Kenya is amazing! It's the people!
Jesus made them so lovely, with generous hearts. I got to know so many highschool students all in the last few days, from 15 – 20 years old. They all crowded around me, asking so many questions, wanting to know about the US, China, every little detail about me. They asked me difficult and somewhat obsurd questions like:
"How do you find the infrastructure of Kenya in comparison to the US?"
"What do you know about the Illuminati?"
"Do you have Chinese boys you can introduce us to?"
Those questions make me chuckle. They are beautifully curious.
The ones without sight even touched me, my hair my face, the hallow part of my eyes, even my toes. They made me feel known and feel special.
At chapel, we were all moved by the sounds of their voices singing in Swahili. The song Michelle led called: "Hakuna Mungu Kama We We", which I first learned in Urbana 2009 (Go Intervarsity campus ministry!), turned majestic and powerful once the kids started joining in. I just can't get over how much they want to share who they are with me – so readily.
Wilson, an eager 17 year old who talks a mile a minute about anything and everything from his dreams of being a Red Cross relief worker to informing us about Kenay's fourth and newest president. Gladys, who chose me from the moment she greeted me and always saught me out and invited me to sit with her for every meal. John, whose bright eyes and distinct dimples made me say "Jambo" to him right away, he shared that he wanted to learn German and become an electrical engineer. He is one of a group of students whose eye sight is functional (but could be deteriorating). They have big dreams, these teenagers, some of them want to be doctors, lawyers, journalists, business administrators,while others dream of traveling the world and exploring far away places. At chapel I shared my testimony of how God answered my dreams as a child, being in China and reading books on Chinatown San Francisco and Venice Italy, and how years later, he fulfilled my dream of wanting to visit (even live) in these places plus many others. I encouraged them to DREAM BIG because they are sons and daughters loved by their Father, the King, and Creator of the universe.
The ones that have full vision are also admitted to this national high school because they call the school "fully integrated" where nonblind and non-visually impaired can also attend so they're able to help the disabled kids by reading to them, ghuiding them around and assisting them in other areas.
"I came to this school not knowing much about the visually impaired but I slowly learned that they can do just about anything I can do. They wash their own clothes, and do their own chores. I am the one that is learning alot from them." says John.
Yesterday, the girls beckoned me to go to the field where the boys are playing soccer, and they ended up singing for me- see a video below. Their favorite things to ask us to do is to sing and dance for them. I am in awe of the way they turn their soft spoken voices into strong and powerful singing voices. How do they project such beautiful sounds into the air?
Especially those that are visually impaired, all their other sense are heightened as their sights are weakened. Their hearing, voice, touch (sensitivity on their fingers are much higher), and smell, which they can guess who's who based on their scents (I better try to smell good this month!).
Here's a video of the girls, Gladys, Doreen, Maureen, etc. singing "Hakuna Mungu Kama We We" to me!
*This month is Month 8 on my race! Woohoo! My team, Daughters of Zion and I are serving a Thika School for the Blind. The last few days we helped built a greenhouse for sustainable living so they can eat their own tomatoes and other veggies. We are also loving spending time with the highschoolers and primary schoolers, learning how to type in braille, sing in Swahili, and tell them about the country we come from. I think I want to adopt an African baby or two, they are really beautiful and they love to be held, tickled, and played with.
Please pray that we will make a difference in the next two weeks even after the kids leave for a break, we can still minister to the teachers, the other kids remaining and whatever else God has for us to do. Pray that I'll be able to feel good and relate to my 20something teammates. They are awesome but I just need a little 30something company these days. Also pray that there are funds coming in for them as the financial need is great. If you want to donate to the Thika School for the Blind of the Salvation Army, please let me know!
