Street boys and the women of Salgaa

A post from team member, Cooper Clark...

Today was filled with adventure and heartbreak. This morning, after breakfast, we ventured to a small church right outside Salgaa. The team was prepared to share their drama, as well as personal testimonies. After a quick time of worship and introductions: "Habari Zenu!" we left to go into the heart of Salgaa where the women usually meet a few times a week. To allow the women time to travel, Pastor Brian, Head Pastor of the AGC church across from the Baby Centre, took us to a boys' home. The boys' home was an unexpected stop, but a blessing nonetheless. The boys who reside there, about 15-20 of various ages ranging from elementary students to college age, are from the streets. Chris, farm manager and second in command, told us how the boys' home came to be and how it is sustained. The history of the boys' home is one not unlike our own journey to Kenya. Ten years ago a group of Americans came to Kenya and played soccer with a few boys on the street for the day. At the end of the day the Americans asked the kids where their homes were. They came to find out that the boys lived on the same street where they were playing soccer. The Americans returned home and eventually raised enough money to start a feeding program three days a week, along with a worship service after the meals. Over a decade the feeding program still occurs, but it spawned  a boys' home for the same type of boys on the street. Unfortunately our visit to the boys' home was brief and we had to head into Salgaa.

Salgaa is crowded and filled with a jumble of shops selling everything imaginable. Our meeting took place in a small second story room. The small room eliminated the drama, but the testimonies were still in play. Mikayla, Mallory, Kari, and Nancy all shared touching stories of their personal struggles with the women through the translator, Pastor Brian. Each testimony emphasized the value of the women of Salgaa and their beauty to God. The women were touched by the stories and supporting scriptures. Cards were then distributed with the phrase: "Daughter of a King" in Swahili; American chocolate was also shared. Kristy was welcomed back into the fold as one of the "sisters" and the whole group was glad of her return (a few years ago Kristy was a guest of the AGC Baby Centre for a year and helped with the ministry to the women of Salgaa). After a short song and prayer to end the service, the team was allowed to purchase goods like bracelets, necklaces, and purses that the women had made.

The trek back to the Baby Centre for lunch was followed by loving on the babies and little toddlers. Today there were lots of photo-bombs and embarrassing faces made by unsuspecting team members attempting to bring a smile to the kids' faces.