Saturday

Today began early and rainy, with some of us waking before dark due to jet lag. After a great breakfast at the Grace House (our hotel), we were taken to the Pangani Center for a brief orientation. This is the largest of the Missions of Hope International (MOHI) schools and each year evidences continued growth - both in student attendance as well as new buildings and classrooms.

Fred Juma led the orientation - he is "acting director" while Mary is in the States for the missionary convention. He walked us through a brief history of MOHI, its overarching philosophy and some of its key programs. We heard from various leaders of the micro-business programs as well as the social workers. Charity, the Head Teacher at Kosovo, who we have worked with in years past, came to the meeting as well. It was really great seeing old friends again.

We were told that this week is the Standard 8 testing for kids all across Kenya. This is a BIG deal - as it is the determining factor to see whether kids can go on to a high school education. Most children in the slums do not have a chance at this (many not even receiving up to the Standard 8 education, that is, 8th grade). Last year MOHI graduated their first wave of 8th graders - 37 in all who took the test. 100% of them passed. This year they have 96 candidates who will test. Testing begins Tuesday - so prayers are welcome!

Currently MOHI educates about 4,400 children in various locations throughout the slums as well as their boarding school in the country, Joska.

After a detailing of the week's plan, the rain cleared and we took a foot tour down into the slum neighborhoods, visiting homes of individual families. Linda and I were paired with a couple of social workers who took us to the house of Pauline. Pauline is in their community health program. She is raising her 10 children and 4 grandchildren in a tiny shanty. She has a husband, but he is a known alcoholic who spends what little they have on drinking. We only visited briefly, but even that small connection jolts you back to the realization of how deep the poverty runs here.

Apparently yesterday there was a fire that broke out very close to the Pangani Center. It is estimated that about 30-50 homes were destroyed, several of which were homes of children in MOHI's care. While fires like this are somewhat common, it's unclear whether it was started intentionally or perhaps because of an electrical hazard. Stringing throughout the slums are countless wires that people have rigged to tap into the electricity. These are often exposed wires and are very dangerous.

It was quite an experience walking through a post-rain slum. The ground is loosened, bringing with it the mud and waste (human and animal). The air was a mix of odors: human waste, food cooking, rotting garbage, and the charred smell of burned out homes... Children stream toward the visitors (us) with hands outstretched, cheerfully asking, "How are you? How are you?" and asking for us to take their "pich-ah" (picture).

After this tour, we had lunch and visited one of the micro-business programs: the fabric and bead shop. Amazing jewelry and fabric products created by the women who are in their micro-business program.

After finishing at Pangani, we made a brief stop at the Kosovo school. They are nearing completion on a second building on the campus, nearly as tall as their multi-story classroom building upon which we did the mural last year. Their building progress is dizzying. I'm sure we'll get more chances to explore their additions in the days to come.

From here we went to a Giraffe Center to get in a little sight-seeing and group bonding. All I will tell you about this is that 4 of the 6 of us can now say they have kissed a giraffe (no, I'm not one of them). I can also say that giraffes give very sloppy kisses. I have photos to prove it.

With jet lag catching up to most of us, we headed back to the hotel, relaxed a bit and enjoyed some dinner. At this point things are going very good - but we're still a bit upside down on energy. Thankfully tomorrow is another low-key day. Monday we hit the ground running.

After having spent the last hour cutting out over 600 paper Jesus' and Zacchaeus' figures (VBS craft item), we're all turning in for the night.

Good night!