Tuesday in Kenya

Experience from Tuesday.

It was a good day learning more about Panua. Today we went to Karagita depending on who you ask it is one of the large slums in Kenya, some of our leaders said, "No, there are only 800,000 people living there." The poverty can be overwhelming at times. I warn you that the photo of the little girl is hard to see online, it was even harder in person. It is also challenging with some of the smells that come from waste human and animal. The joy of the people is infectious. Their excitement of having you in their place of business and then inviting you into their homes brings me hope.

I was very impressed with 3 young leaders today who are part of the Panua program. They are completing the course in September this year and are well on their way to success. They have discovered hope and are living out I Peter 1:3 "He has given us a new birth into the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." They know what it means to say I was dead but I am now alive. The old has gone and the new has come. Stephen has a tomato selling business where he has turned a huge profit every week. It is a lot of hard work, but he is well on his way. He is hoping to take it to the next step as he wants to buy a processor so when tomatoes go bad he can make sauce. Bernard received 10 chickens and today we saw his flock of over 30 which he sold 10 to another Panua kid to begin his business. My favorite was Lily. She started her own cafe. She even hooked up a beat up tv to the wall so customers could watch sports or shows as they eat. She has brought on two other girls to help her. She is looking to expand her business. Great story. I made sure I had some of her greens and ugali (not sure how to spell it, but it was like a cornbread). So great to see how this program has transformed their lives.

Another highlight for me today was worshiping in Sanctuary UMC. It was cramped, dirt floor, poor ventilation, but what a great spirit. More than that we got to walk to their property for a new site. It is 50 by 100, which cost them $600 and they will finish the building for around $7000 US. It's a little different construction over here. As a new church pastor it warmed my heart to see how excited they were to have their own property, in a good location and ready to build.

What was humbling today is having Bernard want to welcome us to his home. He was so proud of it. Made me realize I cannot complain when my toilet runs, my ac acts up, or I whine about the dry spots in the yard.

Some other things from the day that were great.
1. We ate lunch where I got Kenyan BBQ. It wasn't 4 Rivers but it was good.
2. Roy Terry had to sing for the group, and forgot the lyrics, created new ones to "This is the air I breathe." Please look for The Holy Moly Band Africa Tour, "This is the Hair I weave" coming to a town near you. All proceeds go to Panua.
3. I am amazed at how much fun you can have with a old golf ball and 5 little boys. Sheer joy and laughter. Also, "Give me five, up high, down low, too slow!" Brings a lot of screams. I also had to teach them "Peace Out."
4. Susie finally diagnosed one of my "issues" correctly. I have FOMO: fear of missing out. I have to be with the group, and I sure can't wait to get out of the Land Rover to see what is happening. So true.

5. I may have told our driver, George, that I could take a water buffalo. It can't be any different than taking down a calf at Bullock Farms. He disagreed. I sense a new experience coming on Thursday.
6. When I got back to the hotel they had done my laundry since I had left it on the floor under the desk. Nice!
All in all it was a good day.

Peace out!