No to Nakuru, Yes to Poopoo

Today the rest of the group is making the way to Lake Nakuru which is the home of thousands of flamingos but I remain at Shalom House. The past couple of days, I have had some number two issues which has lead me to be the captain of the D team (I'll let you figure that one out). So between my bathroom visits, I have been processing and reflecting on my experiences thus far. I have really been searching for what the Lord wants me to get out of this second experience.

Yesterday, we visited Kibera the largest slum in Nairobi that is the home to 800,000 to 1,000,000 people in the area of Central Park. After the elections in December there was violence in allparts of Kenya but Kibera experienced alot of destruction and violence. On the way to the Kiscodep office we saw signs saying "stop violence, keep peace." We pulled up to the office and as soon as we stepped of the bus we were greeted by familiar faces that eagerly welcomed us back. We took the afternoon to tour the community development programs. One of the stops was a preschool. It was constructed of tin, plastic sheets and cardboard. It was dim, musty where mostly a class of orphans tried to get an education. They also receive typically their only meal of sugary soup here. At the end of our afternoon together we headed back to their office where they treated us to soda pops and muffins. They did not enjoy these snacks, only provided for us.

2 Corinthians 8:2-3 "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability."These people gave us things that they do not even enjoy themselves. I ask myself how can this be. They know the feeling of going to sleep with hunger in their gut and yet they give the wealthy Americans all they have. How do I make sense of this?

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 "And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means."Where does this leave me? What is right for me to give? Last night in our devotion time we talked about how greatly in proportion to what they have, they give. If I was to do the same and they were to visit my home what would the equivalent be? Would they leave with my family's best china or car even? Even as a college student, I could give enough money to make a difference in that school of orphans. I'm already trying to process how I go home and continue to live aware of wealth I have been given only by the grace of God and how we are called to share it.

Also another thing I attempt to hang on to is the lesson of knowing what is important in life. There are times when I'm sitting with a child that I know that I can not fix their suffering. But I can share a laugh and a smile. I realize through processing alot of the experiences here that in life even when there is great frustration and hardships to go through there is still joy and happiness.

I've also learned to be content in single moments. In the States, we often get caught up in the fast pace business of life. Here I am much more able to sit with someone and be completely in that moment. My mind is not wondering about something else, I'm not focused on the next task. I can sit with another person and be content in that single moment. Over the past year between my experiences in Africa I feel like I was able to hold on to some of this thinking but regardless it slowly would fade and at times be completely lost. I wish there was a way of bottling this so I would not forget to enjoy life.

The thing that I hope to hold on to the most is to not forget what it is like to walk the paths of Kibera. I never want to forget that I've been blessed with wealth that not everyone in this world experience. I want to remember that I feel moved to make the biggest difference I can. I can't simply go home and keep my same perspective of the world and my place in it. This is where I am at right now.

Random side note: I want to wish my sista Tobey a happy 30th birthday. I hope July 10th is a beautiful day back home in the states for a beautiful person. Separate but equal. Love you.