My return to Jesus Helpers!

The reason why this post has taken so long...over 2 weeks...is that it is hard to write. Hard to express what happened.  How do I sum up a life-changing moment for over 35 people’s lives? I guess I will just write how it went. This is the story of what happened when I first returned to Jesus Helpers!

I left my house before 7:30am and walked up the UNEP road which took about 35 minutes. I got the usual jostling by the matatu conductors, trying to hustle me into their matatu (small 14 person minivan). After choosing one it took about 30 minutes to reach Nairobi central. I hopped out and walked my way through the streets. I needed to print something off for Jesus Helpers, but my usual computer shop, where I have a friend Jacqui, was not open. I walked around and found another net cafe to use. I printed my things, bought some food from the shops and then headed to where the number 30 matatu goes from. It was a busy walk, Nairobi was particularly busy this morning. I waited...I waited...I waited. Matatus were screeching to a hault and yelling out in a variety of languages how much the fare was and where they were going. I picked out the sheng...in that most were going to ‘Westy’ (a place called westlands) for ‘bau’(20shillings). As I waited I had 2 male taxi drivers trying to get me into their cab by smiling, yelling, asking me where I was going. I ignored them. NO number 30 matatus at all! And hundreds of people, me being the only mzungu (white person) in the crowd. So. I decided to walk back and forth between another matatu stop and the regular one. I did this for almost 40 minutes and it was HOT. NO matatus. I had almost given up hope and thought I would just hire a taxi when along screeched a number 30. Finally. I hopped in and was charged Kenyan rate!!! Usually they tell me a mzungu price. I was excited for immediate honesty! J

The people who hopped in around me were all trendy Kenyans, looking as if they were going shopping or to a party or university classes. As we started off the usual stopping a starting of the matatu began. Letting people out and in. I was heading to a matatu stage called ‘87’. It is basically just a place on the side of the highway that most people know as 87. It is about a 35-40minute ride. As we were getting closer and closer all of the trendy young Kenyans hopped out and in hopped a whole matatu filled with cucus (grandmothers) with all of their vegetables for sale at the markets. They had giant, colourful bags that they carry on their heads, filled with maize and other things. I was hastily told to ‘songa’ (squeeze together) so that more and more people could crowd in. I knew this was going to be a problem as I had to get out in a minute! So...as 87 approached I tapped the conductor on the shoulder and said ’87 tafadhali’ (please). He smiled. As we pulled up I began to try to get my bags ready to get out as quickly as possible. As I hopped out of the matatu there was an open oil can filled with petrol that tipped all over my legs. FUN. SO I said ‘pole sana’ (sooo sorry) about 10 times before the matatu pulled off into a distance, leaving behind a cloud of dust and a strong smell of petrol. I then looked down at my petrol-covered legs and prayed that there was no one around me smoking! J And off I set. As my legs were wet with petrol it took less than 2 minutes for my entire legs to be the shade of African red dust. It was wonderful.

I then had to make my way across the highway, between the pylons of concrete.  Off I went. After I crossed the road I called Pastor Steven to tell him I had arrived. He told me that the children were on their way to meet me. I began the walk back through the village. It was so nice to be able to say my Kikuyu greetings as I walked back. As I continued walking, I was half expecting to see the children running down the road to meet me. But I didn’t see anyone. I stopped to buy bananas along the way, and still no children. I turned the corner and no kids. It is about a 30-40 minute walk from the highway to the home. As I rounded the last corner before the home there they were. Four of the bigger girls and my Moses. They ran as fast as they could and jumped into my arms. It was magical. One of the girls screamed in Kikuyu at Moses and said ‘Sarah is back’. He started running too. It was so precious. I picked him up and everything was ok again. It turns out that Pastor Steven had sent the children to meet me at another matatu stop (which I’d never been to before?)..so they were waiting there for me.

After this I went in and greeted all the children. I instantly had about 30 children surrounding me, telling me their news and how they were and what grade they were now in. They walked me in to Pastor Steven and I was able to greet him. It was so wonderful to see them all again. Not much had changed in the compound. They have built a few cages where they are keeping rabbits and hens, but that was the only difference.

