Tomorrow after chapel we are going into the Eastleigh slum for about 5 hours. Anthony and his team have identified nine boys who may be coming to live at the farm. They have spent the last week with them doing intensive interviewing, taking them to a camp outside of Nairobi. They boys have to be willing to give up glue, stealing, and a lot of the freedom they have come to know on the streets. There were twelve that attended the camp, but only nine have decided to come, I think.
Going into Eastleigh is a big deal to everyone here. It is the geographic center of their mission and everyone here has that neighborhood in common. It is a messy, chaotic, overwhelming place, from what we could tell from our short drive through there a few days ago. We will be following some of the boys and documenting the entire process of walking the "bases", doing home visits, getting documents signed, and getting tested for diseases at the dr.'s office. If all goes well, some or all of the boys will return with us tomorrow night and spend their first night in the dorm.
I will be bringing one of my two Canon camera bodies and one "L" lens. Jerram is bringing his Canon HiDef camcorder. We have been told that we are the first US team to be allowed (by the MITS staff members) to bring camera gear into Eastleigh. We will be escorted by team members and have been advised to stay close, pay attention and to do exactly as we are told. I was also told that if we were to be approached by anyone who was prepared to take our gear, that we probably wouldn't be injured if we just let them take what they want. That was certainly reassuring.
As you say your prayers tonight, remember the three of us, the MITS team members, and of course the nine boys who are hopefully sleeping on the streets tonight for the last time in their lives. Its ultimately their decision to come to the farm (and their parents if they are around) and some boys cannot choose to give up everything they have come to know on the streets. We prayed tonight that God would soften their hearts and bring them to us tomorrow as we walk the bases looking for them.
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8 comments:
Darren, Jerram and Emily,
Going through slums is a disturbing experience. In Honduras, several of our students were overwhelmed by what they saw. We also have had great visits with people in such places, and lessons about being totally unaware of our own insensitivities. My prayers are with you for continued open minds and hearts, and for a continuation of the giving spirit you all have demonstrated.
Arn
We'll pray for your safety and we pray that God will use your talents to tell the stories of the people you meet.
And I'll pray that your equipment doesn't get stolen :-)
Darren, Jerram & Emily, all three of you and everyone going with you will be in my prayers tonight and every night. I pray that the boys will find it in thier hearts to come live on the farm. God be with you all. Love Marilyn
Good luck tomorrow!! I will keep you all in my thoughts. I know you all are doing an amazing job, and I can't wait to hear how the visits go. Hopefully all the boys will choose the better life offered at the school.
Angela
After your visit tomorrow you will never again want to complain about anything. We know we are richly blessed but seeing this slum in a mind changing experience. I will be praying for you and for the boys.
Angela just emailed me your blog, which I have just finished reading. It is now on its way around the world to the prayer warriors in my family. What a mission! My prayers are with you as you walk the bases. Beth
Again...God's timing is perfect. You being there now... is as evident as His timing throughout scripture. Remember how long Hannah prayed for a baby? When everything was in perfect alignment Samuel was born...He was born to anoint David. Matthew 1:17 reads 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to the exile to Babylon and 14 generations from Babylon to Jesus. He is as real as it gets!
Chapel Song Request:
"Song in My Soul".
Love,
iris
Again I am amazed. What a humbling experience. Just from what I am reading, it makes me feel like my problems are nothing but a blip on the map and I need to put things in a true perspective. My prayers are with you all.
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