South B Slum

We arrived in Kenya Tuesday June 2nd. I was sick for two days with jet lag and unable to get out of bed. The elevation is also 8,000 feet higher also we forgot to drink water which made Brandon and I dehydrated. I also lost my luggage. But everything turned out fine Brandon and I feel better and my bag was found. Today we got to meet Pastor Edward who is in charge of the City Harvest Ministries. He has started many programs such as Micro Financing, an HIV/AIDs clinic, education programs, and so much more. He told us his amazing story on how he answered God's call and to spread his word. His life's story has been amazing and inspiring. At first he doubted himself. He said that he kept on praying and God told him that he was meant to preach the gospel. He ran into a problem- no speakers. He kept praying and praying and then a voice told him to sell his family car. How can he tell his wife? This is the car that takes him to work, his wife to work, and his daughter to school. He was sleepless for 3 months. Finally he worked up the courage to tell his wife. She said okay without a word. He said he was in shock that she was so calm! When he finally got the speakers he needed to take the next step and tell his CEO. He was just a Pastor's assistant however, this is what he felt he needed to do. Well his CEO came in and asked him what the big boxes and his office were for. Edward told him they were speakers and what they were for. His CEO said he wanted to pray for him. After about 3 months the Pastor realized he now needed a car to get around. One day he recieved a phone call that a return missionary set aside some money for Pastor Edward to buy a car. He got a car and started his journey. People would walk hours around the surrounding city just to hear him preach. Pretty soon people around the country would request that he would come and visit him. He has done a lot for Kenya.

After visiting with the Pastor, his receptionist Cynthia took us to Taidy's to have lunch. It was pretty good, they had hamburgers, fish, sandwiches. Nothing compared to good old American food haha. Afterwards we went to the South B slums. I have never seen such extreme poverty in my life. They have these shacks made out of tin and use a piece of cloth for doors. Little children walk around everywhere, even pee in the streets. They sit in front of the shacks and sell fruits, meat, clothes, shoes- anything they can to survive. We visited the beauty school that City Harvest micro finances.It is basically 3 small closet- sized rooms without electricity pushed togther. The girls are about 18-24 years old, my age range. They braided our hair. They are very sweet and told us to come back and they will give us braids, corn rolls- anything we want.

After this experience I felt sadness. They do not look sad because this is their home, this is what they are use to. However- just because they are use to these conditions it does not make it right. I realized I take everything for granted- water, food, shelter, family, and friends. We are so lucky to live in America with so many resources and options. We should all try to make a difference and help people in poverty because it is the right thing to do.