I want you to know Joan. I want everyone to meet Joan. She is inspiring, full of hope, seeking Jesus, and incredibly strong.
I meet Joan two years ago, she was in class 8. One Sunday, at the youth service, I was sharing about my mom getting cancer and passing away. I wanted them to know that I hurt like many of them hurt, but that God has a plan, a big plan, even in our earthly plan. Joan was in the back row and started crying. We sat and talked after service, I learned about both of her parent's dying and we had an inseparable bond since then.
This year is Joan's third year in 8th grade. The first year, she didn't score high enough on her test to go to high school. Then, her older sister who takes care of her couldn't pay for her to repeat 8th grade. When I got to Kibera last summer, Joan was sitting at home day after day, no school, no job, no hope. She looks lost, rough, like a 15 year old girl living in a slum with absolutely nothing. It was June and too late to register her for the end of the year test, so through lots of talks and semi-arguments, I convinced her to go to 8th grade for the rest of the year, and then repeat it for the 3rd time the next year.
When I showed up in March, I half expected for Joan not to be there, so not have enough hope to repeat for the third time. But then I saw her... beaming. She looked beautiful and full of life. I saw her perform as the head of the choir. She told me she's on the soccer team. The headmaster told me that use Joan as an example to the entire school of perserverance and hard work. She is now competing with two other girls to be the number one girl in the class, academically.
It's funny how God works. I can't tell you how bad I did not want to speak in front of the youth two years ago. I am no public speaker, especially about something so emotional to me. But He's bigger than my stupid fears. And He's worked through me to make this entire story happen. Crazy.
I'm writing this now because Joan's family needs prayer. Life is already hard enough in Kibera with no parents, living with an older sister who has a family of her own. To add on, two days ago Joan's other older sister came to their home from rural Kenya where she had been living. She is pregnant, had been married for a few months when her husband ran her out. He said that he had nothing to do with the pregnancy, told her to abort the baby and when she wouldn't forced her to leave. Her sister is depressed and doesn't want to be alive right now. Joan, a girl who tries to hold all her sadness in, is torn up. I don't know what to do or what to tell her besides that we would be praying on her behalf. Please pray...
Jesus' call is to go and make disciples of all nations. To feed the poor. To clothe the naked. To heal the sick. To imitate Christ. To love. To bring the light that is Him. God has called me to Kibera, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya.

Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
From Brittany Smith
I already miss all my high school youth that were here the past 2 weeks! In particular, the Smith sisters. I hope you read the last story from Alyssa Smith, here is how her older sister, Brittany, was impacted during her time in Kibera.
"Here is a story about an event that really impacted me during my two weeks in Kibera.
During the first week in Kibera, we put on a camp for all of the kids at the New Hope Primary School. After the message we gave to the older kids (classes 6-8), we split the kids into smaller groups. I had the privilege to speak to a group of grade 7 girls. I didn't really know where to start so i asked them simple questions about Jesus, and then came to a stopping point. Out of a need to say something to fill the silence, i asked "Does anyone have any questions?". To my surprise one girl, Grace, spoke up and said,"A lot of my friends cannot afford to attend school, and i know they will probably live in poverty for the rest of their lives. How can YOU help them?". I was dumbfounded. I had no idea what to tell her, so i sat there. Eventually, i told her that i did not know what i could do to help them, and i was terribly sorry. But later on that week, I petitioned the Lord about it. I realized, i was right on my own i could do nothing to help Grace and her friends. But with our God, anything is possible.
At the end of the first week, i found Grace again. I pulled her aside, and told her there was not much I alone could do for her, but with God anything is possible. I shared some verses of comfort and hope with her, and prayed for the protection and well being of the lives of her friends. I think it is safe to say that i learned to rely on God as much as Grace did that day. I cannot be more thankful for what He is doing in my life, as well as in the kid's lives in Kibera."
