This morning we rolled in to Pangani and everyone in the CHE office had already left for the clinic in Mathare North. And the doors to the CHE office were locked. So once again, we were stranded. This was totally fine because we just worked in BDS today with Courtney. I did some sweet data input entering new clients into the system. It was surprisingly fascinating. The form they filled out included info on the amount of education they had, their poverty level, whether they were caring for children other than their own, and what sort of business they had.
It was sad to read that many people only had a primary school education. However, I was more saddened to read that some people living in Mathare have a college education. You know a country is in rough shape when someone can go to college and then end up living in a slum. It is terrifying. It was also odd to read that most people were labeled as “poor” when “desperately poor” and “not poor” were the other two options. In my American brain everyone in Mathare is extremely poor. Like, mind-blowing poor. Some were labeled as desperately poor, but most were just poor. The average daily income of a person in Mathare is between $1-$4. That is extreme poverty. Many people in Mathare are caring for children other than their own as well. This is usually due to the child’s parents dying. So now the couple of dollars they earn are stretched even more.
At lunch I purchased an avocado for 15 shillings at a stand just outside the center. It definitely added to my lunch! It was so delicious and so cheap.
In the afternoon I attended the farewell party for the Kurzs. We danced, sang, and ate cake. It was fantastic. The three of us were joined by Erin and Bethany and we drove to the Sarit Center (it’s a sweet mall). We ate a swift dinner in the food court (I had two delicious tacos) and then we watched Eat, Pray, Love. It was a hoot! The movie was pretty awesome, mostly because I was watching it in Kenya. It would have made me want to travel if I saw it at home.
Bethany drove us home like a pro. (I was thankful for her driving skills because it was definitely dark when we left the mall.) On the way home we rocked out to some epic worship songs. As I was sitting in the back of KBG (the car) belting out songs I got to thinking - this feels right. I feel totally at peace being in Kenya. God is doing great things in me and as a result, I am able to serve Him more completely. I absolutely love being surrounded by godly supportive gals. Even though Mathare is very intense, I feel like everyone I am working with is making Kenya a spiritual oasis. I have never gotten to spend quality time with so many epic Christian girls who are so passionate about serving God. Erin, Bethany, and Justine are so wise and with it and hilarious. I just love them so much. Julie and Leann are such beautiful people. I couldn’t ask for two better girls to live with. It is such a blessing to be working in a Christian organization. MOHI is truly transforming lives (including my own).
Not only are my fellow Americans investing in me, but all the Kenyans are too. Mary and Wallace take time to chat and spend time with us. They truly are our Kenyan parents. They take such good care of us and always have our best interests in mind. Wallace is such a great leader and he takes the time to talk to us about leadership. And then there’s the CHE workers. They are so much fun to work with. Culturally, we are very different, but we are all members of the kingdom and servants of the King. I hope and pray that God will create in me a servant’s heart like the CHE workers. They are an inspiration.
In summary, I love it here even though there are definitely challenges and God is certainly developing patience in me. I am very excited to see what God does over the next month and a half while I am here and in the next few years while I am in the U.S.
Audrey, it blesses me so much to know how much you love it there and to know that you are surrounded by godly people who are investing in you. You are a blessing, but you are also being blessed. I love how God works all things for good.
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