11-4
Went
to town today. On the way I slipped into puddle after muddy puddle. My socks
and feet were soaked all day. However, the day was good. On the way back from
lunch at the same janky looking place (but hecka good food) a couple ten-year
old street boys came to Haron and me asking for money. Their names were both
John. One was breathing on a bottle of glue getting high off the fumes. We
started asking them questions and talking to them. Usually when you ask them
why they aren’t in school and talking about the importance of it they just walk
away. These boys stayed with us. They usually come up with lies about why they
are on the street. They’re usually about how their mom is sick and can’t pay
school fees and their dad is dead. After a while I took out three shillings
(this is very, very little and can’t buy anything). But it was all I had with
me. I told the one boy with the glue that I’d give it to him if he gave me the
glue. He did reluctantly, then later said that it was nothing. I told him to give
me the money back if he didn’t want it, but I wasn’t going to give him the glue
back. Haron went into the bank for something, and I waited with the boys
outside. We were talking about stuff. Then Glue Boy said he wanted the glue
back. I told him no. After a bit he started to threaten to throw a rock at my
head. I told him that he wouldn’t do it. The other kid quickly grabbed the
bottle out of my hand and tried to get away. But I grabbed Glue Boy and held
him under my arm and told the other one to give me the glue if he truly cared
about his friend (this was not a threat that I would crush him. Although
looking back it may have sounded that way haha. It was supposed to be, “If you
care about your friend’s health and life, then give it to me.) After a few moments
he gave it back and I set him down. Haron finally came out and we ran a quick
errand a few blocks away. The boys came with, and Haron was talking to them.
He’s good with these types of boys. I thought that it was better that they
started to pay attention to only him rather than me. I after all would be
leaving soon. He needed to be trusted in the long run. Thank you God for
humbling me in that. At the end of it all he bought them a meal. When they see
him again, they will see a man they can trust. That leads to more good stuff.
On
the way to the matatu stage, I came across Job, the now 20-year old who is
living on the streets. I told him I’d be leaving soon, bought him a small loaf
the lemon cake, and talked with him briefly about life. He’s probably heard it
a million times. But God knows, maybe the millionth and one time will get
through. It is not my or anyone else’s job to save him though. That’s between
him and the life giver.
The
little three-year old girl at the matatu station is getting a bit more friendly
with me. However she came close and didn’t see me. When she turned and saw me
standing right there she ran scared, crying to her mom. I fully understand. If
I saw me, heck ya I’d run. But then I gave her a few smiles and sad faces, and
she was back to her old self. I vow by the time I leave, she will be coming up
to me giving high fives. She is adorable.
Tried
getting all the guys here at Blesco to take a picture. When I finally got them
all together, I tried to get somebody to take a picture for us. I wanted to be
in the picture so I could print one out for each of them. I asked three people
to take the picture at different times. Each one misunderstood and went to get
IN the picture. I just chuckled to myself and took the picture. Oh well. I
wanted to leave them something to help them remember me. Guess they’ll only
have their memory. I’ll have thousands of pictures that they have taken of
themselves in weird poses.
11-9
The
boys left yesterday. They have finished the first year at Blesco Boys HS.
Unfortunately I wasn’t there to see them off. I said my goodbyes on Thursday.
It was kinda sad saying bye. Fortunately they were eating when I left, so they
were a bit preoccupied. I will see some of them in town though. Slept over at
Troy’s and his family’s house Thursday night cuz Haron wanted to pick me up at
4am to go to Kisumu, a 5 hr drive. We got on the rode at 4:30 after picking up
Gitau. We finally got there at about 9:30. We had to stop in Kisumu town cuz
there was something wrong with the car wheels. That’s what happens when you
drive 100 miles over potholes. We then went to the prayer meeting for one of
the 8th grade boys. We got there late, and it still lasted over 3
hrs. We didn’t come back to Nakuru yesterday. We stopped in Kericho on the way
back and stayed in a small hotel. Haron and Gitau slept in the same bed (not a
big bed). I found that a bit humorous. The drive was beautiful. One of those
things I wish I could explain.
If
you want to know what it’s like to constantly be hassled for not being married,
introduced to random women, and have scripture taken out of context to prove
that you SHOULD be married, then be me.
11-10
There
has been a change of plans. When I originally decided on staying til December I
thought the student were getting out of school a few days before I was leaving.
Now that the students are gone, that means I would be here for a month with not
much to do. And there is definitely value in just being where you are whether
busy or not. However, I have done that before and was reminded of another great
opportunity I can have if I take it. So I am leaving in a week and going to
Europe for a few weeks. I have a friend in Rome who is a Christian working with
refugees mostly from Afghanistan. So I’ll bee going there and seeing if I can
be of some assistance and hopefully give her some encouragement. Then if
possible I will go to Ukraine where I have another friend in the Peace Corps. I
have never been to Europe and really don’t know what’s happening, but I have become
an expert at knowing and going with the flow. But I truly believe God will be
present and working and has already started long before I even had a thought.
Wow, imagine that.
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