I then gave them a gift of solar-powered torches which Ed and Linda Lunney (friends from Quilpie) were able to buy for the kids! Thanks! They loved them! I also gave them some balloons and bubbles which they screamed with excitement about. The simple things really! I hugged, played, sang songs and then the usual hair-braiding began. The girls touched my hair over and over again. It was special. The whole time, Moses clung to my hand and cuddled me and said “We Muthaka muno, muno”  (You are so, so beautiful). The first words I taught him last year. J I didn’t think he’d remember that..but he did. How my heart loves them all.

It was then time to sit down with Pastor Steven and Pastor Patrick to let them know about what Project 35 was able to raise for the home! It was so funny...I filmed the conversation and would love to be able to work out how to put it up for you to see. But basically, I wrote them a letter explaining that Project 35 raised money for their food and that there was enough money for 18months. They were SOOO, SOOO overjoyed. J Words can NOT describe the reaction at all. I explained a little bit about what I had been doing and then let them read the letter. They clapped for joy when they read the amount. Followed by a few...wow..wow...wow. God is Able.   YES. HE. IS!

After I explained that I would give them the money each month for the next 18 months they then wanted to tell the kids. I took some numbers on sheets of paper and wrote them individually. The total was almost 1 million Kenyan shillings. I then asked the children if they could work out what the number was. It took a while, but they realised after a little while how much it was. I don’t know if they really understood what was happening, but they were happy none-the-less. The whole orphanage then sang and sang and sang- songs of praise for how faithful their God is! What a blessing. They sang this song-

You are so faithful, so faithful, so faithful, you are so faithful, so faithful all the time. That’s why I praise you in the morning, that’s why I praise you in the noon time, that’s why I praise you in the evening, that’s why I praise you all the time.

What a blessing. For my African kids to sing these words with such gusto!  Our God is SO faithful. That I know. He provides, He loves and He cares...all the time. For these precious ones that He loves so dearly. For me, being able to be the one chosen to deliver the love and money of so many of you out there in Australia and elsewhere...is SUCH a blessing to my life. So Asante. The kids and the family of Jesus Helper’s are truly so touched and overwhelmed, just as I am. Baraka (Blessings).

I have learnt so much from my African brothers and sisters over the years. And I believe the words of Mother Teresa who said- “Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them”.  I can’t wait to be home in heaven...but there’s still a lot God has for me to do here first! J

Waithera...(with dusty feet again!!!)

Maybe...

His face was tough. I smiled. He looked briefly away. His face turned back to mine. I smiled again. This time he let his mouth briefly widen into a smile before he looked back towards the floor. I extended my arm and said “Wimwega? Witagwa atia?”  (Hi, how are you? What is your name?). He glanced at me, looked away and said nothing. I repeated my question. He smiled shyly outreached his hand to mine and said “Joseph”. I then introduced myself: “Thengui muno, Joseph, Jitagwa..Sarah Waithera” (Thank you so much, Jospeh- My name is Sarah Waithera)...to which his tiny little face broke into a rupture of laughter. A sense of achievement for me! To see this face and this child instantly change his mind about me. J The conversation then followed that I knew ‘Hanini Kikuyu’ (a little Kikuyu). The conversation was precious. I will never forget it...or that innocent little face.

I was fortunate enough to spend most of the day with Seth, a friend I met in 2011, at AFCIC- Action For Children in Conflict. This is a wonderful organisation running in Thika, caring for and advocating for the rights of street kids. They have a care centre in town, which children at counselled and rehabilitated as the social workers try to integrate the children back with their family members or another caregiver. There is also another place where children who are currently living on the streets are free to come during the day to wash their clothes, take a bath and eat some lunch. They also have classes which the children can attend to learn basic English, training programs and important life skills, such as an awareness of HIV and how one contracts it.

