Home Sweet Home

Home is a word that brings different reactions and memories to people. When I was a child home was always where my mom, dad and sister were. For some it is the nicest house on the block with the best everything, and for others it is the first place make their own.

Sadly for many Kenyan children it the place they get to sleep just for the night. More and more Michael and I are meeting kids known as "street children." They are either dropped of by their parents in the middle of town to beg, children trying to survive on their own, or preteens who are controlled by adults to con people. It is a heart wrenching situation and my first reaction is to try to get a van and rescue as many as I can. However, the likely hood of that working is slim to none. When you consider the guardians would have me arrested for kidnapping, and many of the kids don't think they can ever leave that life. So what is the solution? Brace yourself for a cliche..."I am choosing to be a voice." Taking the time to tell YOU their stories. Michael and I told people many times if we do nothing else we will tell the stories of the children of Kenya.

So Today I just happen to have two. One is about Jane a girl who is being used by others. She came so close to letting go of that life. You see I had the chance to spend some time with her and listen to her story. To tell her she is loved, she is not bad, and she has a hope and a future. As we spoke I watched brick by brick fall away from her heart and her spirit. She was so close to going for help, but then her phone rang. Most likely the people over her checking in. It was like someone turned on a switch and she walked way.....right back into that life.
Around that same time we met James a young man that lost his mother and father in the post election violence in Kenya. For those that don't know the violence included neighbors killing each other and setting fire to homes. Many in his case would be bitter and turn from God, but he has not. He is apart of one of the IPHC children's homes where he is learning and growing.

So here you have two stories with completely different outcomes. I must admit after meeting and praying for both Jane and James, I am truly humbled. My eyes are even more opened to the blessings I take for granted. Even something as simple as....Home Sweet Home.