Changing Lives in Kenya: Living on the Street

It went like this: Friday morning 4 am, we have a few friends from our orphanage come and help make 3 big buckets of tea. We then take 80 bananas, 30 loaves of bread, butter and jam and head to the streets of Nairobi to gather the street kids for breakfast! The sun had not yet began to show its glorious warm rays as we took to the streets to wake the kids. At first I couldn't see them, then I saw their little heads poke out of the trash that surrounded the side of the road! Many of them had only a burlap sack to sleep in, if they were lucky an old ragged blanket. I was stunned when the first boy slid out of this garbage-bag bed and rubbed his tired eyes. He couldn't have been older than my youngest brother Daniel. The tears got caught somewhere in my dry throat. They didn't begin sliding, unseen, down my cheek until I woke up a Mother and her baby girl huddled against a brick wall for warmth. I had to quickly pull myself together and head back to the meeting place, where the girls had the food and tea ready to distribute! One by one they all came trickling in, clothed in their uniquely stylish grubby clothes, hands shaking with the bitter chill of morning and smiles covering their faces! (As a side note, I find it extremely motivating to always see these Kenyans in such horrible conditions with warm smiles on their faces. It as if they know as long as the smile stays on their face they can make it through whatever life deals them! We can all learn a lesson from them!) The steam rose as Alexis and I poured freash hot tea, filling and refilling their cups with their sweet invigorating liquid of life. Laughter and thanks from Men, Women, and Kids of all ages soon filled the air with happiness. Kids would eat half their sandwiches and then stuff the rest into their dirty pant pockets for later! Some found empty bottles in the butter and poured tea to save. Honestly it is difficult to describe my feelings...happy to be able to help and give to those in such need, Sad for the kids who are left by family on the street to survive by themselves, Motivated to work hard and continually give to those in greater need than I, hopeful for these kids to still have a good future, and mostly just grateful to know that the God in heaven is watching over all of his children and providing for them!

How often do you take the time to thank God that you have a house? or a job, or a family? One boy that I meet told me he thanks God everyday when he wakes up because he has a chance to find food for him and his little brother. He was 12 years old and not only had to provide for himself but for his younger brother. I looked into his eyes and saw intense pride and lasting hope. 12 years old and this boy had faced the wrath of the world that most of us only see in our worst night mares! What do you say to a kid that tells you his family couldn't take care of him and put him on the street to survive? What do you tell a 22 year old boy, that has lived more than half his life on the street, "somehow, someway, sometime" he will come and live with me in America and all his worries will be gone? What do you do when all the food and tea has ran out and a little girl comes up and desperately asks for more? My mouth couldn't spit out any words, my mind was at an absolute blank. Instead I warped each in my arms and silently prayed with all my heart that one day they could feel the joy life has to offer.

I know that I have said, "this is an unforgettable experience! " at least 100 times but this time I pray that I will never forget this experience, any of it, the smell of their dirty clothes, the feel of their rough hands on mine, the smiles on their worn-out faces, and the way they tried to walk with dignity and pride.

I Want to give a special thanks to the three coolest Germans Maika, Mara and Tobias for helping organize this life changing event and inviting me to join in with them! They are incredible!!!

"How many more loafs do we have left?" "maybe like 15! Keep working!"

This picture not only shows off our hard work but my brand new hair cut! Don't you love it? We can play Tic Tac Toe any time we want...on my head! Atleast all the Kenyans love it and think I am some famous person! ha ha Gotta love Kenyan Style!

Our Good friends from the orphanage, mwaniki and Gabu spent all night boiling water and milk for the tea! They both use to live on the street and showed me where they use to sleep!