Sticks, Stones, Mud...and Prayer

From the actions of children to the prayer-inspired correction of false doctrine being preached, the work done in outskirts of Thika is beyond a lame adjective. The work done is incredibly good because it's of God.

We experienced several churches doing neat things. While 8 in the area are involved with LIA, we visited the five with Orphans and Vulnerable Children programs, two last week and three this week. Each of the churches are doing or planning economic empowerment activities, like chicken raising and gardening, to support the equivalent of pre-school and Kindergarten. In the Kenyan system it is required to do at least two years of pre-primary education to get enrolled in primary school, which is free. Most places charge for pre-school and it makes it very hard for poor people in rural areas to get their children into the school system. The churches have decided to offer this service for free. Where do they find teachers? Preacher’s wives or other volunteers are taking on these tasks. Kids are learning to write their name, interact with others, and how to sing songs of praise to God.

Here there is need. We are working on ways we can help them, without just giving gifts. It is obvious that the teachers that have training are able to see greater response out of the children. As a team we suggested that they collaborate amongst each other. One teacher could share with the others what they have found to be successful. Knowing what resources are necessary to be effective would be a first step. Secondly, acquiring these resources could happen several ways. Many of these programs have undergone government inspections and have been in violation of seating arrangements. We brainstormed ideas and thought we might be able to help not just take care of it for them…more to come.

For me, the most impactful thing was the medical need we found in the rural area that was widespread. Three cases went from simple, to moderate but treatable, to mind blowing. Each was essentially going untreated because of lack of funds to access doctors and knowledge to help their selves. First, we tended one wound and all it took was a first aid kit to prevent major repercussions. Mbithi was a girl that could run, but not stand, due to the pain of an untreated sore. They had suggested she go to the doctor but it wasn’t happening. We cleaned it out, bandaged it up, left some band aids and instructions to change it, and she was on her way to recovery. Then, we met a girl named Jane, she had club foot from birth. Her mom, Esther, described how she was mentally functional as a child until she developed seizures that ‘paralyzed’ her mind. At twelve years old she was very immobile, yet her mom would hoist her around when necessary. A wheel chair is a must as she grows. Lastly, we visited Sami. Just pray for him. I don’t have a clue where to go on this one. He has the scariest condition ever. His skin is essentially a scab in the winter and open wounds in the summer. It was scaly, dry and peeling. We all were dumbfounded. Evidently his single mother is getting some help with lodging and food from the local church, but not enough to cover the $3/day prescription that moderately suppresses the condition. You can see that this is most likely a time where even American medicine would struggle. God does some mighty things when all hope is in the world is lost. Please pray for Sami.

Hope this gives some insight and places we are being used here in a very busy week for us.

-Daniel

Just to continue on what Daniel said, God really showed us a lot in Thika this past week. Out of everything we encountered there seemed to be a recurring theme , hope. It is funny the little things people take out of situations that just present the slightest hint of hope to them and keeps them pressing forward. Everywhere we went to work and help out they assured us that our presence left them encouraged and impacted. We were able to help build a toilet, a kitchen, and a church this week in the most fun way I have ever experienced; out of mud and sticks. As we worked alongside the members of the community to do these tasks and “plaster” the walls with mud they were inspired that we were called by Christ to help them, and we were inspired at the fact so many people would drop what they were doing and help with such tasks. Some of our budget money is going to help them buy tin roofing for the buildings which is supposed to assure them that as they continue to work together as a community in Christ, he will continue to bless them and provide for them. We also were able to purchase two mattresses for a pair of children that do not know their mother and live with a family in the community on wooden slats, using their clothing as padding to sleep on. They were very shy children and spoke very little but the slight smile on their faces as they received the mattresses was all I needed to see to know that their lives were brightened a little that day. The churches in the area radiate a sense of responsibility and commitment to improving the lives of those around them. Everything they do is with unselfish motives and with giving hearts; it has been a real blessing to see this. While all of the building projects and playing with children all week was tiring, it was entirely worth it and the lessons taken from it will be engrained in our minds for years to come.

~Ben