I have to say that yesterday was the most humbling day maybe of my life. It began rather low key. 3 MSTs and Peter went to a school to talk about camp. It was funny b/c Patrick thought we were just going to a meeting (we never really know what's going on) and when we walked into a room of 200 students, he suddenly got very self conscious about his muddy shoes that he hadn't cleaned (remember Africans polish their shoes daily.) Anyway, afterwards, we decided to go to Kibera. We helped serve lunch at Sara Junior and then stayed to clean up. They get out of school early of Friday. This school is also a church so all the tables and chairs have to be moved on Fridays. Liz had worn flip flops that day b/c we didn't expect to be in Kibera. It was the muddiest day I've experienced yet, and a challenge to walk around anywhere. So of course her feet were just covered in dirt. Nirea, the cook, insisted that she help clean Liz's feet. And then she tried to get Liz to take her sneakers instead. Liz almost started crying b/c of course this is the only pair of shoes that this woman has. People here are amazingly generous. (And to think I winced a bit when I gave away my last packet of Swiss Miss to someone in the house)
Afterwards, we went with Po Po to visit some people at their houses. Virginia did this while she was here, so we felt we should follow up. At the first house the woman had basically nothing in her house. She has 3 small kids and her husband has no job. Basically we just talked with her and prayed with her for needs she had. Imagine that this house is built with sticks and mud and maybe 2 rooms, but nothing is in it. The second house, there was a mom and 6 kids. the mom was out working at her vegetable stand but dropped everything to come into the house and talk with us. this house is only one room. there was a bed, and small couch like thing (more like a chair b/c it wasn't very cushioned) and a chair. All those people sleep in there, some on the floor and several on the bed and furniture. there were 5 of us visiting and we could barely sit, so i can't imagine trying to sleep there. the mom really values the education of her children, which is amazing b/c you have to pay for high school here. she was paying for 4 girls to go through school even though she has little money. we prayed for her too as she isn't sure how to pay her rent and keep the kids in school. today the other MSTs and i were discussing ways to help these people. it's hard to know what to do b/c if you just give them money, they could be in the same position next month. how do you empower people? we decided it would be better to allocate money to the school or something so that money goes directly where it should. realizing how little people have and live on was so humbling, sad, and discouraging.
what really got to me was on the way back to town Po Po told me about his life. About his many sisters/brothers from many different dads (one mom). and how his parents divorced and his dad came to take his brother, Alex, and him away. The dad was a pastor and remarried. the step mom proceeded to abuse Po Po and Alex by not feeding them and burning their arms with a hot spoon when they did something wrong. And to think this dad is a pastor!! the mom finally got them back. but it has been a struggle. Po Po said on Thursday he came home and there was no food, so he went to bed hungry and asking God why this was happening. But then he read through Jeremiah, and thought about the part where it says God "knows the plans he has for you; plans to prosper you and not harm you..." and realized that God has a plan for his life. He said he woke up feeling happy and rejuvenated. and then he got a text later in the day to come audition for a advertisement. he is into acting, and was going to get paid 1000 shillings just to audition (that is huge for kibera). so it was an amazing day for him. then he told me he needed me to pray for him. i expected it to be for help for his family with paying bills, etc. but instead he said, " i don't know how to forgive my dad. everytime i get on my knees to pray for him, i can't." this was so huge to me...b/c imagine you have no food, no consistent job, etc. and your biggest concern is that you forgive the person who inflicted so much pain in your life. Po Po really encourages me b/c his faith is so strong and so focused on living out his faith and trusting that God will take care of him.
on thursday, i got to go to an art gallery, for free i might add. i can't tell you how therapeutic this was to my soul. it was very contemporary, abstract art too...something that you would see in the U.S. i love that styles of art cross cultural boundaries. so basically we can all be unified across nations by Christ and by art!
1 comment:
Amy, Thank you so much for sharing your story about Po Po and his father. I can relate to him so much. I too have parents who are divorced, and remarried. My father remarried within months of the divorce of my mother and him. He has children with this wife. My mom left to raise three children two olders boys and one daughter me at the age 23. My father wouldn't send his child support, feeling that his family with his wife was more inportant. And when he would it wouldn't help. My mother worked many of jobs to help keep food on the table, roof over our head and then to get her from and to work everyday. Later in my early teens my father was coming around wanting to have a relationship with me, I was on top of the world, with joy. As visits became more and more, I found to trust more and then found that my step brother (well I'm sure you understand what happened next) me. And I found out also my father was trying to get back with my mom while he was still married. Soon I found myself not wanting anything to do with him. And hiding the incedent with the step brother and closing the relationship with my father. After I marry and have children of my own I realize how important a father is in a family. I then set all feelings hurt and angry to the side and try to have a relationship again with my father, finding that the road is only one way. I have gave this problem to God and am letting him heal the hurt and mend the space between us. I haven't talked to my dad in about 4-5 months and haven't seem him in over a year and a half. So thanks you so much for sharing your story it gives me hope. God Bless Eva
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