From: Matt Seadore - Kenya Team, 07/26/10

Matt plays with elementary students in Kibera

The faces of hope that live in the slums of Nairobi


We have been in Kenya for almost two weeks. We have taken in so much that it is hard to synthesize all that we have seen, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt. What seems to stand out the most to me are singular words that capture the spirit of what I have seen in Kenya.
Joy-- It is unmistakeable as you interact with the kids at Raila Educational Centre in the slums of Kibera that these children have
joy. They are happy, well fed, and excited to take life head on.
Many of them, because of the love and meals provided by First Love, feel empowered to reach for higher things after graduating from school.
Perseverance-- This is what I see in the eyes of the women who are part of the Baraka Women's Centre. Many of these women come from painfully difficult circumstances. They are single mothers, AIDS carriers, and sole providers. They also know Jesus in a way that feels much more personal than the way that I experience Him. They have this real time trust in Jesus that He really will provide their daily bread. They wake up each day in a 10' by 12' home, with no running water, and no electricity. They care for their children, spend time with the Father, and create handmade purses, fireless cookers, and aprons in an attempt to better their lives. Their dreams aren't about moving out of Kibera, or saving for retirement but that their kids might be able to get an education which may enable them to escape the stranglehold of poverty.
Tragedy-- Monica is a 19 year old girl who was waiting to sit for exams to graduate from high school at Raila. She was going to be the first girl from her village upcountry to ever graduate high school. A few weeks ago Monica became very ill. Irene, who leads First Love alongside her husband Chris Okuna, was concerned, so she went out and paid a visit to her home. Irene is not a trained doctor but it was obvious to her that Monica was suffering from TB. She advised
Monica's father to take her to a clinic where she could be treated.
He resisted as he was fearful of the financial repercussions even though Irene assured him that treatment for TB is free. He decided to wait it out. He waited for a week and then finally took her to the hospital. Sadly for Monica it was too late. She died 48 hours later. Now Irene and First Love are helping to pay for her burial and are grieving that Monica's life was cut short needlessly.
In the slums of Nairobi one can encounter joy, perseverance and tragedy each and every day. A lyric from a worship song has been rolling around in my head lately; "shine your light and let the whole world see, we're living for the glory of the risen king." It has been a huge honor for us to walk alongside First Love for the past two weeks. They truly are a shining light in the darkness, and while there are tragic days, the dark does not overcome them.
There is one more word that I want to share with you and that is a word that defines what our team is going through right now.
Transition- Tonight, Dustin, Michelle and Lorna will board a plane and
return home. Pray for them as they re-enter day to day life at home.
Pray that they will have time and space to process what they have
experienced and that they would be alert to what God is asking them.
Jordan and Kevin are entering a new chapter of their journey. They will stay on with First Love for the next three weeks. Their days will be spent in Kibera and at the orphanage in Karen. Pray that they will have continued health and that they will not be afraid as they enter this new chapter. Finally my day to day interactions will be changing as well. Tomorrow I will begin a week of engagement with Mavuno Downtown (our partner church in Nairobi). I will attend staff meetings, meet with different pastoral staff, attend Karimi Rumbui's
wedding, and lead worship this weekend. I will be "on the move."
Pray that I would be able to stay fully engaged this week, that I would listen well, and that my heart would be open to what God has for me.
Thanks for your prayers throughout our time in Kenya!

Matt