Monday, September 26 - Eastleigh

Monday, September 26, 2011 – Eastleigh

It was our first day to journey into Eastleigh.  The roads were full of potholes and there was a lot of hustle and bustle as people were going in every direction.  For the most, part our day went very well. Everyone at the community centre was very welcoming.   Under the direction of a new Director, the community centre is getting a much needed facelift.  Gravel had been spread to cover most of the dirt. Buildings were being painted, picket fences erected and the event centre is getting a ceramic floor.  The Iftin Ladies have moved to a different building with the Noor ladies, who make the wonderful jewelry, next door.  We toured the vocational school which consists of catering management, automotive repair, computer, hair dressing, electrical, carpentry, etc.  After an introduction with Farris, the manager of the vocational school, we proceeded to our various assigned activities. 

We were told to make “flexibility” our theme word.  Don and John experienced this to the fullest as they had expected to be with Class 8 and found out at the last minute that instead of having 27 students they had 37 from two classes.  However they still had a wonderful time with the students.  They played a name game and survivor team building exercise.  The kids really enjoyed the survivor game.  They interacted well, thought through their decisions, did good problem solving using their group dynamics working cooperatively.  Don and John were pleased at how well the students related to them and to the team building activities.

Joy, Julie, Nick and Lila worked with the Iftin ladies, where all the students had to introduce themselves in English and say something about themselves.  In groups we did a grammar exercise thinking of adjectives using the first letter of our names. 

After lunch, Don and Joy went on a home visit while the others started to paint the Iftin and Noor rooms.  The rooms are very dull right now but will be very bright and inviting when the painting is completed.

Don and Joy’s visited a home where 3 adults and 11 children shared 2 rooms and a kitchen.  The mother was from Somalia and told us she enjoys being in Eastleigh because she doesn’t hear gunshots every day.  We took her a care package consisting of flour, salt, oil, powered milk, rice and candies for the kids.  She is very concerned that 4 of her children are not in school.  We ended our visit with a prayer for the family.

It was a very exhausting day for all of us both emotionally and physically.  It is hard to get used to the sights and sounds of Eastleigh.

Tonight we went to the Kenny’s home for a traditional Kenyan dinner.  Once again the food was exceptional.

Your prayers are gratefully appreciated.  Please continue praying for us as we visit Eastleigh tomorrow.  Please pray that God will help us to see the people there as He sees them.

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