Dancing with Granny and Chasing Bats

Hey Friends, after finishing our summer program with the soccer team in Kibera, we had Vacation Bible school with our neighbor's nephews and nieces.

From left: Philis, Moody, Evans (in the back), Benjamin, and Dennis (Esther & Eva not shown)

We met for two hours every day to teach the children about their foundation in Christ.  They asked some amazing questions.  

Here are some of them:

Philis: Does God love people who do witchcraft?

Eva: Why did Jesus come as the Good Shepherd instead of a general or a manager?

Esther: In Genesis 4 God says, “Let us make man in our own image.”  Who is “our” referring to?

Our friend, Samuel, came to share his story of growing up an MK in South Africa.  The children laughed a lot especially when he shared how he thought he was African until he saw an Asian image starring back at him in the mirror.

We always ended our time together by  sharing a cup of tea and cookies. Mealtimes symbolize forgiveness and reconciliation, so we wanted a tangible reminder of God’s forgiveness.  

One of the girls,Esther, lost her parents last year and this is what she learned most from our time together:

“God heals those who have broken their hearts.  There is not anyone who can save more than God, he can save you, He is the healer. God forgives those whose hearts are open. ”

Jody and I got the privilege of escorting Esther to her boarding school in Western Province.  The week before school, we took a 9 hour bus ride and arrived soar and stiff from the bumpy, dirt roads.  Then followed more bumpy, dirt roads, carrying our bags in one hand and holding on to the motor bike driver with the other!

We spent a week with Esther's grandmother, sisters, cousins, and Auntie.  We sang with the children at nights, danced with grandma, and tried to work on the farm, until she chased us back to the house stating that guests do not work! We also chased bats out of our room one night, watched the children cook meals over a stone fire, and accompanied the girls as they fetched water from the river.

We learned first-hand just how hard girls work on the farm and what few opportunities they have in life.

Esther's sisters preparing tea .

At the end of the week, God used Jody's education background to form a strong bond with Esther's principal. They discovered they both shared a passion to encourage girls to be bold in pursuing their education in the midst of all their duties at home.  

Now we are back in Nairobi and Jody is starting English classes with Rwandan refugee women, while I continue to develop our business.

We praise God for any chance He gives us to encourage these young ones in the Lord!

Which, we couldn't do without all your love, prayers, and support!

Esther