-Brittany Smith
I also wanted to share how Brittany affected me while she was here. First of all, she is amazing, and I'm pretty positive she will be living in another country serving the Lord at some point in her life. On our last night here, we were having final debrief. Brittany was sharing about her time, and said she was so impacted by the hope and determination and passion of the children in Kibera to change their future. This won't be perfect, but the best from my memory, "I am blown away by the hope that the children have and their hard work and determination. I can't give that to them, and they already have so much of it. However, I can provide the other half that they don't have, the resources to help them get that future they have this hope for. I want to go home and meet the half that they are missing. Because I can't provide the hard work, but they don't have the resources." Sorry Brit, that's not exact. But I can't stop thinking about that. And it's so true. We aren't here to inspire these children or give them life, we aren't doing anything great. He is already working to give them an unbelievable hope. However, He has given us the resources, the money and people and supplies, and it's our choice to use those resources to meet them halfway.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Engineer Brian
Written by Alyssa Smith
6/18/2010
I’d like to tell a story about my relationship with a boy names Brian. Brian is a student at New Hope Primary School in Kibera where he excels in class eight as the highest scoring student. He aspires to be an engineer and a pilot when he gets older and he wants to move to the U.S. Brian lives with his uncle and step-mom in a small house in Kibera; his journey to Kibera is truly heartbreaking. When Brian was a toddler, his father abandoned him and his mother died when he was ten years old. After the loss of his parents, Brian moved to the Kibera slum at the age of 12 where he currently lives with his uncle and step-mom. Ever since Brian moved to Kibera, his uncle and step-mom have been financially unstable. Nevertheless, Brian’s uncle encourages him to conquer all difficulties life throws toward him and to achieve all his goals. Brian is an extremely hard worker at everything he does, including school, sports, and extracurricular activities. The New Hope Primary School is very proud to have Brian as their student and expects him to achieve excellence at everything he attempts.
6/18/2010
I’d like to tell a story about my relationship with a boy names Brian. Brian is a student at New Hope Primary School in Kibera where he excels in class eight as the highest scoring student. He aspires to be an engineer and a pilot when he gets older and he wants to move to the U.S. Brian lives with his uncle and step-mom in a small house in Kibera; his journey to Kibera is truly heartbreaking. When Brian was a toddler, his father abandoned him and his mother died when he was ten years old. After the loss of his parents, Brian moved to the Kibera slum at the age of 12 where he currently lives with his uncle and step-mom. Ever since Brian moved to Kibera, his uncle and step-mom have been financially unstable. Nevertheless, Brian’s uncle encourages him to conquer all difficulties life throws toward him and to achieve all his goals. Brian is an extremely hard worker at everything he does, including school, sports, and extracurricular activities. The New Hope Primary School is very proud to have Brian as their student and expects him to achieve excellence at everything he attempts.
I first met Brian at New Hope during house visitations; it was destined for me to go to Brian’s home and become the great friends we are today. The group of us journeyed through the alleys of Kibera ten minutes or so and reached the small house of Brian. I saw Brian take his shoes off before he entered so, out of respect, I did the same. I later found out it was not necessary. By doing so, I felt honored to enter his one room home where there was a curtain dividing a small bed from a couch and a coffee table. A trash pile was leaning over me as I sat on the couch comfortably, Brian on the floor leaving on my legs. We shared for an hour or so about Brian and his history and what we could do to improve his financial situation; then we went outside his home to take a picture and head back to New Hope. Something special about Brian struck my heart and I truly enjoyed the time spent with he and his family.
The next few days I gingerly passed by Brian, exchanging hellos and hugs until one day he approached me while I was sitting with some class six girls. He pulled me aside, gave me a hug, told me he really enjoyed the kindness I had showed him at his house by taking my shoes off, and the handed me a note. One this note he mentioned that he truly appreciated the little time we had spent together and he said he wanted to learn more about me and where I come from. He said he would like to stay connected somehow when I journey back to Texas so that he could tell me that, as he stated, “Brian has passed his exams with flying colours!” This note meant so much to me that it impacted my heart while standing before him. I felt like I had made a great friend with someone who I knew so little about yet knew so much.
A few days later during Sports Camp for classes 6, 7, and 8, Brian approached me with a bag and another note. Before this, I had written a short note to Brian explaining how proud I was of his accomplishments in school and how inspiring it was to see this young boy working so hard for a life that was very unlikely for a kid who lives in Kibera. My note obviously meant a lot to him. He created a periscope for me out of cardboard, a shoe box, elmer’s glue, duct tape, and 2 pieces of broken glass. This periscope was possibly the best gift I have ever received from anyone in my life. This was the most thoughtful thing I could think of, even though it was basically made out of trash. I read his note a thousand times because of all the generosity and love that he had put into making this gift for me. Also, Brian had written out a list of English to Swahili translations on the note because he had remembered me saying that I was interested about learning his native language. At the end of the note he had written, “I love you so much and I will never never forget you.” This broke my heart. For anyone to show that amount of compassion because of the small things I had done for him is truly inspiring.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
PENDA Youth Camp
Starting yesterday, we’ve had the PENDA YOUTH CAMP. It’s been amazing! We’ve had the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from New Hope School in Kibera and played volleyball, soccer, netball, basketball, Frisbee, and all sorts of camp games. The joy on the faces of the children will be forever imprinted in my brain. But more than the sports, I think what will stick with the kids in the hours of Christ’s love that they have felt. I think Jesus loved in everything He did, and has called us to the do the same.
