Day 4: Heart Staff Party

A few of the guys enjoying the party!

  Yahoo!  We had the opportunity to love and honor the Heart staff with a hawaiian luau party.  The food was catered from their favorite place, everyone wore lei's and we all played games together.  It was super fun.  We played basic games like UNO, domino's and phase 1.  It's interesting as I asked if they play games like cards or board games with their families.  They all said no.  So it was a blast to teach them UNO.  As we sat around the table, we chatted about basic cultural differences.  Like things Americans can talk about and things Kenyan's do not.  For instance, one of the staff members, Deborah is single.  I asked her if she has a boyfriend, how old she is...you know me, I'm not shy when asking questions!  They all started laughing and told me they don't discuss things like that.  I got to know another staff member, Rachel, a mom of three.  Her son is in 7th grade and at a boarding school.  She can see him for 4 hours one Saturday a month.  She said it has been hard and that she misses him.  :(  Wow!  I can't imagine.  We also started talking about how and when you have the "sex" talk with your kids.  Really??  These things are universal between moms.  :)  I just love how God works, bringing us all together even if we live half way around the world!  We also played musical chairs and the egg on the spoon relay race.  Games they had never played before.  Unbelievable how a basic game can be extremely fun in any part of the world.  They had a blast.  The Heart staff has Christmas parties, but they have never had a party just to honor them.  The Heart staff is filled with God honoring, fun loving people.  When guests come into the lodge from a day at the slums, they are weary, sad and trying to process what they just saw.  However, the Heart staff greets you with a smile, lifts your spirits and has a hot meal.  So inviting, so loving and such a place to be refreshed.  Jeanne spoke encouragement to the staff, to lift them up and to encourage them to continue to be faithful to Heart and God's calling.  It was a wonderful day.

Musical chairs at it's best!!

Steady....

The girls winning team. :)

Luau ready!!

Sara and Charmain...say cheese!

  

Day 3: Ngong WEEP Center

  Today we went to the Ngong WEEP Center, about 1 hr drive.  As our bus drove up, the ladies came out singing to us, it was beautiful.  We came to Ngong today because these ladies were being presented with new sewing machines and they wanted us to pray over them.  The entire day was an emotional blessing to say the least.  These ladies shared some raw emotions and were ridiculously authentic.  Some of these ladies are PROP ladies or in phase 1 of the Heart program.  Which means they are sick with HIV/AIDS and they are getting the medicines needed to feel better.  However, they may not be well enough to get to the center yet.  Heart comes to support these ladies by paying their rent, providing food for their families, taking care of their children and paying for their schooling and paying for all of their medical needs.  As these PROP ladies get better, they come to the center to learn a skill like sewing clothes, sewing mosquito nets and candle making.  After the skill is mastered and their health is stabilized they graduate from the program.  This is where they start their own business.  So...here are some crazy figures...To put a lady through the entire program for 18 months is $950.  To start a business: $150, a new sewing machine: $150, buy a house: $500.  Yes, re-read if you need to.  It's mind blowing.  I'm pretty sure we all make a trip to costco or target for the price of a sewing machine or for a women to start a business.  Really nothing if you break it down per month on $950 to support a lady through the program.  These women at Ngong have taken money they received from their graduation last year and invested the money back into the community.  They have started their own bank, if you will, and the community is borrowing their money at 30% interest!  The banks in town are at 28% interest.  Needless to say, these women started with $150 and have doubled their money in 3 months!  I'm not great at numbers, but even I know that's a serious return!!  So proud of these ladies.  They once were shunned by the community and now they are looked at as leaders.  :)

This is Naomi, a mom of 2 children
who I had the privilege of praying
over and her machine. 

This was taped on the WEEP center wall... Think it might have a place in my house too. 

  We went to 3 of the ladies homes today.  First was Frieda.  She and her 2 boys live in her home.  Her home is close to 10X10 in size, has corrugated metal walls, and a wood door that hardly opens.  She was able to fit two double beds in the house and two small chairs.  She is in phase 1 of Heart.  In fact, she is too sick to make it to the center.  She was extremely thankful we came, but after we sat down, she started to weep.  When she caught her breath, she said she couldn't believe someone would come visit her and that she was embarrassed because she wasn't feeling well.  She shared her story of how she came from a family of wealth.  In fact they live in Nairobi now and are extremely successful.  However, they found out her status and disowned her.  She was left to die.  As she shared her story, tears ran down her face, her 10 yr old son walked in and sat next to his mom.  I couldn't hold back my tears so I sniffled and didn't bother to wipe my tears as I held her hand.  It broke my heart.  I was thinking how unfair life had gone so far for Frieda.  Why was she chosen for these struggles?  She's a mom like me, wanting to provide, love and enjoy her son.  But here she's dizzy, coughing and unable to get up.  Her son sits next to her worried, unsure of his future and looking for stability.  Ugh.  No one should go through this.  We all laid hands on Frieda and prayed for her health, her strength, her peace and her boys.  Very difficult to walk away from her.  A hug and a "I'll be praying for you" comment didn't seem to come close to helping her or her son.

