Medical Clinic at Eastleigh

The Lord brought His love and tender touch to those we serve at Eastleigh this week. Shawn Koonce from Tinroof ministry brought together a team of medical staff, prayer warriors and servants to come and bless the people of the streets in Eastleigh. Doctor Mary Wachira from Nyeri gave up some of her leave time to humbly and professionallydiagnose and treat patients. Doctor Chad Stephens and his family, as well as a number of other visitors and volunteers met medical and spiritual needs of those who came. God pulled a beautiful team of servants together to share His love. Each visitor was gently touched, prayed over, diagnosed and given medication. Graditude poured from their hearts and mouths as they left our gate. Many stated that they desire to give their lives to the Lord. Please pray that God will use
this clinic for His eternal purposes.

Painting project

Painting has been done at all MITS properties...Boys' centre, Girls' centre, Learning centre, skills training area, Nursery school, Men visitors quarters, the community playground new boys' dorm, team lounge room and the shops.

SPOTLIGHT ON: MADE IN THE STREETS

Nairobi is home to the world’s largest slum (Kibera). It is also the home of several other slums (like Mathare and Eastleigh). These slums are home to the world’s poorest people. Extreme poverty, disease (including rampant HIV/AIDS), (including), crime, homelessness, alcoholism and drug addiction, hunger/malnutrition and broken families, unfortunately, define more of life in these “neighborhoods” than they should. For many in these slums there is no hope. However, there is at least one organization making a real difference, and providing real hope, in these hells on earth: MITS is an organization with a center in the Eastleigh slum, and a boarding/schooling program outside of Nairobi in a town called Kamulu. MITS serves teenage boys and girls who are often homeless or without family, and teenage single mothers with young children. The center in Eastleigh provides a space for child care and parenting lessons, Bible studies, food, water, showering facilities and relationships. Those who are consistent in coming to the center and demonstrate a desire and commitment to getting off the streets (most of these children are either addicted to drugs, involved in crime, or both) are then considered to join the boarding program in Kamulu when space is available. In Kamulu the children are provided an education (math, English, Bible, etc.), trade skills (carpentry, tailoring, hair dressing, catering, farming, mechanics, computer skills, etc.), housing, clothes, food and a community that does everything from birthday parties to soccer tournaments to church together. Kids usually stay at Kamulu for between three and five years. After graduating from the program they move on to the next phase in life with the assistance of the MITS staff. The most successful have well-paying, full-time jobs, homes and even families of their own. Many have even joined the MITS staff and are continuing the cycle of bringing children from the brink of despair.

I have now spent two summers working with MITS and have sponsored several children in the program. I believe deeply in the people who work at MITS and the ministry. They are truly a city on a hill and the salt of the earth. In their own way, both large and small, they are living the Kingdom of God as best they can while on this earth. Please check out their website and consider partnering with this amazing organization.

James (Jimmy) W. McCarty III is a doctoral student at Emory University in the Graduate Division of Religion. He is in the Ethics and Society course of study and has concentrations in "Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding" and "Religious Practices and Practical Theology."

Conejo Valley is here!

The Aggies left and we really had a blast while they were here.

Still excitement gets the better of us, as we receive more visitors this week from California. Conejo Valley church of Christ is here to spend a week long camp with the kids and team. The team also will be having sessions with part of this group to improve their teaching skills and becoming better leader in front of God's eyes and the students that we serve.

On Friday half of the group from Conejo Valley visited the streets, on reaching our in center Eastleigh, we divided up into groups to visit different bases. Some team went as far as the town center. Of course this is always an interesting venture for our visitors, but all team reported positive reception from all the bases, street friends they met on the bases and along the streets as they walked. Some got the experience of a Matatu drive, (public transport), their comment is they have never seen or experienced anything like it...loud music,

money being collected by a tout/conductor.

On Saturday was more fun, the kids got their feet size measured-so that shoes can be bought, they got to make a pinyatta, make cookies which tasted awesome. Sports shoes will be bought for the marathon that is coming ahead of us, all team-student body is getting ready and really excited about this. It will be a 10km run....

Hope we are all up to it!