Joy Lives Here

As our week in Kenya is coming to a close, a common theme keeps coming to mind. We have talked about it as a team and would like to share some insights from spending a week with the Mission of Hope International children.

In the densely packed slums in Nairobi and the remote homesteads in Chumani - a quiet miracle unfolds each day. It doesn’t come wrapped in plastic, it’s not powered by batteries, it doesn’t stream through WiFi and it doesn’t come flashing through a mega-sized tv screen. This miracle is far more resilient and real; it’s the joy in the hearts of the children who by our standards have nothing.

As we walked through the Mathare slums in Nairobi last week or the rural land of Chumani - which is quite remote - we witnessed hardship. Tin roofs leak when it rains, raw sewage seeps into the small, cramped metal shanties and rain blows through open windows with no glass. Meals are often skipped because there is not enough for 3 square meals a day.

Clean water is a treasure. Electricity, if it exists, is borrowed. There in no indoor plumbing in these homes. Shoes are optional, not by choice, but by necessity. When we looked closer, we saw children with precious smiles, laughing. We saw children kicking a deflated ball having loads of fun! Their joy is not manufactured. They have learned to connect with each other and with those who visit.

A lesson I learned is, in these areas of Kenya the currency of happiness is not possessions, but presence.

These children grow up instinctively understanding what many of us forget: to be seen, to be hugged, to receive a high five and to be loved is the truest form of wealth.

What is most surprising is their joy is not naive. These are children who know real struggle; they have been hungry; they’ve seen illness and loss.

What we witnessed and received spending time with these children was pure unguarded JOY!

The next time you equate happiness with things or believe joy is the result of convenience or technology, remember the Mission of Hope children. Our team encourages you to consider sponsoring a child at the Bondeni or Chumani school. You will change the life of an amazing child and family with a small monthly sponsorship. Please help the joy thrive!