Day Three In Kenya

It's actually day 4 for us here but today we just took it easy b/c Katie came down with a fever about half way through the day yesterday.   The rest of us are still holding out. But I'm going to tell you about our day yesterday...

We went to a school called 'Kids to Kids.'  It's a school for children who can't afford to go to the public school.  Even though the public school is free, students have to pay for books, uniforms, and a desk.  Students also have to be able to bring lunch to school.  'Kids to Kids' is a place where kids can come to school for one year.  They are given breakfast and lunch and at the end of the year are given books, a uniform, and desk money!  They also bring them lunch at the public school the next year.  

We had a chance to spend time with them for their craft time.  We brought with us colored beads to make bracelets.  Each color stands for a different Bible story and all together tells the story of salvation.  We taught it to them and they are going to teach it to others!  My kids each told a different part with some posters we made before we left and did an awesome job!  It was a fun experience!   We also helped several of them with their English reading.  All of the Kenyan children learn 3 languages - their tribal tongue, Kiswahili, and English.

  

We ate lunch with them as well.  They all lined up along the wall and we served them first and then we sat down with them and ate.  We had ugali and kale.  Ugali is a corn based mush - it is one of the most inexpensive food available and it makes up a major part of a Kenyan person's diet.  It wasn't that bad but we left thankful that we don't have to eat it every day.  

After we left, we drove down to the slum where the children live.  It was at least a 3 mile walk one way. Their homes were made out of cardboard, wood, tin - basically any large scrap they could find. We left feeling very grateful.  There is so much need here - and everywhere...

After we left we went to the grade school Chapel at Rosslyn Academy (that's the school where my brother works). There was a group of kids from another slum who were part of a group run by some missionaries.  They had prepared a program for us.  We spent the first 20 minutes singing worship songs.  They were the same songs we sing at The Chapel.  It was AWESOME to stand outside and worship the God we all serve with together.  It was a very moving experience for me - it felt a bit like heaven.