Save a Tree, Eat a Goat

We started off day four with a wonderful breakfast made by “Team A” (Elaine, Paul, and Kristen). Then we experienced our first OKSAT (Obligatory Kenya Screw Around Time) while we waited on our transportation into Maai Mahiu. We were told to be ready by 1030, however our transportation did not show up till about 1130. During our first OKSAT, Kristen kept us busy with Africa Trivia cards. Pretty much D.J. and Elaine kicked everyone's butts.

When our transportation arrived, to our surprise, it was the Cure Ambulance! Long story short, we turned the ambulance into a four-wheeling, off-roading, monster. We headed down the mountain to Maai Mahiu to Comfort the Children Ministry (www.ctcinternational.org). This is a ministry run by an amazing man named Jeremiah. The ministry reaches out to disabled children and their mothers in a community that rejects and shuns them. We learned that many times these children are killed or neglected while their mother's are shunned or abused. At this ministry, the children come during the day to a school where they are loved and taught, while their mothers sew bags that are sold in order to raise profits to keep the facility open. We were blessed to be able to play with these children.

God taught us many things like how just being physically present can bring a child and their mother a sense of peace and strength. These children and women have overcome many obstacles and will continue to run into obstacles during their lives. When we met the mothers, the told us their name and spoke English. Jeremiah said this would not have happened two months ago. Growth is happening here! While we were there we colored, danced, sang and just held the children. We were able to discuss with their teachers how some of these children have overcome obstacles that we cannot even imagine with just a little love and attention. It is amazing to be able to see how God is working throughout the nations!

After we visited Comfort the Children, we had our first real authentic Kenyan meal, nyama choma (which is roasted goat meat with a side of corn flour type bread). When we arrived back at our “home,” we rested, ate dinner and watched a beautiful sunset over the mountains. We had an awesome group time and discussed how God blessed each and everyone of us through our time at Comfort the Children. We also experienced a Little Susan Boyle to appease our fearless leader Paul. Then Mendonsas invited us to our house where we celebrated Michael's 30^th Birthday! We enjoyed fellowshipping with them. It was a fun day full of adventure. And we have many days still yet to experience.

Bwana Asifiwe (Praise the Lord)!

-Beth (Edited by Daniel)