One Month Anniversary

Well it has been 1 month since I have arrived...where has the time gone? I have forgotten to tell you about the school strike problems that have been happening in the last few weeks. Many students in the local boarding high schools have gone on strike...yes, i know this is a foreign concept b/c even teachers rarely strike at home. apparently they're upset about dumb things like the food and exams. it is currently the end of the semester and they are taking exams. but this problem is really getting out of hand. a boy was killed last week when the kids set off explosives in the building. there's been a lot of arson as well. we were discussing it last night with Peter, and i think a big part of the problem is that there is no way to reasonably voice complaints like there would be at home. but as each strike happens, it is spreading to other schools. please pray for this situation. that this violence would stop. in a way it reminds me of the school shooting problems that we have at home.

in positive news, i went with Milham, Peter's brother, on Monday to help select a sewing machine for a school in Siya. another MST donated money to buy a machine and material b/c the students' clothing is all ripped and tattered there. we will be going to siya in september. i think it's at least 5 hours from here, and it is where obama's grandmother lives. anyway, milham and i walked all over the city. he is the most humble and kind person you'll ever meet. very soft spoken. he has been living with peter since the election violence. wherever he was previously was unsafe for him. he was also supposed to go to america a few months ago, but somehow he lost his visa, which is difficult and expensive to replace. he never complains though and he helps all of us with our turn at doing the dishes. doing the dishes is so much work here b/c you have to heat up the water, and everyone doesn't finish dinner until about 10 p.m. so it makes for a late night. speaking of which, it's my turn tonight :)

we went to the juvenile home today, and i must say i feel very humbled after this experience. i was in charge of planning this , and of course it didn't go the least bit as expected. we only had this very small room to work in and we split into groups and no one could hear. and lots of kids couldn't read or write or speak English. so there are many adjustments we need to make before next week. but the worship music seemed very effective and they loved the games that Po Po (a Kenyan) did with them. i think today was good for me because it reminded me that i can't be in control of anything, ultimately it's up to God. i really feel overwhelmed though today by the needs of people here. i think for people that are here for a short time as an MST, it is easier for them to just go in, sing songs and do a skit, and know that they liked you being there. but b/c i'm here longer, there is more relationship building to do and thinking long term. it's hard to know how to get at the root of the problem. these boys need fed physically, mentally, and spiritually. i truly thank God that i am here with a Christian organization b/c i can't imagine just meeting the physical needs of people only. many of these kids will struggle their whole lives, so without looking at it from a Biblical perspective, I'm not sure how you survive. Adrian, Rodger, and I are going to try to pitch in to buy some shoes for these kids. lots of them didn't have shoes and it's only a $1 a pair, so very doable. Be grateful today that you have shoes. I think about my closet full at home. Imagine not having any. and about the shoes, sometimes they're made from the rubber of tires. i guess it's durable and lasts a long time and people even inherit these shoes. please pray for these kids and for what we should be doing with them. also pray that God gives me encouragement. sometimes i feel like i'm not a very effective tool. i keep reminding myself it's the little things. And James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.