This is Kibera.

Sewage filled pathways. Rancid smells that stop you in your tracks. Barefoot babies running amongst this. Burning heaps of trash. Houses the size of my bedroom holding families of 10. Homes made of aluminum and mud. Countless kiddos echoing a chorus of “How are youuu?” as we pass by because it is the only English they know. Children taking care of children. Heartbreak and heartache every moment. This is Kibera.

A wide open dirt field with room to run and play. A colorful jungle-gym for the itty-bitties. Classrooms full of bright young students. Teachers full of wisdom. Teachers so ready to love even when that calls for tough love. Students spending from 6:30 AM to 6 PM in school with such drive to one day attend “university”. Jesus’ light shining forth from every single face. This too is Kibera.

Today we returned to Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa and second largest in the world. Over one million people live in one square mile of land. It is typically portrayed as a hopeless, drug-filled, and terrifying place. However, the side we experienced today held such joy. As we walked the streets, or paths rather, into the very middle of the slum, the images I first referenced were all we saw. My heart continuously broke as I saw more and more faces of desperation. The whole time I was praying and wondering how I reconcile that world with my own; the only difference between me and someone living in Kibera is where I was born…why God? He instilled in me a sense of peace and hope that this is why I am here: to come and see and then go and tell. Just as His word demands. I cannot see and experience what I have and sit idly by. I must share what I have seen…I must make whomever I encounter envision the poverty I was surrounded by today but then, more than anything, see the hope that abounds. When we passed through the gates of Silanga School, everything changed. Within this chaos we had just experienced, here existed an almost utopia-like establishment. It was not significantly nicer than the other places, however it had such clear purpose: to educate the children of Kibera and create the best future possible to every child who passes through their gates with a foundational Biblical education. It was truly incredible! We got to see all aspects of the school: the preschool section, the high school, the Compassion International partnership, and the Childcare Ministry. I of course loved the preschool and was so impressed by the curriculum, which is far ahead of American standards for that age. The precious children were loving all they had the opportunity to learn. The high schoolers were similar as they were filled with such clear determination and drive. Failure isn’t an option; education is the crucial necessity to create and enable a future for themselves. The teachers of Silanga were equally as amazing: they were almost all college-educated professionals who returned to the slum by choice to provide a hope and future for this next generation of children. Hope illuminates their faces. After having the opportunity to see these kids academic lair, we also got to play with them during their break! Some of the “Form 1” aka freshmen girls were double-dutching like nobodies business. They asked me to join them and boy did I try hard to jump my little heart out, but my best efforts didn’t compare! I had such fun attempting though. Silanga held such hope amidst utter poverty; it was an encouraging place to spend the day pouring into these kiddos!

Another aspect of today that brings my heart joy is the difference in Kibera since I was last here four years ago. Walking through then, I was not only shocked by what I saw and completely heartbroken, but I left feeling both helpless and hopeless. There did not appear much promise. Walking through today was a totally new feeling: the sewage was much less, the smell better, the people happier…as Pastor Benson and I discussed the change, he told me, “There is much good coming to Kibera. A new generation is rising up and making it a better place to live for themselves. There is much hope; there is much promise.” Truly, there is hope and promise! Kibera today has come so far in four short years; our God never ceases to amaze me!

A few shout-out moments:

• Bets: in the London airport, I had to run through and the moving sidewalks really helped…of course I thought of you; talk about efficient!
• Kak: there was a 2 story Harrods in the London airport, enough said.
• Bekah: yesterday there was a dance party with the African women, I needed you here!
• La: tonight we ate at a Chinese restaurant in Kenya; turned out better than your Italian Chinese experience!
• Mommy: seeing the plaque of the school you and the FF women had built made me so proud to be your daughter!
• LG and Sas: 3 days, enough said!