Today has been an extremely emotional day for all of us on the team. We had our second backpack ceremony this afternoon. Some of us went to a very rural part outside of Nairobi, while the others stayed at FOCUS to complete the work projects. Rairu is a very poor community nearby a coffee field. Most of the parents of the children that get to attend school work in the coffee fields and are barely able to provide for their families. There were five schools represented today, the most vulnerable and needy of the kids getting to receive backpacks with school supplies. When we arrived, they were all seated in a field, listening to Charles tell stories. He works for FOCUS and is great with the kids!
As I looked around the crowd of students, I was blown away by the poverty. There was not one child whose uniform didn't have rips and tears in them...and when I say rips and tears, I'm not talking about a seam that may have been stretched a little too far that needed mending. I looked at their clothing and knew that no one that I knew back home would allow their kids to wear the same clothing. Sweaters were shredded, pants had gaping holes in them, shoes wear literally falling apart. A few brought with them water bottles filled with drinking water...muddy, brown water. They didn't even have access to clean drinking water. My heart was broken for all of them and those throughout the rest of the world that they represented to me today.
We split the kids up into their schools and one by one we called out the names of the kids who would get a backpack. One by one, I was able to put a brand new backpack full of school supplies that will last them up to 1.5 years of school. One by one, I saw the hope and joy on their faces as they received the gifts we gave. Nothing that we could have done for them today could have meant more to them than that. We were giving them resources they need to study and work hard. We were giving them a chance at a future that is better than the present they now know. After they had received the backpacks, we served them lunch. Bread and juice. For us, that may seem minimalistic, but I heard stories from other team members that the kids were putting bread in their backpacks to take home to their families. It meant so much to them!
We then went back to FOCUS. Our last day to play with the kids and love on them. We were anticipating having to say goodbye to them all day, which did not make it any easier. Bit by bit, they wandered their way in after school let out. They'd get their after school snack and find their Mzungu (white person). Mary, the little girl I had bonded with, came to sit with me. It was hard to hold her hand and hug her, thinking it was the last day with her. When it was time to leave, we all gathered outside the gate in a circle. Mobs thanked us for the impact we made on the children and that's when the tears started. I couldn't look down at Mary or I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back the floodgates. I could see her looking up at me several times but I still couldn't do it. How do I tell her that our very short time would come to an end? How do I explain that I'm leaving her? I still don't know. I hugged her close and told her I'd miss her. I looked at her and saw tears welling up in her eyes. I held her close again and told her, "Naku penda." I love you in Swahili. She let go of me to get a handkerchief because she started crying as well. I looked around to see most of our team in tears having to say goodbye to these precious children. I will leave tomorrow having questions...
What more can I do? How can I become more involved? How can I make more of an impact? I never asked, why was I born into the life I have or why am I the one blessed with more than I can imagine? I know why I was born into an American family who isn't in desperate need of these things. God placed me where I am so that I can do more. He has given me resources so that I can give and make a difference in the lives of these kids. I can't wait to get back home to start contributing.
PS- Mallory, Jameson loves you with all of his being and misses you greatly!!
Was it Charles Mwangi telling stories? If so, could you give him a personal hi and hug on my behalf? :-)
ReplyDeleteOh - and you don't have to hug him, Amy... Jamison can do it for me. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your experiences. The LORD has used you all to do a mighty work for HIM. Thank you for answering the call. Your lives will be changed but so will the lives of the children you ministered to. Can't wait to see you Saturday. We Love You.
ReplyDeleteThe Wotens