Wednesday

Today began with more RAIN! We've had lots of it here this week...

Linda had our morning devotion today, focusing our attention on Jesus' call to action in THIS life - that our hope is not just heaven someday... but rather, is to see a "little bit of heaven" brought into reality here, today. Great thoughts as we plunged again into the slums of Nairobi.

Today VBS transitioned to working with the older kids in primary ages. Everything seemed to go very well - although we had to make some adjustments due to the rain (games had to be moved indoors, which shifted some other rooms around... Also, for some reason only one craft room was set up - so Megan had 150+ kids crammed shoulder to shoulder in a tiny room threading macaroni onto thread... FUN! But despite her hurt ankle and many hiccups like that one - she keeps her game face on and soars through successfully.

Throughout the entire day we continued to paint the interior hallways and stairs of the school - almost finished! They look much fresher and more colorful than before. Everyone seems happy with the facelift. The school is a constant grey construction zone, splashed with mud and other trash that gets dragged in. The Kenyan workers try very hard to keep things nice - but it's a never-ending battle. I asked one of the teachers today if she can ever envision the school NOT being a construction zone... and she simply said, "No...." So I think a little bit of color and fresh paint goes a long way here.

At this point, due to the rain, it's looking less and less likely that the mural will get completed. Some say, "No problem" and others say "No way." We'll see... Right now we're waiting on plaster to dry so we can paint. But of course it's raining even now...

This afternoon's work looked different than usual for most of the crew. Megan and I continued painting - however, Linda went to the Pangani Center to meet with the micro-business trainees in the bead/jewelry program. These are women who are being trained in the skill of beading and jewelry-making so that they have a income-earning skill that is positive. Most of the micro-business ministry is focused toward equipping women - many of which either live alone (raising many children and grandchildren) or are married to men who are not providing for their families. Linda arrived to the Center to find 18 women waiting patiently in a small room - so that she could TEACH them! Surprise! (Linda wasn't briefed on this part of the plan!) But she rolled with it and asked them to share their ideas and work... and they DO make beautiful work!

With Linda at the other school, Michelle did Mobile Medical by herself (that is, with the Kenyan nurse and HIV/AIDS coordinator). They visited 3 homes - but they have found that when word spreads that "medical" is nearby, neighbors stream in. So a house with one or two sick people may suddenly have 8 sick people show up at the door. I have no idea how she and Linda are keeping their heads above water. Hopefully they stay well! More than the rest of us they are willingly entering into very cramped quarters with some very sick people...

Jimmy flew solo today as well, doing Bring the Light for 3 homes, because Josh had an opportunity to join Kioko (Kenyan social worker) to another part of Nairobi - a different slum - where a new school is being started. (I can't remember the name of the area, so I keep calling it Buca De Beppo until someone corrects me).

All of our various forces then converged over at Pangani to pick up Linda and Josh, then we headed out to Mary and Wallace's house for dinner. Mary and Wallace are currently in the U.S., but they have a couple of interns staying at their home - as well as their children - so they graciously invited us over for dinner. Their youngest son David is 4, and he is spitfire. We had fun teasing and tickling him... but somehow, by the end of the night, I had earned the nickname "Supergirl." Not sure how that happened.

By the way - speaking of nicknames: Megan has been nicknamed "Pole." The reason for this is because when she was offer her feet after the accident, while we were gone to church, the hotel staff cared for her with food, ice, fruit and a card. When we returned, I picked up the card and read the front. It said, "Get Well Soon Pole."

I said, "Pole? That's not very nice. Why are they calling you Pole?" Of course they all burst out laughing at me. (And then informed me that "pole" is really pronounced "pole-ay" and is Kenyan for "sorry").

Well, regardless: Megan is now known as Pole and she is Supergirl's sidekick.