My favorite moment of the camp was after Joan, a precious girl in class 8, twisted her ankle. I went to sit with her and she couldn’t bear to tell me that she was hurt. She just sat there holding her ankle looking at me with these eyes that were on the verge of welling with tears. This is a girl who is loud, outgoing, and super loving all the time. I got to talk to her (and when I say that, I literally mean just me talking to her, there was no talking from her) and just over and over again tell her it’s okay to be weak, it’s okay to admit pain, it’s okay to be vulnerable. I could tell that not talking about the pain of her ankle was way deeper than just a sprained ankle. I told her that I knew she was hurting, and that because she was in pain and hurting, I was hurting the same. And my heart really hurt, and even though we didn’t really have a breakthrough, I felt this overwhelming compassion and hurt that could only be Christ in me. I felt this hurt for Joan’s suffering. I felt this overwhelming sadness for her pain. I wanted to just comfort her and love her and cover her like our Father looks down on us and loves us. I have been praying for the Spirit to speak, work, and love through me and was so encouraged that my life was put aside and His compassion was felt and shown through me.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Day Five in Kibera
Here is a recap of the last 3 days...
Wednesday:
In the morning we did some tutoring with students in 8th grade. In Kenya, you have to pass a standardized national exam to pass all of primary school (1-8th) and get into high school. Talk about a big test! We worked on lots of math and English with some of the students who have not been passing the practice exams.
The medical team that is with us also did an abstinence program with the older boys and girls in the primary school, which went awesome! There was lots of unexpected knowledge, lots of truth, and questions.
The Well youth team worked on making bead with the girls in 7th grade for Krafts for Kibera. Krafts for Kibera is crafts that the students make that we bring back to America to sell with a picture and bio of the students to raise money to improve the primary school and help with some tuition.
Today, was also the first day of electives. We are starting a computer, fitness, art, music, and sewing class this summer, that we hope can continue to be taught when we leave. Even though I am teaching fitness, I think 90% of the students wanted to take computer, and am really excited they are getting to learn about computers. Even in Kenya to get hired for most quality jobs, you need to know how to use a computer. We had to improvise a little for music and art because our teacher isn't here yet and Brent Phillips taught music and Abby Wilkerson and Kayla Jones taught art and did amazing!
Thursday:
We took the Well Youth team went on a safari and then to a giraffe sanctuary. I think almost all of us kissed the giraffes! And we learned that giraffes can kill a lion in one kick, I think I have a new favorite animal.
Friday:
Today looked a lot like Wednesday. We did tutoring, finished up crafts (be on the lookout for some really cute magazine bracelets), and have our second elective classes. Robin and Avery Hawthorne also taught a dance camp with 15 girls ages 8-11 and taught them the Hoedown Throwdown by Miley Cyrus. It was completely adorable! The entire school wanted to watch the whole camp.
We also visited homes with some of the 8th grade students. This was a time of great relationship building and emotionally exhausting. I visited a Victor and Mercy's home. They are brother/sister both in 8th grade. They live with their mother in Kibera after being kicked off their grandparents plot of land upcountry when their grandfather died. When they moved, their father's family told their mother she should kill her children because it would be easier for her. After then moving again, Victor and Mercy's father left in 2004 to live with his family again and they have not seen him since. When their uncle died, their mother took in 3 of their cousins. Their family moved from one home in Kibera to a smaller room that is actually owned by the church. There are currently 8 people living in their maybe 10 ft x 10 ft room. As I write room, I again realize that this room is their entire house. There is no kitchen, no bathroom, no shower, no bed, one wooden chair and one wooden bench, no lights, no appearance of clothes anywhere or really anything anywhere. It was heartbreaking. I have never seen something so bare, sad, and hopeless even in Kibera. But then, as I'm walking back to the school I find out that Mercy is competing to be the top girl in their class and wants to be an engineer. Later, Victor was in my fitness class and was the only boy to continuously remember what agility was, and the different muscles that I taught them. I was reminded of the hope only Christ can provide. There is absolutely NO WAY you can have joy and hope in those conditions without Jesus and your hope in something beyond earth.
Wednesday:
In the morning we did some tutoring with students in 8th grade. In Kenya, you have to pass a standardized national exam to pass all of primary school (1-8th) and get into high school. Talk about a big test! We worked on lots of math and English with some of the students who have not been passing the practice exams.
