Kenya Team Report February 4, 2008

February 4, 2008

Greetings from Nairobi,

Today has been a long day with the Street Children ministry beginning the morning and leaving the Mission House at 5:15AM for the ride downtown in the dark streets. On Mondays Linda, Sandy, and Pastor Boniface go to another part of the city where there are mainly young girls living on the streets with their babies. As we drove up to the place the street children were laying on the sidewalks sleeping, wrapped up in feed sacks for warmth. There were about twenty on that street and as we parked several woke up and began to stir. One young mother began nursing twins who were covered by the feed sacks. Two other mothers had their babies wrapped in separate sacks beside them. There were older teen age boys sleeping there as well and it was a dangerous looking part of town. We talked with different of the girls and boys in small groups and shared with them the love of Jesus and the hope He can bring. To be honest, I felt a terrible sense of hopelessness on that street. For boys to live on the streets is sad. For young girls to live there is tragic. They are abused, mistreated, assaulted, and left to raise precious children in the filth and danger of the streets. I was glad when it was time to go. Ministry to these street children is a special calling from God. Pray for Linda, Sandy and Pastor Boniface as they go into the city three mornings each week to care for and share the love of Jesus with the most forgotten group of people, the street children. Most would rather never think about the horrors of their lives. Once you see the needs, you can never forget.

Back at the Mission House we had breakfast and then went to Ridgeways Baptist Church to join with our friends and go to the refugee camp at Mathari North. The work of today was to hold a medical clinic for the people in the camp and in the neighboring slums. We had several nurses and a nurse practioner with us. There were over three hundred people who came for the medical treatments ranging from worn treatments to common ailments. At lunch time the ladies of the camp cooked rice and potatoes and we all had a bite. It was a more relaxed day for some and a busy day for others.

The ride home during rush hour was exciting. With multiple cars going multiple ways all at the same time it can get very intense. I am surprised how the Kenyan drivers can get so many cars on the same stretch of road at the same time.

For supper we invite any missionaries from the Mission House who would like to join us for a meal. We had three families join us tonight and had a great time of fellowship around the tables.

Tomorrow will probably be our last day of ministry at the refugee camp at Tigoni. It has been a blessing to minister to these people in the name of Jesus. I anticipate many will be moved from there to their homelands before the end of the week. It will be bitter sweet to say good-bye to these kind, friendly people who have suffered so much in this past week.

Keep Praying,
Tim Frank
Matthew 5:14-16