This day was so inspiring, and amazing to watch and listen to these boys as they spoke in Kikuyu. I understood parts of what they were saying and Seth was kind enough to fill me in on the parts which I missed. I watched as the staff had a meeting with the boys. Kids ranging between 7ish and 18ish. The meeting was to see where the boys were from and why they are on the streets. It was also a meeting to see how the centre could better support their lives. For once in their lives...I saw freedom in the faces of these boys. They were free to share their worries. Free to share their fears of the streets. Free to share their needs. Free to share what they know about life. What a blessing that is for these boys.

In Thika I see these kids often, in large groups congregating outside the supermarkets all over town. There are often too many kids to count. They are usually begging for food, or for a few shillings to buy their next fix of glue. They come right up to you and ask for what they need or want. After spending some more time with these kids today I know that I should indeed take a few minutes to talk more with them when I meet them on the streets and guide them to visit AFCIC for help. They are indeed just children. They are dirty, have scars and cuts, in torn clothes, shoe-less and are quite often under the influence of drugs or glue.  

I choose to look at these children as Jesus would. HIS. Loved- beyond measure and in need of care and protection. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” Mat 9: 36. It is a choice one can freely make. I am so grateful for organisations and people who are going the extra mile to show these kids that they are worthy. Worthy of a life better than that on the streets. I also think...what if that was me in that position? What would I want others to do for me?   

What a blessing it was as I shared a day outside in the sun and dust with these boys. Playing darts and soccer and them teasing me in Kikuyu. They have taught me a lot...even though they would have no idea of this. I see them...and all I can see are so many opportunities for their lives. Opportunities for them to choose life, to choose the right way and to choose to turn from the streets. I also see my ability to be an influence in their lives (however small that influence may be). At the end of the day I asked a boy- 18 years old what he wanted to be in life...He said “A doctor”. I told him that everything is possible, if he puts his mind to it. I shared that he would have to get off the streets and go back to school and study really hard for many years. He said ‘Maybe’...! My thought is that ‘maybe’ is better than ‘asha’ (no!). Maybe...just maybe he may treat me in years to come. I am praying for him and them all. As I go to bed tonight, I think of them, awake and constantly in fear for their safety on the streets of town. It’s a cold night. I hope they are warm and somewhere safe.

Catch-ups...

My heart is so warm. Just warm. J I am amazed that as I returned to Thika, a place where I lived last year for 3 months, people still remembered me. I walked past the shoe-shiners on the street- Uhoro Waithera!! (Hi, how are you Waithera?) To the people who work in the Leens supermarket- “I remember you...you’re the girl who speaks Kikuyu right?” To the motorbike rider who waits near where I used to live. To the friends I met at Qwetu, a restaurant, last year who welcomed me with hugs and kind greetings. To the motorbike hustlers near the Blue Post hotel- 'Waithera!!! Ngai! You’re back!' To the workers at the Jogoo hotel opposite where I lived, one whom even came over to my house to say welcome home one night! I felt very blessed to be able to stop and chat with these people.

Then there is Peris, Danny and John who work with African Children’s Fund. It was great to go and spend some time with them catching up on the goings on and hearing all about their opinions on the Kenyan elections next year.

Then there are my beautiful housemates from last year, Mary and Trizah! It was SO wonderful to spend a night with them, hanging out, being wazimu, dancing, laughing, eating matoke (Trizah’s specialty- like raw bananas, meat and potatoes) and catching up with all the gossip! It was like I had never left.

And last, and certainly far from least...my beautiful brother and sister- Francis and Lilian...AND their new baby girl Sarah (Who is DEVINE) :) Francis’s sister Lucy is also staying with them at the moment and it was wonderful to see her again too. I spent the week (apart from one night) with them. We hung out, went to the market together, ate food and sang songs. My favourite time was going to the marketplace in Thika with Lilian and baby Sarah. I had to carry Sarah on my back as Lilian is unable to do so yet, after her birth. We had to catch the matatu to town...It was a funny sight. Sarah on my back walking through Makongeni (where they live). I get looks usually being a mzungu, let-alone having a baby onboard. I approached the road and had to subtly flip Sarah from my back to my front in order to board the matatu. This was interesting/ funny! Haha. I was able to do it and Sarah was SO good all the way in the matatu, sitting on me. We then hopped out and I put her back on my back. We went to my favourite market looking for Kanga material (brightly coloured cloth) to decorate my classroom with. It was so funny to see the shop-keepers reactions to a mzungu carrying a baby on her back. It was a great trip and I was able to choose several kangas and barter them down to a fair price. I know that they don’t know it...but I have learnt so much from Francis and Lilian. They are very dear to my heart...and am happy that the new super-highway makes the journey to visit them just a bit shorter.

