Today was a really hard day. I'm still trying to wrap my heart around all I saw today. We left the compound early so we could drive to the Kibera WEEP Center before heading to Gnong for the Women's Conference.
Kibera is the largest and worst slum in Kenya located along a dump. When we pulled into the main road which was dirt, we were surrounded by old, dilapidated, filthy tin shacks used for businesses. The streets were lined with garbage, sewage and people were crowding every nook. The road to the WEEP Center was too difficult for the bus to drive down, so we were dropped off and had to walk about a half mile through utter filth, garbage and sewage. People were trying to run businesses by selling food they were cooking on open fires on the road. They were trying to sell vegetables that were probably grown in the rotten soil. They were trying to sell coal. Children were everywhere wearing flip flops in the sewage. I even saw a couple that were barefoot. Chickens lined the road drinking the sewage water and people were selling their eggs. In broad daylight, it was full of darkness -sadness. I'm assuming that everyone was out on the roads because they probably don't have electricity. They don't have running water -what water there is, is contaminated. There were a lot of dogs that laid hopeless. They weren't interested in people, they didn't wag their tails or try to greet you. They just laid there -sad and hungry. The smells were so strong, we had to rub mentholatum under our noses so we wouldn't get sick. I've seen poverty before, but never, ever have I seen it to this degree. This was the worst I have ever experienced. my heart is broken.
We spent about an hour at the WEEP Center. We were greeted by the ladies who sang for us and invited us to dance with them. They were so happy for us to visit them. They were happy that we thought they were valuable enough to come spend time with them. They had been abandoned by family and cast out by their society because they have AIDS. They are fighting to overcome the stigma that follows them. It was our intention to bring them encouragement and tell them how proud we were of how far they have come in the program. Instead, they encouraged us. They welcomed us with hugs, song and dance. What a powerful statement of their faith. They live in the worst possible conditions I have ever seen -they have stronger faith than I do and I have everything I could possibly need.
We trekked up the steep road back to the bus. I couldn't get on it fast enough. I was done. From there we drove to Gnong for a women's conference we wanted to put on for the ladies at that WEEP Center. We had prepared goodie bags and four women from our team gave talks to teach and inspire them. They graciously served us lunch. At the end, they cheered when seeing the contents of the goodie bags -sunglasses, candy, devotional book, handmade necklaces, bookmarks, perfume... Little things that made them smile -they are not used to receiving gifts. The four speakers were amazing and one woman accepted Christ after hearing one of the talks. What an inspiring time. I truly hope we left them feeling valued and loved.
When it was all over, once again, I couldn't get on the bus fast enough. I was sad to leave the ladies behind but I had seen enough. What am I supposed to do with everything I've seen and experienced? How can I go home and get back to "normal" now that I know what is going on in Kenya? What can I do differently at home?
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