First Day at Bondeni

Our first day of VBS at Bondeni was today. The children welcomed us with song and dance, so joyful for our arrival. We had a bit of a learning curve because the children are so smart and full with energy. We heard we would be surprised by this and boy were we!

After VBS, we took a tour of the Bondeni school. We took turns telling each class we visited our purpose for being there was to share the bright light of Jesus who lives in our hearts. As this was seen as giving something to them, they in turn each shared with us a song and memory verse. When told that Jesus loves them, they beamed and said, “Yes, we know!”

During our afternoon visits back in the Mathare community, our group met Ann and her grandson, Dominic. Ann had two children in the Bondeni school and a third child who was older. Ann lost her home in the floods earlier this year and was given just two days by the government to find a new one before hers was knocked down.  I shared with Ann that I had lost my home and many possessions following hurricane Matthew in 2016. She immediately told me that she was sorry for my loss, though hers was much more severe and recent. Fortunately Ann was able to find a small shanty about six feet wide and ten feet long where the five of them could sleep. All they own was piled up along the walls, the only items saved from the flood. Everything was covered with blankets in hopes that no one would move the piece of cloth covering the door, come in, and help themselves to anything.

For work, Ann had an umbrella stand where she sold items. She had to leave the stand unattended to welcome us into her home, again running the risk of theft, or loss of a sale. When asked for prayer requests, Ann said she needed to make more money in order to secure a bigger place to stay. It was difficult to imagine how five people slept in the space as we had a difficult time fitting our group inside standing up.

Dominic was all smiles and engaged with us instantly, as do nearly all of the children in the slums. The kids are free to walk around the area, often in pairs or small groups, and will approach you with smiles, hugs, and high fives, despite the known crime. My mind immediately went to children in America where saying hello or smiling at a child in a store or restaurant is often discouraged or even frowned upon. They give love so freely, offering complements, and do not seem to know a stranger. We have much to learn from these children.

A green and blue building, the colors of Mission of Hope International (MoHI), can be seen from most places in the slums. This represents hope and coming change to the area. The money we give monthly to sponsor a child takes us a few hours to earn in the United States,  but makes such an incredible difference in the life of the child, their family, and the entire community.  - Jennifer Wells