I'm back...

From the sights to the smells to the smiles...it was all the same. As I touched down in Nairobi after my adventures in Sydney, China, L.A, Atlanta, Buffalo, Canada, Chicago and London. I was greeted, as usual, by smiles as wide as the planet. White teeth set above deep, rich faces in the night. I approached customs and the usual greeting of Habari? Mzuri? (Hi how are you?, I’m fine) began. The man at the counter then started speaking in Swahili at rapid pace. I caught the first part and replied...only to be ignored. I then realised that he was speaking to the lady who was also assisting the passenger next to me. I smiled, under my breath, and knew I was home. At the end of my time, as he was writing out my visa he said, “Where are you staying”...to which I replied “Rosslyn Academy”. No more questions asked. Praise God! I said “Asante” to which he replied “Karibu Kenya” (Welcome to Kenya).

I continued downstairs and was able to find ALL of my luggage! Woohoo. I then proceeded to exit the arrivals hall to a massive crowd of people all shouting ‘Mzungu...taxi, Mzungu’. Soon enough I found my wonderful hosts Wes and Jane who had been arranged to come and collect me and get me settled into my home. As we left the airport we hit the road and once again we were stopped in traffic. The cool breeze was a refreshing way to arrive. We drove through the outskirts of town and into the place where I will be living. Some streets were familiar, but it was hard to position exactly where I was at night.

We reached my house. And WOW. I am SO blessed! J It is up a no-through-traffic street. At the end of the street there is a boom gate in which all cars are stopped and checked. People who are walking are also asked what they are doing on the street! My house is about halfway along the roadside and there is a big hill that leads from the road into our house compound. A compound is basically a fenced area of land in which the house and garden and room for cars is. We have quite a nice, big compound with a big avocado tree just down the hill. There are lots of trees that border the edge. There is a massive, locked security gate at the entrance to the compound. The entire perimeter of the compound walls also had broken shards of glass bottles that have been cemented in place.

Inside the house we have a 2 security doors to enter through which leads into the kitchen. The kitchen door also locks. Our kitchen is AMAZING. HUGE. We have a fridge and an oven (which is SOOO awesome!). We have been given some plates and cups etc on loan from the school until we set up our house.  From the kitchen you walk forwards to our dining/living room. It is a big open room with a fireplace...not sure if it works?? Off to one side of this room is a spare room (for guests when they come...when we get a spare mattress/bed!)

Following on from this there are 3 raised steps which lets you enter the main house. There are 3 rooms in the main section. They are MASSIVE! My host family who came and cleaned the house and set it up gave me the biggest room and it has an attached ensuite!! With...a BATHTUB!!! My room is at the back of the house with some large (barred) windows that look out into a green garden. There is a banana tree too. I have some cupboard space as well as a desk and chair and a bed! The bed is funny as the mattress is smaller than the actual frame for the bed! I love it (very African!). I also have another little area which has a smaller window that looks to the side of the compound.

We have a water heater that you have to switch on an hour before having a shower/bath (if you want hot water). It took about 5 minutes of the water running for the hot to come through...but it was SOOO worth the wait!

So...with security. There is a Chinese/American man who works for the UN living upstairs. He apparently owns the guard dog and hires the security personnel. We have 1 guard at all times during the day and then we have 2 guards at night. They have a little house on the side of our house where they stay. And as for Dora the dog... I have gone out and bought special dog treats for her, to woo her into liking me and not attacking. My first phrase in Swahili that I need to learn is...‘Can you please tie up Dora?’. I am onto that now! We also have emergency buzzers in almost every room of the house and one on a keychain to carry around. This is apparently a silent alarm that will send more guards to the house from the security company.

