Thursday

Today was a good day - we finished the VBS program and the painting of the interior walls and stairs of the school! It seemed like everything just went according to plan today. The weather was beautiful, VBS stayed right on schedule, and the painting turned out great. (Of course, Megan did twist her ankle again today - but Megan injuries are sort of becoming old news around Kenya...)

During the second half of the day, Linda headed out on another Mobile Medical trip while the rest of us (minus Megan who sat on the sideline taking pics) played an epic game of soccer against the kids of the school. It was adults (LifeSpring and Kenya leaders) vs. kids. We tied - 6 to 6, which we are taking as a victory. These kids are intense. Most of them were barefoot the entire time and they still took us to task. We played our hardest, occasionally shouting from burning lungs, "NO MERCY!!!" That's right - we had one goal: stomp the kids. But before you feel sorry for them - know that they came prepared. During Megan's teaching time on the fruit of kindness, she even prepped them by saying, "There is one place you DON'T have to be kind: today's soccer match against the adults." Those kids came wanting blood, I'm sure of it.

Anyway - 6 to 6 was the result (and we're proud of that). Of course, now we're all beat silly. Our bodies ache! I want to know if this counts as suffering for Christ...

As I said, meanwhile Linda was working in the slums with Mobile Medical (yes, at least one of us was doing some REAL ministry). That ministry has been an interesting one for her and Michelle. I think we all thought that there would be pre-determined homes that the Kenyan social workers would guide them to - however, it turns out that they simply load up a backpack of various medical supplies and go walking through the slums asking people if there are any sick persons in their homes. More responsive than planned. Once in a home, word generally spreads and then soon many others have come. Linda said it's like trying to give treatment to a group of people in a crowded elevator. It seems like they've had to operate in a kind of "improv" fashion, being ready to enter a home and just see what they find there. It is definitely a less structured approach than the clinics we've been a part of in the past. Michelle has pointed out that most of what they're able to do is really more like symptom management - but they are helping establish the presence of the mission as a place that brings help to the community.

This evening we had dinner at Oliver and Ednah's house. Very relaxing. Two other visiting Americans joined us as well. The evening was pretty laid back - but there was one particular highlight for most of the group: when Oliver and Ednah presented me with a very interesting African outfit. I won't describe it, because I'm sure there will eventually be some pictures floating around for everyone's amusement... Everyone got a shirt or dress as a gift, but mine was... well... I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

Back to the hotel - tired, but satisfied with the day. Tomorrow is our last work day in Kenya! Wow - it's gone fast...