Thursday, August 28, 2008

FEEDING PROGRAM at KIPSONGO





When you enter the broken backdoor at Pastor John’s Caanon Church in Kipsongo Slums, you immediately are greeted by 200 + tiny chocolate faces.

The number of kids is deceiving because, frankly, they are so very little and only take up a few rows in the wood and mud building. Then you start counting...

The daily feeding program supplies 2 meals for kids between 1 and 3 years of age and in most cases it is the ONLY food they will ever see.

Their moms are nowhere to be found…maybe scavenging for something of some worth in the dump…maybe drinking ‘changa’, the local brew…maybe worse…much worse.

Their dads, if they were EVER around, are long gone…off to Lodwar…off to town…just off…permanently off.

We brought two 90 kilo bags of maize and beans…a good mix of carbs and protein…along with cooking oil and ugali, a Kenya staple, sugar and rice for future days.

Allison, Caroline, Chris, Daina, and Megan jumped right in and began serving…and cuddling…and hanging with these very sweet kids.

Not one bean or kernel of maize remained an hour later…

No ‘finnecky’ eaters in this group.

I like feeding kids…they are so dang happy to be with you and so grateful for whatever comes their way.

“For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water…”

Matthew 25:35

Mobile Medical Clinic at Kipsongo

It’s 1pm on Monday afternoon…

Rain pours down on an already-soaked slum…

Hundreds of hurting folks wait, patiently…sorry for that pun, but it was begging to be thrown in…

Up rolls the medical team…

Sister Freda’s Mobile Medical Team…with a few borrowed hands from abroad…

* Umida from Uzbekistan

* Julia from Ukraine

* Graciella and Ron from the OC

The medical needs are overwhelming to a rookie, but the team just wades in and starts assessments…

  • cholera
  • tb
  • malaria
  • typhoid
  • std's
  • worms
  • jiggers
  • fever
  • diarrhea.

Freda’s treatment team systematically and lovingly cares for and prays for EVERY person there.

She doesn’t rush or linger…

She doesn’t fall into pity or self doubt…

She just does what God designed her to do.

Comfort the Afflicted