Party: 9-11

This morning we got to sleep in! We woke up at 9:30 and ate some breakfast (the fresh pineapple juice rocks my world). We then proceeded to wash 40 plastic chairs because we had company coming over. All the teachers from the school we visited yesterday had been invited over for lunch. We went outside to wash the chairs and David joined us. We got distracted a few times taking pictures of David and visiting the attack dogs. As it turns out the Kamau’s have 5 dogs - four German shepherd looking dogs and one pit bull. Wallace explained that the biggest scariest loudest German shepherd was the top dog in the pack – like a literal pack of dogs. We then organized the chairs in the living room.

I was amazed at how chill everyone was about having 40 people over for the afternoon. Everyone just pitched in and no one seemed stressed at all. Elizabeth cooked food all morning. Mary went out to buy a few last minute things. Faith cleaned the floors. At home, my family would totally be freaking out if we had 40 people over.

Everyone started coming in around noon. We joined at 12:30. We had no idea what was planned for the day, but we were pretty pumped about the food that we had been smelling. Everyone sat down in rows, but then we re-arranged the chairs in a circle. (Example of how relational Kenyan’s are.) We started off with introductions of ourselves. Everyone really respects the Kamau’s (basically Mary and Wallace are their bosses).

After introductions, we started worshiping together. It was SO cool. One lady would sing and then everyone would join sometimes layered and sometimes with harmony. Everyone really belted it out and clapped really loudly. They pretty much just owned the US.  After worship, everyone immediately broke into prayer aloud. It was the natural progression of worship.

Next one of the teachers gave a devotional on love. He discussed that the greatest thing anyone can have is love. Love is greater than wealth, intelligence, or a strong body. We need to love others as God loves us.

Next came the feast! There was so much food. I had rice, beans, chicken, beef stew, bread, green beans, peas, carrots, watermelon, a banana, and Fanta. I only took a small bit of each item because I wanted to make sure I liked them. Even taking a tiny bit of each, my whole plate was totally full. I sat down and thought about how much food I had just snagged. Then as more people sat down, I realized that I was practically anorexic compared to everyone else. Kenyans can put away some food! Even the women piled it high. It was so crazy. And so tasty.

After we ate Mary and Wallace spoke for a bit about Missions of Hope. Wallace spoke about the beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” He encouraged everyone that it is a privilege to serve Mathare valley because we are serving God. In doing so we are being pure in heart and therefore, we will see God in a way that many never will. He added that people do not like living in poverty. Poverty is a curse that we can help relieve. His passion was very obvious. He encouraged everyone to share their faith through their job. If a kid gains nothing else through Missions of Hope, let him gain Christ.

Next Mary spoke and I have a great new respect for her. She literally founded Missions of Hope International. She is the seventh of twenty children and the first person from her village to go to college. As a result there were lots of expectations placed on her. When she graduated college she decided to go to the Mathare Valley and serve. She helped teach 150 kids in a 10 by 10 room. She taught, went on house calls, and ministered to many people.

Members of her family questioned her decision to work in Mathare. They wanted her to get a good job, but she felt God’s pull on her heart to continue her work. So she did. Then she was pressured to get married. But, it never felt right so she didn’t. She knew that the man she would marry must love Mathare as much as she did or it would never work out. So she waited. Finally she met Wallace, a minister who was very passionate about God’s people. Now, Mary claims, they are one of the happiest families in the world (and I agree.) Looking back she remembers the advice given to her by her reverend: “Don’t settle for Saul, wait for David.” Basically, she decided to not marry the man who had the best job or seemed like a good match at the time, but would end up distracting her from her mission. She waited for her David, the right man for the job.

By the end of the party there were two awesome phrases that caught my attention. “I let the cat out of the box.” And, “I don’t mean to blow my own trumpet…” It was awesome. I think that these versions are far superior to the originals. Everyone left around 5:30.

To finish off the day, Julie and I sat on our balcony and watched a beautiful African sunset (mostly because the power was out in the house for hours.) But it was very pleasant.