The medical team that is with us also did an abstinence program with the older boys and girls in the primary school, which went awesome! There was lots of unexpected knowledge, lots of truth, and questions.
The Well youth team worked on making bead with the girls in 7th grade for Krafts for Kibera. Krafts for Kibera is crafts that the students make that we bring back to America to sell with a picture and bio of the students to raise money to improve the primary school and help with some tuition.
Today, was also the first day of electives. We are starting a computer, fitness, art, music, and sewing class this summer, that we hope can continue to be taught when we leave. Even though I am teaching fitness, I think 90% of the students wanted to take computer, and am really excited they are getting to learn about computers. Even in Kenya to get hired for most quality jobs, you need to know how to use a computer. We had to improvise a little for music and art because our teacher isn't here yet and Brent Phillips taught music and Abby Wilkerson and Kayla Jones taught art and did amazing!
Thursday:
We took the Well Youth team went on a safari and then to a giraffe sanctuary. I think almost all of us kissed the giraffes! And we learned that giraffes can kill a lion in one kick, I think I have a new favorite animal.
Friday:
Today looked a lot like Wednesday. We did tutoring, finished up crafts (be on the lookout for some really cute magazine bracelets), and have our second elective classes. Robin and Avery Hawthorne also taught a dance camp with 15 girls ages 8-11 and taught them the Hoedown Throwdown by Miley Cyrus. It was completely adorable! The entire school wanted to watch the whole camp.
We also visited homes with some of the 8th grade students. This was a time of great relationship building and emotionally exhausting. I visited a Victor and Mercy's home. They are brother/sister both in 8th grade. They live with their mother in Kibera after being kicked off their grandparents plot of land upcountry when their grandfather died. When they moved, their father's family told their mother she should kill her children because it would be easier for her. After then moving again, Victor and Mercy's father left in 2004 to live with his family again and they have not seen him since. When their uncle died, their mother took in 3 of their cousins. Their family moved from one home in Kibera to a smaller room that is actually owned by the church. There are currently 8 people living in their maybe 10 ft x 10 ft room. As I write room, I again realize that this room is their entire house. There is no kitchen, no bathroom, no shower, no bed, one wooden chair and one wooden bench, no lights, no appearance of clothes anywhere or really anything anywhere. It was heartbreaking. I have never seen something so bare, sad, and hopeless even in Kibera. But then, as I'm walking back to the school I find out that Mercy is competing to be the top girl in their class and wants to be an engineer. Later, Victor was in my fitness class and was the only boy to continuously remember what agility was, and the different muscles that I taught them. I was reminded of the hope only Christ can provide. There is absolutely NO WAY you can have joy and hope in those conditions without Jesus and your hope in something beyond earth.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Second Day in Kibera!
We are here in NAIROBI!! Yeahhh! It was our 2nd day in Kibera today with The Well Youth Group. Wanted to give an update of our first two days after arriving here safely after lots of traveling. Our first day was spent learning about the history, touring the primary school, high school, and the Kibera slum. Today, we did a day camp for the entire primary school and tutored the high school scholarship students. It was a day of fun, craziness, and lots of great relationship building! Here are some pictures from the day and entries from two high school girls on the trip...
Kayla Jones, recent graduate from Hays High School in Hays, Texas
So, today we did a camp for the whole school and it was the most fun I've had, maybe ever! We played games that are so common to us, yet to see the joy that these kids were experiencing was indescribable. My team didn't win a single competition, but they were screaming and jumping and laughing the entire time! We also got to sing and do a bible story for them. I got to share a short testimony about joy in Christ. Afterward we all got to break into small groups and talk about the lesson. I got to ask them questions about God and the Bible and share the gospel with them. And best of all, got to pray with them and over them! I thought I would feel sorry for these people as I walked through the streets and saw their living conditions, but I didn'y feel bad for them. They don't know any different and their are so happy. The simplicity of their life intrigues me.
Taylor Koch, a senior at One Day Academy in Austin, Texas
So, I'm trying to compose my thoughts. Trying to write in words how these kids have impacted me. But it's hard to put something so mind blowing into words. The thing that stands out the most to me has been their joy. They have such a light about them, and it follows them wherever they go. Abby and I sat down with a group of 8th grade girls today, and we were told to talk to them about the presence of Jesus in their heart. We asked them if they knew what that meant, for Jesus to be in their heart. And this girl named Joan who always wears a white a white beanie looked at us and said " Jesus is the one who makes me clean, he makes all those things I did bad gone, and I prayed to him and I knew I had been forgiven. That my friends is God. I saw God in her. I saw it in one of it's simplest, yet most pure and beautiful forms.
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