Sooo...I am feeling highly, highly secure...it almost gives me an uneasy feeling. Is this much security really needed? I’m sure it is better safe than sorry and I am glad to be in such a secure place. I would value your continued prayers as I try to adapt to being in such a high security location and for the ability to feel free in spite of these security needs.  

This morning my host, Wes came to get me and as he walked up the hill towards our house Dora went off...I was watching from the windows, not daring to even think about going outside. He barked and barked and barked and lunged at the metal bars. The guard got him and let Wes in and tied him up to let us escape.

We firstly walked over to Rosslyn (My new school!). It is about a 15-20 minute walk...down our road and then up the UNEP road, past a man selling beautiful roses and many types of flowers on the street. I then have to take another turn and walk a bit more before reaching Rosslyn.

Rosslyn is simply beautiful. The trees and lush green grass set on the backdrop of beautiful, colonial type buildings as well as newer ones. I got to walk all around the campus and see where people live as well as where all the different parts of the school are. I got to see my classroom too and it is amazing! It is absolutely MASSIVE! HUGE...MASSIVE. Have to get some ideas together as to what I will do with all of that space. Am planning to head to the market in Thika and bargain for some Kanga material to use for the walls and as curtains.

After this I went and had lunch with Wes and Jane and their son at their house on campus. After lunch, Jane took me in her car down to Village Market. Village is a place which I didn’t go to very much last year (only as a treat!). But this year, I guess it’s going to be the place I do most of my shopping. It is about 2.5km walk each way from my house, past the UN and the US Embassy. I was able to buy some things I needed like dog treats and laundry powder and a clock for the wall. I was also able to get a phone as the phone I brought from Australia didn’t work.. L But, I will let you know my phone number when I can. I don’t have internet at home just yet, so internet will be a bit sparse for the first little while at least.  

Tonight I am venturing back up to Wes and Janes’ place for dinner. They will drop me home afterwards to be safe. So...tomorrow I am going somewhere again with Jane and on Saturday I am going back to Jesus Helper’s to see my precious bubbies!!! Wahhoo!!! After that I think that I will be travelling up to Thika to see my Kenyan family, Lil, Francis and their new bubba Sarah and hopefully Peter and Mary Anne and Hope. I will also be seeing my gals Mary and Trizah and eating plenty of samosas from my favourite Kenyan shop, Qweutu! Can’t wait!

Mimi ni nyumbani!!!

Love Waithera.

I have a home...! :)

So...this week, along with learning lotssss and I mean LOTS of new things..I have found out about where I will be living in Kenya! :)  I will be living in a house, off campus from school. It is in a very safe area of Nairobi and is about a 15-25 minute walk from school (apparently!). It is near the World Food Programme and the United Nations Compund.

I will be living with 2 housemates who are both also new to Rosslyn this year. Crystal is here at PFO with me in New York and is awesome! I can tell we are going to get along really well on most issues (apart from her dislike of vegemite and mine of ketchup!!...) haha. She will be teaching Language Arts in the middle school. Our other housemate we haven't met yet!

Our house has 3 bedrooms and 1 spare room for guests when they come over! :) Exciting! It is on the lower level and is in a gated compound. Ours is the only house in the compound. We have a big gate out the front with some beautiful trees as well. We will have a Rottweiler dog for security which is apparently named 'Dora'. Hilarious...I think! It will be even more hilarious as I hate big dogs and am slightly terrified of when they bark at me. Apparently Dora is also very good at chasing the monkeys out of our houseyard! ;) I will need to buy doggy treats for Dora to convince her to like me and not attack me when I am heading to hang out my washing! :) We will also have an askari/guard at home.

Upstairs we have another tenant. He is a Chinese/American who works with the United Nations. He owns Dora.

I am contemplating what to do about transport as it is in the opposite direction from school to the shops and I think it will be a bit of a trek?? I am planning to start out walking but may need to buy a bike or a car in the near future.

If you would like to check out where I will be living it is accessible on google maps! Email/Facebook me and I'll send you my address if you'd like it! :)


Can't wait to get there now to see what it's all like and to meet people!!