Therefore, Humble Yourselves Like Children

Week one in Mathare has flown by. We started out our time going through orientation in five different departments. The departments are Community Health Evangelism (CHE), Spiritual Development and Counseling, Social Work, and Microfinance. It was great to see how all of the different departments are helping people in such different ways.After the orientations, I was placed in social work for half the time I am here and in counseling the other half.

The Kenyans we are working with have been very welcoming. Last Friday the host missionaries, Keith and Kathy Ham, had us over for dinner and they made us spaghetti and meatballs. It was fun to get to know them and hear about what all they do. Mary and Wallace Kamau are the nationals who started Missions of Hope International (MOHI). They have a huge heart for people and genuinely care for each individual they come in contact with. I have not had much time to talk with them but they have invited us over for dinner tonight. Our group as a whole will get to know them better and hear more about how they decided God was calling them to start MOHI.

Over the last few days I have been able to spend some time with some amazing children. I got the opportunity to teach them songs and games and in return they taught me some songs and they also taught me how to dance.It was great to see the excitement they had in their faces. They are so innocent and joyful even after all they have seen and lived through. Seeing and realizing this reminds me of the verses in Matthew 18:3-4 which says, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Our minds have been corrupted by the things of this world and God has called us to humble ourselves like these children in the midst of it all. It literally breaks my heart to see a child so hungry that they have to resort to eating styrafoam or plastic and they think nothing of it. These children are running around giggling and singing joyful songs. They are the ones who truly know what it means to be humble.

This has shown me that I don't need worldly possessions to make me happy. If I hand everything over to God He will take care of it in the best way possible. The people of Mathare are welcoming and very kind and it is going to be a changing summer being able to get to know these people more and getting to talk with them. God has called each and every one of us to the places we are and there is a specific reason He has called us. I am excited to see where God is going to take us interns this summer and what He is going to reveal to us.

Ok supporters, I need your support. One of our interns has an idea and the rest of our group realized that it was a good idea. We have decided that in a few weeks we are going to fast from food all day and we would like for all of you to join us. We are going to fast from sun-up to sun-down on Friday, July 6th. If you are not able to fast the whole day maybe you could fast a meal, the TV, music, or even your cell phone. The reason for doing this is so that we will be reminded to pray for the people of Mathare and really focus on God during the times we would regularly eat. I just ask that you please consider and pray for this to see if this is something you would be willing to do. Also, please continue praying for our team and the people of Mathare.
 Until next time, God Bless!

In Him,
Alicia