Desi

Kenya is a beautiful place my friends. I arrived here safely and can say that these two days have been packed full of awesome times and new experiences in the Lord. One of the opportunities I had was to visit the second largest slum in Kenya, Mathare Valley, yesterday. Words cannot describe what I experienced there however I am going to try to paint a picture of an interaction I had that changed my life. Amongst the abject poverty, there is a daycare where children can be dropped off if a parent wishes to leave the slum to go into the city and look for a job. The kids in this daycare and malnourished, abused, and most likely live in a single mother home. When I walked in there for the second time that day, a girl walked up to me, arms extended, just wanting to be picked up and held. Desi was her name. She was cross-eyed, couldn't really speak, and to the best of my knowledge had some sort of mental handicap. The only thing I had to offer her was a simple touch of love, a time to hold her and hug her. Walking around the daycare, Desi in my arms, I prayed blessings over her. Her hugs went straight to the soul. She wrapped herself so tight around my arms indicating she never wanted to let go. After 30 minutes I had to leave and when I put her down she reached back up, wanted to be hugged for just a while longer. Instead she had to return to a world where the hug of an American stranger is the only comfort she ever finds. My body and my spirit have cried many times for Desi as I try to understand her plight. I will always remember her smile and laughter that day that I held her. I will always pray and remember this beautiful child the Lord used to change my life. Sometimes 30 minutes in Africa is all it takes.

I will likely only be able to have internet access about 4 more times so updates may be few and far between. There is much more to write about. I love this place and love you all. See you soon!