Experiencing Mukuru

Greetings from Nairobi!

We made it. After 36 hours of traveling, we made it. We arrived in Nairobi late last night (Wednesday) and since we are only here in Kenya for a couple of days there is no time to waste. We were up and out the door by 7 am and headed for the slums. Sports Outreach has a school in the slums and they gather each morning to begin with devotions and worship before working with the school children. We were privileged enough to join them.

After devotions we split up into three groups: a group who stayed at the school to work with the children, a group that went out into the slums to make home visits and a group that went out into the slums to meet with HIV positive women. I got to go with this group. We met 5 different women all with similar stories and the same toughness: strong women, infected with HIV most likely by their husbands, all of whom had left or died. Our job: simply to encourage. In moments like those when you struggle for words to speak to encourage a seemingly hopeless situation the words of David and Paul in the Psalms, Ephesians and Philippians become extremely important.

This morning Cat, one of our group leaders, gave the devotion on her love for Peter and his story being one of great redemption after he denied Christ 3 times and then becomes one of the disciples that is the most bold. Therefore, we should go forward in boldness. I am very proud of the way our players stepped up in boldness today; jumping right in to everything they were asked to do…both the fun and the uncomfortable alike.

Tomorrow is our last day in Kenya and is extremely full. We begin again at 7 am with devotions and worship at the school. That is followed by running a clinic for hundreds of slum kids, a match against a women’s team, the sharing of testimonies, food and then jumping on a plane to head to Uganda. I will share more when we get there.

For now, if you would like to join us in prayer here are some things we could use prayer for:

- “You need to be ready in every season to share a good word.” (Rodney Suddith) Pray that we would continue to be aware of what God is doing in our lives so that we can share it with those we come into contact with.

- That we would bring Peace and encouragement to all those we come into contact with.

- For the Sports Outreach Staff in Africa as they host us (it’s ALOT of work!).

Thanks for joining us!

Until next time,

Kristi Kiely

* love you mom.
** Jody and Lisa- great to see Jenny and Tine. They made it with us!