Frieda, her son and all of us who prayed for her.  :)

Frieda's kitchen

Frieda's counter.  Love the Bible with stuffed animal on top.  

  We walked through the Ngong slums to the Dorcus' house.  She is a graduate from last year who is doing very well in her sewing business.  In fact she took the money we gave her last year and bought her old house, rents it out and bought this new house.  It has 3 10X10 rooms!  Has a little fenced in yard too!  She is very well off in the slums.  Walking to her house was sad.  Here I had left Frieda with worry.  Wondering how she will have the energy to feed her boys tonight.  Scared her boys will be worried about their mom tonight as they listen to her cough.  I saw kids playing with wires in their mouths.  A baby with no shoes walking around in the dirt and playing with rusted metal.  Glass was everywhere and tears ran down my face thinking of my babies walking in this, playing in this filth and this being the best their life will be.  Ugh...Don't we all just want kids who do well??  Makes me wonder what the definition of success is.  Is it having all the nice things, saying the right things,  looking the right way etc.?  or is it to reach out and help the widows and orphans who are crying out for help?  If my kids walked through any slum would I want them to reach out and help?  What kind of example am I if I can't do what I would long for them to do?  What Christ asks us to do.

  Ok, gotta get my thoughts together ...Dorcus.  She is a mom of 7.  Yep, 7!  She is super woman for sure.  She has had cancer, AIDS and just after a few months of her husband passing away, her twin boys passed away.  She has lost her voice box and talks though a machine.  She has been robbed and worked  hard enough to replace all that she has lost.  She has become a mentor for the younger ladies at Heart.  She was proud to have us at her home and she grinned from ear to ear.  Still hearing all of her heartache, I couldn't believe she was smiling so big, so full of life and so full of hope.  You see, last year, I remember praying for her before she went into a pretty risky surgery.  Tears ran down my cheeks as I heard her story.  God is obviously not down with her yet!  So incredibly proud of her.  How can you not get discouraged with all of that heartache?  What keeps you pressing forward?  Fighting?  Hope for a better life and a belief that with God she could put one foot in front of the other.  So she lived one day at a time.  Incredibly inspirational.

  What an amazing day!!  The women touched my heart.  They certainly shined through their troubles, worries and fought to be who God created them to be.  Will I have this strength?  I may not have the same worries.  I may not be as sick.  But we are both moms hoping to raise kids who love and know God.  I pray I can shine as much as these women shine for Christ in the midst of struggle, sadness and worry.  Made me think of how many times I've been discouraged or sad.  Did I look up to gain strength? or look down and loose the strength that I had?  Dorcus continues to look up to the brightly lit light.  This light that she knows and believes will give her strength.  Even if the light is dimly lit, it's still lit and requires me to look past the clouds.  Good thing I serve a God who always leaves the light on.  :)  A little motel six for ya.  :))  

  Here are some pic's from the slums...

       

Day 2: Compassion Child Visit

  This afternoon, I got to meet both of our compassion boys we sponsor in Kenya!  What a thrilling day! The emotion today was overwhelming and words can not do the day or my feelings justice.  Oscar had church with me, I met his mom and now He gets to ride on the bus back to the Heart lodge with me.  It was so fantastic to ride on the bus with Oscar.  As we passed places, he would tell me what things were and even pointed out his school.  We had the best conversation on the bus.  Honestly, some of the ride was difficult too, as his day to day life in the Dandora slums became real.  I tried my best to hold back the tears and enjoy the ride with him rather than the sadness of his reality.  Oscar celebrated his birthday a week before, so I had asked him what he did for his birthday.  He told me his mom had just paid his brother's school bills and didn't have any money to do anything.  He did his chores and in his words "there is always next year to do something".  What?  I can't imagine my kids saying something like this.  Next year seems like an eternity to a child.  We would never think of not celebrating or purchasing something for our kids on their birthday.  I'm mean really...how many of us buy stuff that our kids don't really need, but we want them to open something?  Or worse, stare at the toys on the shelf, trying to decide what to get them?  It's disgusting really.  Here, Oscar's mom doesn't have the luxury to buy him something, let alone a cake!  I'm humbled.

