“Put the stone down, nipe!”, Lydia pleaded with young students running past her and her sister-in-law. The primary students were joining the older ones in an all school fight against the principal and the students he bribed. Earlier this month, it was discovered that the principal at the community school First Love partners with had been dishonest with funds. After several months without pay, the teachers had stopped teaching. And now the students were revolting!
This was the week before the missions team was to arrive. It was chaotic, but many prayers and several miracles later, the school has peace again. The principal is gone and trustworthy Kenyans are temporarily leading the 900 students at the school.
All of this contributed to making May our busiest month yet! We were blessed to have a visit from Tyler’s brother Andrew and his wife Melanie for two and a half weeks in May. They joined us in our respective offices and offered many words of advice and encouragement for various projects. One weekend we traveled to the rural area of Kenya. There we had the privilege of meeting with the leading “no till” farmer in Kenya. It was incredible to see the impressive ways in which this family is feeding Kenyans and educating smaller farmers through community outreach projects. The next day, we traveled to a small village outside the town of Chaka, Kenya. We were participating in a “harambee” or fundraising event for a church. Tyler and Andrew each preached a great message and we had some yummy goat stew after the blessed time of worship.
After Andrew and Melanie’s visit, we made the last minute preparations for the missions’ team coming in from our church (National Community Church) in D.C. There were many prayers prayed in the days preceding their arrival. The school where the team was to do the majority of their ministry was closed due to the violence. Two of the students, one whom Tyler is mentoring, were in hiding from the gang of students who were bribed by the politically appointed principal. And tensions were still high in Kibera following the week of riots over perceived political inaction on important issues to residents.
God answered those prayers. The very students who just a few days before were fighting against one another acted together in a skit the team organized. We think God has such a sense of humor!
The team arrived safely on Saturday evening (May 23) and was up bright and early for a fun church service at International Christian Center here in Nairobi. We spent the afternoon getting to know the First Love orphan girls and planning the construction projects for the week.
Monday, after getting the go ahead from Lydia’s boss Chris, we brought the team to Kibera for home visits and a get to know you time with the students. When we arrived the team was stormed with hugs from the kids, they were so excited to meet the team! We split the 17 member team into 5 groups and visited various homes throughout Kibera, after the visits, we met up at a daycare where we had the chance to love on some adorable babies. Monday afternoon, several team members began some construction work out at the First Love girl’s home. Monday evening, the team traveled to conduct training for leaders of a college outreach ministry. It was a blessed time of fellowship and sharing of leadership and small group ideas.
Tuesday we went to the school to begin the work with the high school students. The team had prepared several days of Life Skills training for these students. We had a great first day discussing how to set goals and leadership development. Throughout the week, our time with the students was divided between a large group session and small group time. This allowed each team member to lead a small group and get to know 10-15 students on a more personal level. After the Life Skills training, the freshman and sophomore girls gathered for a “girls only” health forum. It was wonderful to have our friend Molly, a nurse lead this forum. The guys headed to Kimende, a town outside of Nairobi, to lead a business training for a group of businessmen and women. Our friend Matt (Molly’s husband) led this session, it was fun to see how the Lord used this couple throughout the week!
Wednesday, was round two of the Life Skills training. We learned about saying “no” to peer pressure through an awesome skit performed by some of the students and written by team members. Wednesday was also a busy day for Partners Worldwide as they held a trade fair to give opportunities for business owners to network and sell their products. Tyler and the guys helped to host the event, it was a successful day! After another health forum with the juniors and seniors the women traveled to another part of Nairobi for the afternoon where we met with a women’s refugee group. We were treated to worship in Burundian and the beautiful smiles of these impressive women. Team member, Jessica gave some tips on how to socialize confidently, Molly educated them on STDs, and Heather talked about finding our identity in Christ. We were then able to give them beautiful cross necklaces.
Thursday was the last day of life skills training. This session was led by David and Kristin, they taught on budgeting and career choice. It was a great way to end the week at the school. It was so special to see the students engaged and hanging on to every word their small group leader said. Thursday afternoon, the guys finished up their construction projects at the girl’s home. The women on the team headed out to the Langata Women’s prison. There we joined the inmates in worship, it was beautiful to hear their voices sing in Kiswahili and also their respective mother tongues. The women on the team performed a skit on the Good Samaritan. Then Lydia preached on the Good Samaritan. It was such a privilege and honor to preach in the prison for the first time! The team then handed out 300 pairs of underwear to the inmates and biscuits.
Friday the guys met with a group of church leaders in a slum called Kawangware. They encouraged them and prayed with them about starting a video show/theater outreach in their community. The women on the team promoted a local cottage industry called “Amani a Juu” or higher peace. Later in the afternoon we all met up at the First Love Girl’s Home to throw them a big party! The afternoon did include some sad goodbyes as we said “Kwa heri” (goodbye) to First Love missionaries Brian and Heather Dellamater and their two sons. They served faithfully here for 2 ½ years, but are now going to work with First Love in the States. The team had a great time gifting the girl’s with some beautiful things and being sung to after dinner. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and a great way to end an amazing week of ministry!
We praise God for such an amazing week, the team was fantastic, always ready to serve and give every minute their all. We were privileged to have several of our good friends on the team. Jason and Kristin Rosa, Matt and Molly McCallum, Michael Florence, Kelsey Moran, and Kellan Dickens. Michael led the team and actually stuck around a couple days longer.