Mathare Slum

 

Mathare Slum- How to describe a place like this? Where to begi

 

Upwards of 700,000 people living in 1 square km!!!

 

The face of poverty is crystal clear. THIS.....yes THIS is it....

 

On Sunday my housemate Crystal and I went to AIC Zion Church in Mathare Slum. We went to visit this church as Crystal’s home church in the USA is supporting this church and we wanted to check it out. We caught a taxi into the slum (as we didn’t think it was safe catching matatus) and were met by the usual security checks to get into the gate of the church. We were a few minutes early for church so we waited outside and spoke to some people who were waiting. The service was great! The dancing and singing made the joy of the church simply contagious. We were then asked to speak to the church (which is SO not my favourite thing to do!! and people always find my accent amusing..!) I always tell myself- Speak S.L.O.W.L.Y Sarah! Haha. We were then informed- You are staying for the second service, right? To which we couldn’t refuse! We met a kind guy name Jeremiah (who knew many of Crystal’s friends from the states!). He told us that the youth service was happening down in the slum. We asked if we could join him and the walk into the slum began...

We weaved our way through narrow alleyways (just wide enough to walk), under washing lines and clothes draped between the mud and tin houses. The shack houses are tiny and made from rusty iron sheets and mud. I can’t bear to imagine when it rains. We walked up and down, up and down as the earth beneath our feet rose and fell. The open sewers lied under our feet on every corner. There are flies everywhere. The smell is indescribable. It’s a mix between burning piles of rubbish and the open sewers. Toilets are shared between hundreds. We saw no shops, no facilities...just children playing in the dirt and mud and men sitting on the cold earth. Jobs here are scarce...VERY scarce. Many people are unemployed or work doing illegal things to survive. Crime rates are high.

The beautiful children are what get me every time!!! The greeting remains the same- in angelic, innocent, high-pitched shrieks- ‘Mzungu!!! How are you?’ to which you must reply- ‘I am fine, How are you?’. Over and over again we said it as the children wanted to touch our white skin and rub our arms. We bent down and said ‘Salamia’ (Please shake my hand/say hi) to several children and their little faces beamed with so much joy, it looked like they were about to explode!

We made it to the youth church building which was only a few hundred meters away (but felt like sooo far). The church was amazing! The youth service was sooo fun and the topics they shared were completely relevant to the youth! The sermon was about how to choose the perfect wife/husband. The preacher touched on issues of HIV and making wise choices. It was really encouraging to see this message given to these young adults. We then got asked to speak again and to play some Kenyan games (highly embarrassing in front of 70+ youth!). After this, we weaved our way back through the place so many call home.

Every time I go to a place like this...I am challenged beyond belief. I know God has called me to places like this. To shine some light, send some smiles and to be an influence to the needy and those who desperately need to seek his face. I also feel blessed when I go to places like this. I learn how to appreciate the small things in my own life and be grateful for what I have. After going here on Sunday, we had no power at our house for 2 days. I didn’t mind at all because the reality is that many of these people in Mathare don’t have power- EVER. What is 2 days! 

 

So...will you join me in praying for the people of Mathare...and for our hearts to be changed and our minds to be open for the suffering of this world? Asante.

 

X Waithera.