Day 6

Today we finished our work at Kosovo. The day began with another medical screening, this time of the Kosovo mission staff. The plan was to work until 10:30, however by that time more staff still needed to be seen as well as several local residents and their children. Surprisingly, they found many of the staff to be in worse condition than the children. One last child showed signs of having TB. Congrats to Dave and Linda for the marathon of screenings – 363 children and 40+ staff and residents.

(While I was in the next room painting murals, I could hear their interactions with the children and staff. What impressed me most was their ability, from the first child to the last, to keep a sweet and sensitive spirit with every child they assessed. They never fell into an assembly line approach, but treated each child with the same tenderness I am sure they treat their own grandchildren…)

At 10:30, Steve, Josh and I made the mistake of being recruited into a staff vs. children soccer (football) match. I say “mistake” because we are all paying for it now. Sunburn, sore muscles, and wounded ego. We lost 5 to 4 – and we tried our hardest. Sad to say, we have embarrassed America. This children – ages 7 and 8 taught us a lesson we won’t soon forget. At one point, I accidentally (I promise, accidentally) kicked a kid, Stephen, in the ankle… hard. And yet, he still stole the ball and left me in the dust without skipping a beat… and all of this while playing in nothing but his socks.

So… we’re going to need to do some practicing for next year.

(For the sick individuals who are interested – Megan has much of this documented on video – including an especially good fall I took about half way through. Did I mention this game lasted over an hour without a single break?)

After the soccer fiasco – we all migrated down to the mission and were given a selection of sewed items to choose to purchase. These were items sewn by the women of the Mathare slums who they are training in their micro-enterprise programs.

Next was a closing program where the children sang songs to make angels jealous… many thanks from the leaders… cake to be shared by everyone. From beginning to end, the Kenyans have showered us with hospitality.

The day finished off with a trip to the “village market,” which is actually in a pretty high-end mall ($50 jeans), but is an open-air market hosted every Friday. Tough bargaining – special gifts… it was fun.

Just got back from dinner at the mall next door the hotel and we are beat. Good beat. This has been a great trip and we’re all thankful for the opportunity to serve together and with these wonderful people. Soon we will be home and ready to share story after story of our experiences here…