God is on the move

3-23-2012
Today we traveled to ACK Karangare Center. This was one of the best experiences of the entire trip, and my favorite center that we visited! We were greeted by a parade in the street a few blocks from the gate of the center. The women and children from the Child survival program were dancing and singing in the streets. They were singing in swahili and they were saying "you've traveled by airplane to get here, now we'll carry you on our backs the rest of the way." Such excitement, enthusiasm, and joy. The people were incredibly friendly and welcoming. They made us feel very at home. Parents shared their testimonies of incredible changed lives because of Compassion child survival program. One father's child was sick with TB, and malnutrition, and then finally found out that his son has cerebral palsy. He was not able to walk for a long time. Finally he started walking at the age of 4. One parent said if it weren't for the Compassion program she would not be alive today!
There was another woman who said "I came to Jesus because of the child survival program. And while I have no husband and am HIV positive, I wouldn't change a thing." Wow. How amazing that God is moving in this community.
We went on a home visit and it was incredible. They were so hospitable, welcoming, and thankful. They didn't have much, but their whole extended family knew we were coming so they came to greet us and be with us. What a blessing to hang out with these people. It couldn't have been scripted better. The mom had 2 kids. She showed us how to make a cough remedy using garlic, ginger, lemon, honey, and hot water. They sang songs for us! Such gracious people. The great grandma even came! Their home was very small, they had a kitchen in a separate room and a small garden that Compassion taught them how to grow. Compassion taught the mom different skills and things to use around the home. We learned about how they get their water and what the keep it in when they use it (leaky tin). It seems like every day we are here, it just gets better and better. I have been more impacted in the few days that I've been here than at any other time in my life.

When we got back to the center, I met a 3 year old boy named Benedict and his mother. We connected right away! I had a chance to talk a bit to the mother, who said that her son was not sponsored. We played together for a long time. He was so happy, laughing all the time. I played catch with both of them. It was a bit hard to understand her, but we made the best out of the time we had together. It was cool because a lot of these mothers never had the chance to be kids due to their circumstances, and so playing catch, playing with water balloons was such a great experience for them. I am now looking into sponsoring Benedict. He may have just graduated from CSP into the sponsorship program. I was looking for him before we left. Elizabeth got a video of him playing. So cute. We also met 4 of the 5 kids from packets Elizabeth had. What an amazing day. I have no words to say. God is truly on the move.