I heart BOLM

Popo and I just got back from BOLM.  For those of you who've read my book or heard me talk much about Kenya, you will probably remember this place.  BOLM is a children's home where I used to spend a lot of time when i was here last time.  unfortunately, they've moved about 2 hours outside of the city so it's impossible for me to go there regularly. but fortunately i was able to go visit last night.  Popo arranged with Agatha, the director for us to come.  it was fitting that he come with me b/c he also used to spend a lot of time there.  after the street women ministry yesterday (where rachel and i spent a lot of time watching kids while alex talked to the women and then we did some watercolor painting with them and helped the kids who were trying to eat the paint) popo and i took a matatu to get there.  we waited an hour for the matatu to fill up so that we could leave so it took us over 3 hours to get there.  it was already starting to get dark when we arrived, but the place where BOLM is now, Kirinyga, is beautiful.  i love the villages of kenya.  they are much more peaceful (despite the bumpy road getting there), and relaxed.  people were selling sugar cane at the stop where we got off.  everyone welcomed us and i recognized many of the kids.  the place has really grown.  there are over 100 kids now and there were only 40ish last time.  there are 2 big dormitories for boys and girls.  after saying hi, we joined the kids in what agatha called a "fellowship."  we had to go inside one of the classrooms b/c it started raining.  we sang worship songs and the kids danced and clapped around and then agatha preached.  she kind of scares me because she yells so loud and intensely.  i know this is common for kenya, but i can't help wondering if it's too much for these small children.  in any case they seem very happy.  many of them are orphans or former street kids and they are obviously in a better place now.  during all this it got dark and there were no lights.  of course, dumb me forgot to bring a flashlight.

as soon as i got there, i could tell i was very emotional.  agatha kept telling me that the kids still remember me.  they were asking about some of the other MSTs that i worked with last time, and they asked where my mom was too.  i think i was so happy and surprised/grateful to be there.  as we sat there singing in the dark i kept telling popo that i was going to cry.  and then i did.  and not just little tears either; they were pouring down.  maybe it was also the realization that i'm leaving soon or the nostalgic feeling of being there; or the peace that came over me; or how it reminded me of being at summer camp as a kid.  i don't know, but i was crying a lot.  popo was wearing a t-shirt that micah and harry screen printed with the BOLM school on it, and he was telling the kids about how i remember them so much i put them on a shirt.  i saw zakayo, my favorite kid who's in the picture in my living room.  he speaks english now and he remembers me too.  of course, he's no longer attached me the way that he was before, but the fact that he remembers is enough. 

we sat there singing in the dark for a long time until the kids were practically falling asleep, and then they finally got to eat dinner in the pitch black dark.  i've decided that eating is one thing that kenyans do really fast (as do i).  popo and i waited b/c agnus served us food in her house.  i always feel bad knowing that people are sharing the little that they have.  we sat and talked with her for a while.  i don't completely trust this lady b/c of things that happened the last time i was here, and she spent considerable time mentioning about how they needed help there with food and sending kids to school.  i actually would be happy to help but i know it would have to be by directly bringing food there or something not in the form of cash.  i hate that helping is so complicated b/c of trust issues.  at one point she said, "so what are you going to do for us?"  and i said, "I'll be praying for you." popo said that he laughed inside when i said it.  shortly after popo decided he was going to sleep and he left me there with agatha.  i was a little scared b/c it was so dark, and i had no idea where i would be sleeping.  it ended up that i shared a bed with agatha, which was funny.  i mean i have no problem sharing beds, but it was funny that it was her.  she had all these dolls and stuffed animals lining the bed that she removed for me, and she put so many blankets on the bed.  she then left, and i was confused if she was coming back.  the ceiling was vaulted and tall and teachers were in the other rooms laughing and yelling at agatha to make the other go away.  the sound was carrying everywhere, and i wasn't sure if i would be able to sleep.  agatha came back in and put up a mosquito net, which just ended up falling all over my face.  i got so hot and sweaty at night (it's much warmer than nairobi), but i was afraid to take off my jacket b/c i heard mosquitos and i'm not sure if it's a high risk area for malaria or not (and i'm not taking any medicine).  but no worries, i don't think i got any bites.  all night i woke up as agatha came in and out (yes she did sleep there eventually) or the net fell in my face.  at one point i had to go the bathroom but i knew i couldn't get up (the bathroom was an outhouse and i had gone there earlier in the dark with a kerosene lantern).  i was sleeping against a wall too, so i felt a little trapped in a cocoon.  agatha and the kids get up very early.  it was still dark out, so i think it was about 5 a.m.  when i woke up there were about 4 kids in the room making tea on a gas burner, agatha was changing, and everyone was talking loudly.  i stayed there for a while not knowing what to do.  eventually i got up and asked for some water to wash my face.  they were going to boil it so it would be warm, but i told them i was fine. 

we ate breakfast, chai and bread with honey from nearby, and then went to play with the kids.  popo and i brought lots of puppets and did a skit about jesus calling his disciples and telling them to be fishers of me.  the kids loved the puppets.  we sang songs and then passed out markers and construction paper and had them write down ways they can follow Jesus.  they all wrote lots and drew and enjoyed themselves.  i took the older kids and broke out the modeling clay for them to make pendants.  they really liked this, more so than the juvenile boys i think.  we came back together later for more games and singing and prayer.  this was such an uplifting joyous day to my heart.  I am so blessed that God allowed me to go back there.  i love that these kids are so happy even though they have little (one nice thing is that someone had just provided new shoes for all of them, but their clothes are pretty basic and worn).  and i forgot to mention that the night sky there is incredible.  i'm pretty sure that i could see more stars there than anywhere else i've ever been in my life.  it was beautiful. 

please continue praying for peter in the hospital.  this situation has become a disaster because of communication problems.  we hope that he's improving, but i'm having trouble getting clear answers. i don't want to write much or i'll get mad, so let me stop there.  also continue praying for my health; i walk around coughing all day.

i was able to see dottie on sunday and make chapati with her.  it was great reconnecting.

and a funny endnote: before ash left last week she got out her packet of info from the doctor about kenya, the health risks, transportation, climate, etc.  there was all sorts of comments about the matatus being unsafe and there not being an official bus system and health risks and not eating fruit unless you peel it, etc.  she started reading some of this stuff out loud and alex couldn't believe it.  he thought everything was very exaggerated and far fetched.  and it's funny b/c it's a pretty accurate description really.  he said something about probably no one wanting to come here b/c of this information ( and then the next day something happen and he said, "it is true what they wrote.")  one part said that approx 10 vehicles are hijacked everyday.  and alex said, "do you have a car? NO, so you don't need to worry about it"  anyway, we were laughing in good fun about it and because we broke all those rules on day 1 :)