Day 2

Today I went with the Fox River group to the Crossroads center in Vipingo. As we walked off the bus the children were there to greet us with a special song, similar to what we experienced in Bomani. We were then seated in the church area. The children, teachers, staff, pastor, missionaries and Fox River group sang songs together. I was having so much fun when the children taught us their song and the expressive motions to the song. Each one of us in the group mimicked the movements of the children and sang in unity. American adults, children and missionaries sang together with African teachers, staff and children. Thereafter, the children proceeded to sing songs to us. Their performances were beautifully harmonious and inspiring. I enjoy no sound better than the sound of these African children singing together in this way.

After the performances, the children went in their classrooms. There is KG-1, KG-2, KG-3, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Each person from the Fox River group was assigned a classroom to work with for the day. During this time the children were able to work on art projects, play with a large parachute, and receive a toothbrush and lessons on how to use it. Donna taught an amazing message to the children on encouraging their family and neighbors. The teachers will continue this lesson when we leave. It is so important for them to learn good things like that to spread in their community and to live by.

At 12:00 sharp lunch is served for the students, teachers and staff. We all served the children lunch. While I was passing dishes, Unice invited me into the kitchen to help her put food in the dishes for the children. There was a huge pot of cooked rice and green peas. She placed the rice in the bowl and I placed the cooked peas on top of the rice. As we were working I realized in my heart how many children were being fed. While placing the food in the bowls I thought, “each one of these full plates is helping a child that would otherwise be starving get to eat.” The thought was overwhelming. Even though I knew there were about 200 kids there, it did not touch me fully until I was serving them. 200 is just a number. However, 200 lives changed for the better, 200 stomachs that will be full instead of empty when they leave school, 200 precious children with potential that may go unnoticed otherwise, being fed in this amazing school is way more than just a number. The impact of that thought is hard to grasp because it is such a huge blessing in these children’s lives to receive this goodness and they are so thankful. I started a short conversation with Unice while serving the children. She is a very hard worker. She told me that she loves us and is so thankful to work there at the center. It has changed her live in such a positive way.

When lunch was complete we played with the kids a little more, then went out into the nearby communities. We had fliers inviting everyone to our community outreach day on Saturday. We walked through the nature of Kenya, it was a beautiful sight. We were looking at the green trees and plantation under the sunlight on a dirt road walking toward the community. As people walked by we gave them fliers and welcomed them to the celebration. Everyone was very friendly. They seemed to enjoy being invited. Soon children started to come by us to see what was happening. As our journey continued children followed us. The community had many hut houses. The grounds were mostly grass with dirt pathways leading through the small community. By the time we were done walking through, we had about 30 children following us, holding our hands and simply enjoying our company, despite the language barrier.

As the day came to an end we packed up the suitcases we brought along and said goodbye to our friends. The Fox River group loaded in the bus opened the windows to wave at the children. They sang a cute goodbye song; we all said our goodbyes in unity. To my recollection, I did not see one face that was not smiling between the group of children and our group as we departed. What an amazing day.