Tuesday – Widows & Kibera

“There are no words” – the response of the AIDS widows when asked what the ministry program means to them.  Ostracized, rejected and without hope, these women found their way to Homecare ministry for AIDS widows from Kibera, and here they have found life and hope!  One of the women shared about her journey; married at 17, having a baby by age 19, her husband murdered at age 20.  As is the custom, she was “inherited” by her husband’s family, becoming wife to one of his relatives.  Not only did she lose her husband and was handed over to another man, the family took her  home and all her possessions for themselves; she was left with nothing but her little boy.  It was by this second man that she was infected with HIV.  In time she left and went to live with a sister-on-law; but was later kicked out; again alone.  For a brief time she lived with neighbor and finally managed to get a small place on her own, but then the virus set in and she became very sick.  Bed ridden, she lost all hope.  She saw women from Homecare visiting women in their homes, and one day they visited her.  It was then that she found someone who cared, understood and offered her hope.  After receiving help from Homecare, she regained strength.  She comes faithfully to meet with the other women, cooking together, growing in the Lord, praying and encouraging one another.  Today she looks well!  Her little boy is 8; he is in school, thanks to Homecare’s help.  All the women have similar stories; all have been scorned by their families and society; all have felt desperation, and each one has found the love of Jesus, hope and life through the ministry of Homecare.  What a joy to sing God’s praises and pray with them today, to hug them and show them that they are loved, not rejected, accepted and valued.

Another program going on at Homecare is a dressmaking program, and we got to visit with the students who are learning sewing skills that will provide a way to make a living when they graduate in December.  A man who is now in the program has a job as a night watchman; he works from 6PM to 6AM, then comes to the sewing program by 8:00.  He told us he wants a better life for him and his family.  He is hoping to be a tailor, even make his own designs.  Joseph, the teacher, says he believes he will be an instructor; he has learned so quickly and so well.  He beams as he shows us his work! 

 https://picasaweb.google.com/johnacrews1/HomeCareInKenya


Homecare also has an outreach to the children of Kibera in cooperation with five churches where school is provided for children.  We got to visit one of the schools this afternoon; what precious children, sitting quietly waiting for us to arrive.  Lynette, their teacher, has volunteered as a teacher for several years.  Though not paid, she loves these children and is teaching them to read, write, do arithmetic, sing and importantly, know Jesus.  The pastor of the church met us there and went with us and the program leader to visit two homes of the children.  Unless you have been to Kibera it is almost impossible to describe.  The largest slum in the world; one million people on 600 acres; no sewage system, running water, little electricity, mud and stick hovels with tin roofs packed together in an unimaginable maze.  Each sense is assaulted from every side; the pungent smells from raw sewage and garbage, the smoke of charcoal used for cooking, blaring music, dogs barking, children laughing, yelling; a cacophony of sound, sight and smells.  We visited two such dwellings, both housing 8-10 people in about 10x10 space.  Mud walls, so dark you can barely see even in the daylight.  But we were graciously welcomed in. Both have had to take in nieces and nephews when their siblings died; all desperately trying to survive.  Both enormously grateful that the children have the opportunity to go to school, take part in the Saturday Bible clubs, be fed and loved.  I wish I could better describe Kibera and its people, but as the women said this morning, there aren’t words to describe.  BUT…..God is at work there!  We know there is hope for the children in the schools; they are coming to know Jesus in the Bible clubs, and their parents/caregivers are seeing God’s love played out through those who serve through Homecare. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/johnacrews1/OurWalkThroughKibera

I’m sorry this has been lengthy, but we so want to enable others to catch a glimpse of the significance and necessity of such ministry here.  A few words do come to mind; overwhelmed, but also grateful.