Kawangware

Yesterday we went to the slum areas in Nairobi for the first time. We went to a church called Kawangware Lutheran Church, where they had a presentation of their work for us. They told us about their youth ministries, their rehabilitations program, nursery school and their HIV\AIDS program. It was very interesting. But nothing compare to meeting all the kids there. They were smiling and wanted to play with us all the time. Even when we were in church, they wanted to sit on our laps. It’s hard to think about their past and future. These are kids with little hope in a big city, where there are lots of homeless people. Nairobi is a city with big differences. You can drive 5min from the slum areas, and you’ll find luxurious houses with big fences. They even put broken glass and lots of electricity to protect their property. Im sure it’s necessary, because everyone would try to get in if not.


But back to the Kawangware slum, we were visiting and were supposed to eat with them…We had decided to give them a meal as a thank you for letting us come. But we were so confused when it was time for lunch. They had made a super nice delicious meal for us, with white tablecloths and really nice food. And there we were, supposed to help the poor and share and play with them. But instead they made the best food they could provide for us. It shows us a whole lot about African culture and kindness. Even when they don’t have anything at all, they share whatever they can. It made us feel bad, but we had to eat, or else they would be very disappointed and offended. But it made us all think about the big differences in this world. We rich people are sitting there eating from an almost royal table, while the children right outside the door are looking in with a hungry look. Oh, how I wish I could have gone out there picked up a child and let that girl or boy, take my seat at that table.


But at least we got to play a lot with the kids. And I think that made their day. We also sang some songs for them… And the different groups in the church were singing for us.

There was also a very special case at the church. A older sister came running with her baby sibling. This baby was very sick because of AIDS, and the parents didn’t see the needs of baptizing the infant. So because this baby was dying, they baptized her in the name God Almighty, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Even though we saw a lot of bad things today, we saw that it really helps. This church is doing a lot for the orphans, youths and HIV affected people in this area. Jesus is there for everyone, and he is their only hope. I read this verse for the kids in church today, and I think it’s a very important verse.

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the small children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matt 19,13-14.

I hope and pray that we can be a tool to bring kids and grown ups around the world closer to him, and that we are not rebuking them because of our wealth and their poorness.