On Tuesday we visited the Saint Boys again, which always warms my heart. I was super pumped about Tuesday because Chris and I were going to paint their house. This required walking to their place again through the slum, which is always a humbling experience. I've shown pictures before of what this house looked like. Or should I say shack. It's a blessing that Chris was able to afford this shack for these boys because before this, they were on the streets. When I first saw it, they had two mattresses on the ground for eight boys to sleep in. Chris and I then made a bunk bed for them and built another bed which was awesome, made it feel more like a home and added a bit more space. On Tuesday we decided to paint the inside for the boys, which was awesome. Since Chris is quite the UNC enthusiast, the color was Carolina blue- but it still looked "fly" and feels more and more like a home for the boys. I love doing anything for those boys. I consider it an honor that I'm able to serve them, serve the saints of God and show them love. That's what they need. They don't have anything, but through Chris's organization they are being trained in biblical teaching, basic education, a place to live and are noticed probably for the first time in their life. Those eight boys are changing the world, and they have played a part in changing my life (before and after pics....check out the video of the house below- remember eight boys live in here).
Yesterday was another busy, productive and wonderful day. Chris and Lindy's "Onlyservants" ministry is completely funded bydonations. These donations can obviously be money, but they also have lots of people donate clothes and shoes for the boys (to learn more check out their blog onlyservants ) Yesterday I was privileged enough too watch as Chris distributed shirts, sweaters and shoes to the boys. I'll never forget that scene. Here we are in the classroom, a tiny building where the boys learn daily. Chris rounds them up and they create a semi circle around them, eagerly waiting on every word he's saying. Chris starts to hand out clothing to each of them and their faces light up, it's like Christmas morning. Some of these clothes are for girls, but these boys don't care. They feel blessed to even have something to wear and are extremely appreciate of Chris. What shocked me was this. Never once did they ask for more, or become jealous of another boy's gift. They each sat patiently in their chair, smiles on their faces and delighted in the gifts they were receiving. The joy in the room exploded into every corner and their smiles lit up the air. They truly are incredible kids. Everyday they choose to come to this school, even when their street boy friends, and environment is telling them to sniff glue, steal and live on the streets. They have made a choice to change their lives. Chris's program is not only providing an education for them (the goal is to get these boys caught up to their individual grade level so they can enter a regular school), but they are also learning discipline, work ethic, grace, love and most of all, they are learning about our savior Jesus Christ. I'm not kidding, these kids are changing the world. And it's been an honor to meet and love them.
After we visited the Saint Boys we returned home and I had an awesome afternoon cleaning out the chicken farms with Thomas, a local Kenyan (it was grrrrrrrreat). Here's the deal with these chicken farms:
A couple years ago Chris and Graig decided to invest and raise funds for chicken farms in Kenya, with the end goal in mind of having local Kenyans run the business. What does this do/mean? Well, it changes lives. Take Thomas for example. Thomas is a wonderful Kenyan man who has worked for Chris's house for several years. Chris and Graig started to hand over the chicken farm business to Thomas and Noah (another Kenyan) and now they run this business. They are able to create work for themselves, sustain a profit and live off of the industry, not off of Chris and Graig. Through Chris's connections with a local bible college in Kibera, both Thomas and Noah are able to pay for an education in biblical training and will be earning their degrees within this year. How cool is that? By providing jobs to two Kenyans, Chris and Graig have started a domino effect of life change. Thomas and Noah not only can fend for themselves, but they can also grow their business and add employees to create work for more Kenyans. They are binge trained in sound biblical teaching, and with their education will be able to interact with and build relationships with more Kenyans than Chris and Graig ever could. These relationships then can turn into more opportunities for the gospel to be shared. I had some awesome conversations with Thomas yesterday while cleaning the chicken farms and we talked about what Kenyans need. He said the biggest thing was love. And in order to do this one must build a relationship built on trustworthiness. And that's exactly what he's experiencing through these Chicken farms. Chris and Graig have loved Thomas and Noah, given them opportunities to work for their living (not just handing them money) and through Christ's power, their lives are being changed. Thomas and Noah will be able to impact more Kenyans than Chris, Graig or I ever could because they are from here and know the culture. That's multiplication people. For the Kingdom. | |
| inside the chicken farm |
It was great working with Thomas yesterday. We scrubbed and washed those floors to a perfect shine, preparing for hundreds of chicks to enter the farm. (they just bought a incubator for the eggs in Chris' garage, every time you go in the garage you can hear the chicks hatching, on Friday we will move the baby chicks into the farm : ) While working, the conversations Thomas and I shared were priceless. He shared with me his life and how he became a Christian and numerous times shared the gospel with me. It was surreal. I was listening to the Gospel being spoken from a Kenyan, half way across the world. I just couldn't help to think how big our God is, and how many lives He has impacted. It was beautiful to listen too. God has no boundaries. He knows no cultural limits. He is everywhere and loves everyone of us. It was awesome to see that in person through Thomas yesterday. When asked what is the best way to interact with people from a different culture I found Thomas first answer quite interesting. I was expecting him to state that one should talk to the locals, learn their ways etc. which he agreed with but first he explained that interactions should start with the bible. We shouldn't bring our cultural understanding of the bible into other places, or our ways of living life. Everything should start and end with the truth that knows no cultural boundaries, the truth that is in God's word. I thought that was interesting and throughout this trip, God has made it evident how important this truth is, and how I really need to eat, sleep and breath it more than I have been.
After we finished work on the chicken farms Chris and I painted the nursery for Chris and Lindy's soon to be baby boy. We were going for a "modern" look (whatever that means) and ya know, I really enjoy painting. Mom, Dad- if you need the porch stained or anything painted at the house, holla at CHA BOI!.....But it was great, Chris and I have had some awesome conversations and I'm learning a lot from this wise man. After painting we had a family dinner and I experience yet another moment where I forgot I was in Africa and had to pinch myself to believe how blessed I am. Chris and Lindy have an awesome balcony on the side of their room with a fire pit, couches and chairs. Well....add two cigars, a brew, arrested development on Chris's computer and a starry night under the African sky- you've got yourself an unbelievable settings that is quite surreal. It was awesome, and I am very blessed. That's all I have to say about that.
I'm pumped for today. Every month Chris and Lindy do something fun for the boys. This has been a hiking trip for a weekend in the past, going to the giraffe park, or just having them over for a night or two watching movies. It gives them a chance to experience life outside the slums, something many people in their circumstances will never get to see. It allows them to feel like kids, to feel like boys, to feel like the precious saints that they are. Today we are taking them to the mall and will buy them lunch, grab a couple of milkshakes and just hang out. I'm stoked, can't wait to spend the afternoon with some outstanding young men.
So that is the jist of what's been going on. If you're not related to me and you've read this in its entirety- wow...surprised...but thanks : ) Prayer reqeusts pllllllllease : )
-pray for Lindy, any day she could be giving birth. Pray for her baby boy and her health.
-pray for Allie. She lives with Chris and Lindy and is a missionary from the US who works under the church I go to in Ann Arbor. She creates designs for Amani Au Juu. She's doing incredible work for the Lord and the women at Amani.
-Keep those prayers coming for the saint boys.
Thanks everyone. Only a couple more days left. Tonight we're having a farewell dinner for a couple who's lived in Kenya for six months. They have felt the Lord calling them to Argentina and have been a big part in the Church here in Kenya. Pray for their safety and travels. They are incredible people (everyone I've met hasbeen incredible ha). Take care and God bless!
-cam
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