On a Kenyan afternoon in July, which is typically a little warmer and sunnier than the cool morning, Anna found herself hanging wet clothes on a fence. She was helping her fellow team members who had been tasked with doing laundry Kenyan-style. For her the experience was bittersweet: she was glad that she could help out at Mukumu Children’s Home but saddened by what she saw. Here’s an excerpt from her journal that she wrote later that day.
“After lunch we washed clothing the old-fashioned way—in basins. And then hung them on fences to dry. It was heartbreaking to hang up clothing that was so ruined. Pants with holes in the crotch; dresses with paint stains on them and shirts with no buttons and holes in the sleeves. … After we played with the children, I realized why I’m here. Absolutely adorable dark faces with almost perfect white teeth. Big brown eyes that are slightly sad until you smile at them …. and although some may not smile … their eyes do. They are just like our Canadian kids in the way of their laughing, running around and giggling. But at the same time they are completely different. So satisfied with sitting beside you and making you feel like they could sit there forever. Priceless faces with lasting smiles. Innocent souls with corrupted bodies.”
Another team member, Heather, also found herself impacted by the same experience. With her hands in the soapy water, she found most of the clothes ripped and thought, “back home these are what we would use as rags.” Seeing the children in photos, wearing their clothes, she didn’t anticipate just how worn-out they really were. But as she scrubbed them, she saw them up close and was overwhelmed. Hand-washing outside in pales of rain water is an experience that has changed her perspective about life—and laundry.
Hmmm. I am doing laundry right now as I type because I have a machine to do it for me. This story makes me so aware of how different our lives are simply because of where we are born. I pray that I will never stop being thankful and never begrudge sharing what God has blessed me with!
I loved the lines “Priceless faces with lasting smiles. Innocent souls with corrupted bodies.” I guess that is one thing that never changes no matter what country you’re in, the lasting effect of the smile of a child! Have fun sharing the love and smiles of the children.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us Anna. I am looking forward to hearing more when you return home.
Michelle and Vern left yeaterday and send you their love. We wait for the new neighbors to arrive.
I am looking after Keller’s new dog – remember…Patches the Great Dane?… and when I went into the house to take it for a walk it growled at me fiercely!! However, I did get it to go out, but initially I was scared!
Praying for you and smiling when I think of you with the orphans.
Love,
Mom
Dearest Kristie and Dave! Hey, we had a BBQ with the house church a few nights ago and we thought of you guys and talked about Africa almost the whole time! As Heidi gave us a birds eye view of what she experienced there just a week earlier I thought of you and was just amazed that you get the priveldge of sharing your life with the brothers and sisters in Africa AND are receiveing so much life from them!
Love the Canaday’s in Canada!!!
Just thinking about how valuable simply being present for the children really is. In our day it is often what can be measured that is seen as more valuable, but from the example of Jesus we see that welcoming the little ones, laying hands on them and demonstrating love through time spent is worthwhile.
Luke 19:13-15
Some children were brought to Jesus so He could lay His hands and them and pray for them. The disciples told them not to bother Him. (Is that because the disciples thought there was more important things to do or places to go?) BUT JESUS SAID, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” And He put His hands on them and blessed them before He left.
The neat thing about building a kitchen there, is that you can see how much of a difference it will make in their everyday lives. Thank God for a new kitchen. new paint and new clothes!!! It may not be as easy to see what lasting value your hugs, eye contact, smiles and time spent will bring to these little ones – or even Grace for that matter.
My thoughts for the day,
Leslie
Kritie, Julia & Lori – looks like a good ‘ol time doing laundry! It’s so sweet to know each one of you that are on the trip and to see y’all working closely together. Corrina – thanks for great blog posts and Ryan et all for great pictures
Marcus,
Miss you lots today. Jacob smiles everytime we ask him where daddy is:) If you ever have a day where you really miss him just remember you’re on holidays from changing dirty diapers for awhile. It’s good to see you having so much fun and make sure you use that camera!
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
Crystal and Jacob
Perspective.. Africa will give you a whole new perspective and appreciation for your own life. Great life lessons.
Praying for you.. Scripture for all of you today.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate. Slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made.
The Lord watches over all who love him” Psalm 145: 8,9 and 20
May the Lord have compassion on you and give you the compassion in all you come in contact with today. Know that we are praying
The Zimmers