  After we arrived at the Heart lodge, Dancan, our other boy we sponsor, showed up.  When I turned the corner and saw his face, he jumped so high and ran to give me a giant hug.  Tears were flowing as I enjoyed the warm welcome and the hug that I missed so much.  Dancan and I joined Oscar at the table. I was nervous how I would spend quality time with each boy, but once again, God showed up!  These boys became fast friends.  In fact some thought they were brothers.  :)  Well they are, brothers in Christ and brothers in the Brust extended family.  :)  I gave them both a silver puzzle piece bracelet with their name inscribed on one side and 1 Cor. 12:27 on the back.  I explained to them how meeting them and spending time with them today was a very important part in my trip to Kenya and with out seeing them, my trip would not have been complete.  I also shared that Paul, Abby, Billy and Molly have the same silver puzzle piece and that now, Oscar and Dancan are part of our puzzle/family.  They were super excited and wanted to put it on instantly.  

  We talked, shared stories, looked at pictures and ate some lunch together.  It was a wonderful time.  I found out that Oscar would like to be a chemist to make a cure for AIDS and Dancan would like to be a pastor.  Oscar's favorite bible verse is Psalm 121:1 and Dancan's is Romans 8:28.  We kicked the soccer ball around a bit, jumped rope and skyped with Paul and the kids.  When Oscar got on the computer with the kids, Abby said "Hi Oscar!  We have a song for you!"  I wasn't real sure what song they were going to pull out, it was 6am for them...  But when they started singing Happy Birthday, I looked over at Oscar and he not only had a huge smile, he had tears in his eyes.  At the end of the song, he was hardly able to say "thank you, that means so much.  I love you.".  Wow!  The littlest things matter.  Another reminder, it's not about the presents, but about the thought behind the actions in loving someone.  When Dancan talked to the kids, he picked up right where he left off last year.  Truly amazing. 

  Saying good bye, well, it ripped my heart out.  Both boys held my hand, had tears in their eyes and didn't want to leave.  Me either and I didn't hold back the tears as I told them that we may be half way around the world, but when you get sad, look up!  Because God can guide you when you look up to Him.  When you look down, you become discouraged.  When you look up and see the sky, it's the same sky that I see and same God that I look to for strength and courage.  Yes, tears came all to easily.  Tears of joy that once again I'm honored that God picked me to be a part of these boys lives.

Puzzle bracelets...

Chatting away!

Dancan, Me & Oscar

Two cuties... brothers in Christ!

Is this Heaven on Earth???

A silly face picture was a must!

The boys did some videos for the kids...super cute!                

Day 2: Dandora Church

  Today we drove into the slums to go to church at Dandora Baptist.  This is the same church Paul came to help work on during his trip to Africa a few years ago.  Driving into the slums, I tried to tell myself it wouldn't be that tough, because I knew what to expect, what my eyes might see and how I might feel.  The smells, the sites and the busyness was overwhelming yet again.  Kids playing with hub caps with a wire attached, people bustling around from one place to the next and pigs eating in the dump with families next to them looking for hidden treasures they can either sell or eat.

  Why should anyone live this way?  The things I saw today, I would not let my own kids do at all.  In fact the thought of my family living in these conditions, makes me completely sick.  However, in the midst of all the filth there was the church, clean, beautiful and full of the Holy Spirit.  I saw several families looking nicely dressed, walking to church.   Which brought interesting thoughts to my mind.  These people in the slums must have a desire to be more, go to knew places and have hope that there is more to life.  Isn't this how God see's us?  Sometimes we have so much "junk", "dirty laundry" or "baggage" all around us.  But Christ see's us clean, pure and wonderfully made.  He see's us through His eyes, full of potential if we would only look to Him and change our perspective.  Why do I see myself with the filthy dirt all around me?  I pray that I can see myself through His eyes, because I really do see there is more to life and I want to reach to Him more to clear the dirt around me.  

  Pastor John and his wife Rose were thrilled to see us and wanted to show us all around the new church.  It was great for the team to see the old church and now the new church.  What a difference, so beautiful. 

New church isle...

Front of new church

Old church outside

Old church inside

Rose, Pastor John and Raphael

Pastor John, Rose and team.  :)

  Raphael is terrific!  He has helped me set up the Dandora visit.  He shared that the pastor has been his mentor for many years.  Raphael is a compassion child who Bayside church, as a whole, has been sponsoring.  He is finishing his last semester at University.  He would like to do something with community development when he is done with school.  Such an amazing young man, so full of God's love and a infectious smile.  :)

  Later after church, we were meeting our compassion children.  One of my family's compassion children goes to Dandora Baptist for church and school.  I had shared with Raphael that it would be a dream of mine to go to church with Oscar and his family.  As our team walked into church...there was Oscar.  Yes, insert tears.  I was overwhelmed with emotion.  Oscar is in his first year of high school.  Was this happening??  

