Blessed Beyond Measure

Saturday, July 5, 2014 21:00KST/18:00UTC/14:00EDT

Once again, I am unable to find the right words to describe my experiences today.  This is obviously a frustrating predicament for a writer. I saw so much and experienced so much, but yet, while there are surely words to describe the visit to Strong Tower Children's Home, my fear is that any adjective I would offer would be either too melodramatic or, fail to adequately convey the concept.

First of all, with your mind's eye consider any picture you have ever seen of children living in an environment that looks for all the world like a landfill.  Then with your mind's ears, imagine the sounds of children at recess on an American elementary school playground. Now merge these two seemingly incongruous things together.  Children living in squalor (by American standards) but deliriously happy.  When you understand where they come from, however, you come to see how this environment, while not something that we would necessarily find acceptable, is so much better than where they were, their joy is understandable.  Here they have found safety. Here they have a dry, warm place to sleep. Here they have three meals a day. But most of all, here they are loved.  They have been blessed beyond measure.  It has been proven time and time again in a myriad of circumstances, that people can endure things that would seem to be unbearable if they know they are loved and that someone cares about them.

The story of Paul and Martha Ndungu and the formation of Strong Tower Childrens Home is worthy of a book.  Unable to have children because of a sad and traumatic history of her own, Martha saw the street children in her village of Naivasha and began to feed them, clothe them, and love them.  In time, and with the strong support of her husband, they began an orphanage.  It was a rough and tough beginning, but they persevered.  These street children, always the first "usual suspects" whenever there was a theft or other crime in the town, carried that stigma with them to the orphanage which the locals presumed to be an organized crime training center.  In time, love prevailed and today the local law enforcement are allies of Strong Tower.

Our "fly-by" one day visit was an eye-opener for us all, even those who had been many times before.  For us first-timers, there was the anticipated shock over the conditions, but to the veterans, there was surprise and joy at the progress that had been made.  Our visit, not unlike a USO tour stop at a military base, was to bring a day of fun and games, stories and personal time with the children.  As the designated photographer/videographer, I was never at a loss for "moments" to capture.

One activity was particularly noteworthy.  In the US, right now there is a growing fad for children to make "rubber and jewelry."  We brought some of these supplies with us.  Watching the children making rings, bracelets and jewelry from little rubber bands was fascinating in two respects: how quickly they learned the weaving process, and how eager they were to teach and help their friends who needed coaching.  As leaders, we ended up with little to do but watch and be amazed after the initial orientation.  I would wager that there was a total investment of twenty-five dollars in supplies that brought delight and joy to nearly twice that number of children.  Afterwards and throughout the afternoon we would see the children, from 3 to 16, proudly wearing their new creations, some of which were amazingly intricate and ornate.

We brought along a playground parachute that the children enjoyed playing with, as well as markers an paper for drawing pictures and face paint.  What we received in return was a day full of love-filled, exuberant children who couldn't give us enough hugs and handshakes when it was time to go.  The ride back to the hotel was quiet as we reflected on the experiences of the day and because of the exhaustion.  For me the images of the day will stay with me for a long time.

Please pray for Paul and Martha and their ministry.  Pray for their children and the continued development of the orphanage.  Pray especially for two young men who are now "graduates" of the orphanage, and are working and attending technical schools to become tradesmen.  One is becoming an electrician and the other is working as an apprentice in flooring and tile.  They have promising, self-supporting futures now, something they could never have imagined a few short years ago.