this is africa

TIA: this is africa. When ridiculous things happen you can throw out this little phrase and it'll cover it. Last week Mollie and I were sitting in our room when water started dripping from the ceiling, then started dripping from our overhead light, then started pouring out of our overhead light. Mollie came running in to save all of our stuff and ended up laying in a puddle, despite the headlamp; TIA. Last week we went camping in Kinangop and I was running to the kitchen to eat (duh), didn't see the tent rope and face-planted, should have had my headlamp, TIA. 

Last weekend we made our way out to Kinangop in the most packed van this world has ever known, the amount of stuff and human beings we crammed in there was unreal (TIA) but we made it. Y'all it was like a three day peak into heaven, couldn't get enough of it. Nature is a reflection of our Creator. We serve a beautiful God, that's all I know.

claustrophobia 

couldn't paint a prettier picture

powerful God 

During the day we went to a school in the village and taught 150 kids that Jesus made them special. That each of them have gifts and they have a mighty calling over their lives to go out and make a difference in their communities using their gifts. That they are infinitely treasured. These kids love Jesus. Their bibles are their most prized possessions. One girl wrote on the cover of her bible, this bible belong to Kim do not stell (steal) it because it is holy. If only we treasured our bibles and the words in it like these kids, if only we daily acknowledged how holy it really is. Lots to learn from these little ones.  

Aaaaaaand back to Nairobi, home sweet home. The past week and a half have been jam-packed with visits to different baby homes. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all that we have to get done, all the red tape we have to get through, all the process we have to learn about. We've seen amazing examples to follow and we've seen some disturbing scenes of failed orphan care. 

    
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure, that reaches farther. 

Hebrews 6:19

One home was close to perfect for the style they were going for. There are 40 kids total that are past the age of having a strong chance at adoption so this home's theory is to create a home and start a family right there. On the compound there are 4 different homes with 8-11 kids in each home. Each home has one mom, who has signed on to 15+ years to live there and raise these kids as their own. These women are literal angels. We asked one of the little girls what she loved most about her home and she said 'everything'. That is a miracle. I'm thankful for the glimmers of hope found in homes like these. Thankful for the knowledge that a better way is possible and is in action right now. 

We go to another one of the homes pretty often and it snaps me right back to the heartbreaking reality that millions of kids are living in rancid, loud, lonely homes. I'm pretty unfazed when it comes to gross things, like I can handle it. I was gagging when I walked in, almost had to excuse myself to throw up. Sorry to be graphic but its the sad truth. One baby opened his mouth and a rusty tack fell out. A rusty tack. There was dried poop on the floor, kids were left in their cloth diapers long enough for it to soak through their 5 layers of clothes and onto my arms, the smells coming off the kids had to be from days and days with out a bath. These home are giving the world this illusion that something is being done to care for orphans. A sour mattress, a leaky roof, and a pile of rice for lunch isn't enough for these precious souls. The mommas at the homes we have been to are not malicious, I really do believe most of them have the best intentions. They just lack the resources. They lack money, training, staff, and time. Thankfully our God has plenty of it all and He is calling His people to move in a big way. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you . I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 
John 14:27 

You do not give as the world gives, thank you Jesus. If we choose to seek his face, if we choose to seek his peace, he promises it to us. These babies are promised the same thing.