We Don't Have Ding-Dongs Here

Today was another beautiful day serving at Naomi's Village, and today we got to both serve at NV and drop by the IDP camp that is across the highway from NV. We got to NV early to get a healthy start on today's painting before we headed out to the IDP camp. Mid-morning we piled into the Land Cruiser and drove the 1km to the IDP camp. We were greeted by a mob of children who happened to be out at recess. Commence human jungle gym. We basically got mauled by a small army of loving children. It was fun, exhausting and hurt a little bit. After about 30 minutes, our guides for the morning, Rachel and Sammy, ushered us off to see some of the existing projects in the camp. Rachel and Sammy both volunteer with a humanitarian aid organization called "Marafiki"which is Swahili for "friends". More info on them can be found at http://marafikicommunity.org/, not to be confused with www.marafiki.com which seems to be some manner of Kenyan online dating website.

Check out that chunk of cheek the kid on the right has ahold of! haha

After leaving the crowd of children, they went back to the free school that has been started there, while Rachel and Sammy brought us to meet Joseph, a man who has placed his confidence in the Lord in the midst of some very dark days, and has lead the IDP community towards self-sufficiency by leading the way in a poultry project. He showed us his home, built by Habitat for Humanity, that recently replaced his long-term tent. As we came up to the door of his house, Sammy, trying to express that the house doesn't have a doorbell said, "We don't have ding dongs here." Once again, something was lost in translation, and comedy took its place. He shared with us how he and the others in the community had been driven from their homes due to post-election violence back in 2007. The members of this community had by and large been prosperous professionals living in a nice area, but were driven from their homes as friends and love ones were abused, killed and had their possessions stolen. Joseph talked about the poultry project and shared how he hoped it would be a means for the community to earn a sustainable income, something few in the camp had had since 2007.

Jenn and Julie with Joseph and Rachel

We then moved on to see a home where ladies were making paper bead jewelry to earn a living. We bought a hand full of items, and as we were leaving, everyone was excited. We were excited to have some great jewelry and to support their work, and they were excited about having made some of the first sales in their new trade. 

We headed back to NV to grab lunch and finish up painting for the day. As we did, we passed an elementary aged boy driving a cart of water that was being driven by three donkeys. And why wouldn't we expect to see that on a rural dirt road in the heart of Kenya.

Tonight we came back "home" and grabbed some dinner and ate well. Then Pastor Geoffery from the slum church showed up with his wife Jane. They brought some fresh chapati that was still warm and we spent some time over cokes and chapati talking about his vision for the church, how the Lord was working and how the Lord had called him to faith. We prayed over him and then shut down our day. 

Tomorrow, the Naomi's Village staff has a mini staff retreat. We are taking on some additional roles as most of the staff will be out, so we will see how that goes. Overall, I think it will be great. 

Post written by Matt.