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.