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!!!)