humbling experinces and sad times

This last week has been crazy, busy, and sad. Two of the guys that work with the church that is partnered with Happy Life and come by the home often so therefore I have made good friends with wanted to show me their areas of town and where they live before I headed back. I had been to the general area of both their town as they are very close to HL but it was very cool to be really in it with people that know it well. Both of these guys are amazing people and these two afternoons were very humbling experiences for me. Both of the guys have lost more than one immediate family member and are living on their own now and making the most of what their life has given them. On Tuesday John took me to Githeri 45 which is his town. He showed me the church that works with HL and also where his grandmother lives who he grew up with. She lives in a compound where there are 5 or 6 one room homes. The place she lives in literally the size of my bedroom and it is her kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc. The water and toilet facilities are outside and all living in the compound share. When John was growing up him and her shared this room. She was a wonderful women and bless her heart spoke no English so he had to translate for us. On Thursday George took me to Kasarani to where he resides. He also lives in a one room home but it is the modern form as it is in an apartment complex above some shops and he has his own bathroom in there as well. Him and I had a great conversation about life and comparing Kenya to America. It was so refreshing to meet someone that loves his country and has no desire to move to America. He really appreciates what he has and doesn't desire a different life. Visiting both of these places reassured me at how wasteful and excessive we as Americans are. People always want bigger and 'better' when what they have is already more than they need. We need to appreciate the blessings we have in our life and be happy with what we have. The past two days at my house we have been without power because the city shut it off (still not sure why) but hey we're still living! Think about back home when the power goes off and immediately people call the company and keep pestering them until it goes back on which usually takes what, an hour? Sorry- I'll step off my soap box, again!

On Wednesday morning the little girl I live with, Glory who is 5, graduated from pre-unit in her school which is the last of the three pre-primary classes and therefore she will start primary school in January. They incorporated a graduation program for these students as well as the end of the year program with all students for parents and friends to come and see. Myself and another volunteer, Flo, went to this along with her mother and sister. The kids sang songs, recited bible verses, did skits, etc. It was really nice and I am glad we got to be a part of it. They even fed everyone lunch after and it was a lot of Kenyan food I love and really good! Flo and I being two of the only three mzungu there did our picture taken by people (including the main school photographer) who thought they were sly and we wouldn't notice- but we did!

As for Happy Life we have had a few rough days. Emma has now tested positive for malaria. A few others are running high fevers and will probably get checked out. When I got to HL Wednesday afternoon I received some very sad news. Rhema passed away early in the morning and Chris is now in the hospital with TB. The staff was all very upset this day and emotions were running high with everything. You can really tell these women treat these children as their own when you see how hurt they all were by these pieces of news. Please continue to keep these kiddies in your prayers as I do no feel the sickness are gone from them all yet.

Yesterday Nancy turned one year old so the other volunteers and I took all the older babies out and 'had a birthday party for her.' This really consisted of just play time out of the crib but hey it was fun to honor her birthday! This morning I helped to take 12 of the little babies to the clinic for their shots. Imagine this- 5 people and a driver taking 12 babies in the van to the clinic. It was a bit crazy and so would not be considered safe in America! To end on a happy note- Mark who is 4 or 5 is getting adopted! This makes me very happy because he is one that takes a little while to warm up to people and therefore has been over-looked by families in the past. I met his soon to be mother and aunt today and they seem lovely! Yay for another Kenyan family adopting!