to be.

Why Africa?

It all began 10 months ago as I was doing my early morning study, I came upon a saying. The question posed was, what do you want your epitaph to read. The response was "She spent all her life giving away her gifts God had given her, there is nothing left."
That began a stirring in my heart. I needed to use everything the Lord had given me. I knew I'd been "gifted" with qualities that I wasn't using fully. I needed to surrender totally to God, let go of fear and see where He would lead.
I didn't know that by my giving it all to God would take me to Africa but as I began to "let go" and "let God" I was excited to see what He had in store.
When my friend Bonnie told me of her praying and prompting from the Lord that she needed to go back to Africa and I was a name that came up there wasn't a moment of hesitation in my response. "I will go" I said.  Of course that was the easy part, but I've been amazed at seeing the Lord continue to work through the connections of Africa and my vision of His desires for me are getting clearer. "Use what I've given you Charmain, I made you for a reason and together we can do great things!"
I've heard it said many times that it's more about the journey than the event, well I feel my whole life is a journey and I'm blessed to share this part of it with you...