  Oh my goodness...are you crying with me??  Really???  Oscar's smile is beautiful and it was terrific to raise hands, clap, pray and enjoy the service together.  I got to meet his mom too!  She was so appreciative and gave me the strongest hug.  Oscar had to translate for us to talk.  I kept saying how proud we were of Oscar and how we are so honored to be a part of his family.  His mom wanted to know about us, how many kids we have etc.  It was amazing.  Can you imagine being his mom for a moment?  I mean I really can't.  Billy meeting sitting at church with his sponsor who pays for him to go to school and get food each day.  I too would want to know who is doing this for my child.  What are they like?  I wouldn't know what to say or how to say thanks.  There was so much emotion, excitement and joy in this precious experience.  One that I'm sure will be needing to be processed.  Oh how I feel blessed to have this experience.  Sitting in church with Oscar, I felt like I needed to pinch myself as tears of joy fell.  How could God love me this much to choose me to sponsor this child?

  Service was amazing, not just because of Oscar, but because of the infectious joy for the Lord the members of Dandora Baptist have.  Pastor John explained that the church is founded and how they laid out the church entrance when you walk in.  When you walk in the doors inscribed in the floor you see Psalm 23 which talks about who you are to Christ.  As you walk towards the alter, inscribed in the floor is Matthew 28:16-20 which talks of the great commission that God has for you.  Then right before the alter, inscribed is Jesus Christ our only Strength.  Which represents the power of the holy spirit in you.  Just love the symbolism.  We should be thinking about this daily.  God brings us together for one reason, the great commission.  All our other chores or busyness should come after that.  The service also talk about God testing us, Phil. 4:6-7 "Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."  Tears fell as I thought of the church members and their worries.  Oscar and what he faces on a daily basis.  I don't have the slightest idea of the kind of worries they have.  I can only imagine, but I really have no idea what it's like.  And as I sit here in church, they are all believing, praying and trusting in God to provide, care and love others.   In fact after service, they were going to a few people's home in the community to share God's love and preach the gospel!   I'm thinking, I was fretting about all the details of the trip, errands I had to do before getting here etc...my fretting is ridiculous.  These folks are fretting about food, paying rent in a 1 room shack, not getting a disease...staying alive!  Really?  Puts things into perspective quickly.  Again, thank you God that I have this opportunity to look with in and make some changes.  :)

       

Day 1: Park Day

  Wow...What a day!  We went to Paradise Lost park to meet several of the ladies and their children.  This is a special treat for these families as they only go to this park once a year!  It is expensive for these families, $3 for adults and $2 for kids.  Paradise Lost offers boat rides, waterfalls, caves and camel rides.  Yep, camel rides!

  The best part of the day was getting off the bus and seeing the ladies who I had met last year.  The ladies were singing as I was walking over to give hugs and when I made eye contact with them, big smiles appeared on their faces.  I had tears coming everywhere as I gave each of them big giant "Billy" hugs.  They said we prayed it was you coming back.  Really?  Wow!  I kept saying, "I told you I would share your stories with my friends and I brought 9 other friends back with me!".  

  

  We provided crafts and games for their children while the mom's had a bible study time together.  Katie Clothier shared from her heart about how to speak encouraging words into your children.  We had lunch together and were able to enjoy the park with the women and their children.  It was so terrific seeing my mom friends again and share a fun day with them.

My friends who changed my perspective on life!  We made funny faces. :)

This little guy wanted me to take photo's of him.  :)

This little girl played with my hair most of the time at the boats.  Such a love.  

My friends Everlyn and Beatrice.  An absolute joy to see them again!

Who knew scratch crosses would be such a huge hit??

  Last year I visited a lady, Mary, who was super sick and unable to get out of her bed.  Heart came in and took care of her medical needs, her rent, paid for her children's school, food for the family and mentored her as she got better.  Today, I got to see Mary at the park with her children!  Amazing!  To see her well and enjoying a day with her family is remarkable.  Mary is a true testament to the great things Heart continues to do for these widowed mothers.  I kept thinking, these mom's are just like me.  They enjoy time with their friends, want to know more about Christ, laugh, cry and want the best for their kids.  We might be half way around the world from one another and have different color skin, but we are just like sisters...sisters in Christ.   

  

Off we go...

 

40 bags, 20 carry on bags and 10 ladies who are excited and nervous for 18 hours of flying!  Our flights were uneventful and some of us wished we had gotten more sleep.  But over all, our travel was terrific.  We even made it threw customs with no trouble at all AND all of our bags made it!  Yahoo!  We are tired but so looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us this week.