Saturday, In Kibera

Saturday, 18th of August


We stayed our first night in Kibera. Last night we walked up the dirt road to the Ghetto Light youth building. We participated in a fellowship service. The meeting was run by the youth. They started with praying then led a time of worshiping God through music. One student played the heavily used drum that Mariella left here 3 years ago. It is great to see the tool being used frequently. A time was given for people to share stories of how God was moving in their lives. They were thankful for traveling mercies as they traveled to and from a funeral. Mariella and I thanked them for welcoming us and for spending time with us last week at the camp. During the meeting I sat next to the door. It was an interesting feeling to watch people walk by and stare at us as it is obvious that we are outsiders. One of the youths named Sammy made an announcement that he was collecting money to pay for the burial of another youth’s brother. They passed around a paper where the youth pledged to give schillings to help out. Some pledged 25 schillings, other 50 and some 100. About 76 Kenyan Schillings equals one dollar. Ben’s brother was shot and killed last week. At the end of the meeting Friday night another youth named Victor arrived. He was returning from his brother’s funeral earlier in the day. Death is all too common amongst young people. Although the death and hardships are common the teens demonstrate great resiliency despite challenging circumstances. It is neat to see how the youth refer to Able and Milcah as Mom and Dad. The term is one of great respect as they are parents to many.
We returned to Abel and Milcah’s after the meeting, a five minute walk from the Ghetto light youth building. Luckily the electricity and water are working today. They shut the electricity and water off to conserve the precious resources. The electricity is usually off from 6am to 6pm. When the water is on buckets are filled to store the water when it is not available from the tap. Drinking water is boiled as it is possible to pick up Typhoid or other water born bacteria. Mariella and I brought a few jugs of bottled water for safe drinking.
Able and Milcah have been generous in letting us have a room to ourselves. They have moved their young son, Preston into their room along with his baby twin sisters. Many kids hang out at their house and other family live within the courtyard area that forms the boundary of their living space. We had white rice and a vegetable stew for dinner. It was quite good.
We fell asleep to the sound of planes passing overhead, the rumbling of the train which passes through the middle of the slum. Dogs were barking next door and the babies were up during parts of the night as they had slept a long time earlier in the day.
Today people are doing laundry. Bonafas (21 years) and Peter (18 years) live next door with their mother who helps Able and Milcah with their children and house hold duties. Both boys take pride in dressing well and keeping their clothes and shoes clean. They were scrubbing away at their clothes and shoes which are drying from the clothes lines. The boys just left to go practice for a play they have tonight. Most of the ghetto light youth dance and perform skits that share their life stories. They do fantastic skits on topics such as H.I.V., physical abuse, absent fathers, and politicians. The skits are amazing! Today we walked about a mile to an area of town where there was a talent show. Individuals and groups danced and sung to a large crowd of onlookers. The Ghetto Light Youth were supposed to perform, but the organizers did not call them to the stage as they put other acts in-front of the youth. The Ghetto Light youth are involved in theater through Acrobatics, plays/skits, dances, narratives and comedy. It is great to see young people telling their stories through the arts. We road on the buses today with Milcah on the way to the market (cost of 20 schillings/around 25 cents). Each bus ride is a journey of faith as we trust the driver on the crazy streets.
It is clear that life is very difficult in Kibera. At the same time there is great pride in the community. The people of Kenya or Africa should not be pitied. They have a wonderful culture and are moving toward a stronger, healthier and more prosperous country. I assume that the kids and adults who live in Kibera are quite strong and gritty people. I admire the ones who minister to others and work honest jobs to make a living. There are so many caring and intelligent kids who if given the chance would excel and be successful in their endeavors if provided the opportunity. A major problem is the lack of opportunities. Those of you who have had a meal today, have an education and have jobs are blessed more than you can imagine. Please do not take it for granted as there are people who are just as deserving, but find themselves doing life in a place with fewer opportunities. Thank the Lord for your material blessings.