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Published: February 13th 2013
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A few weeks ago my mother (who spends endless hours volunteering for ITHM), my son (who is an African American), my friend Sheila Reeves (who’s time and talents are irreplaceable to ITHM) and I had the privilege to attend a dedication ceremony of a water well at Spring Valley Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. I only wish I could encapsulate the feelings that were evoked and shared at this amazing celebration and send them to you in pill form. That way you could share in the joy and gratefulness that was felt by all. And, if I could sell that pill I would be a gazillionare because depression has no chance in the face of all that joy. It started out by us arriving in true Kenyan form…late. Very late. This was because we couldn’t find Jono’s Dramamine (poor boy suffers car sickness in Texas where roads are flat and straight. You can imagine what the Nairobi roads that are stuffed with stop and go traffic, potholes, construction, no air conditioning and long hot drives did to him). We stopped at the pharmacy to purchase medicine however they didn’t accept credit cards for purchases under $10. So…we had to wait for the money exchange office to open which is supposed to open at 9 but never quite does. We finally got on the road only to sit in traffic and arrive 1 ½ hours late. However, that was not a problem because the ceremony that was supposed to end at noon ended at 3:00 p.m.
We snuck into the back of the crowded church hall and found a couple of plastic seats to park ourselves upon. I was sooooooooo thankful they didn’t escort us to the front where they had saved seats. We got to listen to first hand stories from people of the community on how Spring Valley slum has changed over the years. In 1999 the people were dropped off by city council in garbage trucks, onto a dump, after the land where they were living in their shanties was stolen from them. How was the land stolen you may ask? By a politician hiring someone to burn their shanties to the ground and the government telling them they must go. Human rights violations at their greatest… They told stories of how this dump had a stream flowing beside it…with a mixture of water and sewage The stream
This stream is comes from the city with factories allowing run off into the stream, sewers flowing in, etc. Some people gather water from this stream for use... and when the rains came they had to be extremely careful because the only source of clean water was on the other side of the cesspool. They had to cross with their water jugs if they wanted clean water. The kids that were sent for water had to find something to hold onto so as not to lose their footage and slide beneath the sewage stream that flowed forcefully during the rains. Some opted not to brave it and just used the stream water for cooking and cleaning.
Pastor Stanley and his wife found the people in this condition. The first year they volunteered with this group of people 418 children died. It was an area of death and disease. Yet, today…with city growth, development of a road nearby, increase of population and most of all the help of God and all those who have been moved to assist, Spring Valley is a much better place. There is progress. There are “homes” (shanties), schools, kiosks where they sell items, and there is life. Not one child has died of starvation since that first year of work. That was some 12 + years ago. As I sat among the The pump house
The water will be sold at a very reduced rate to the community. This way they can have clean water anytime instead of walking long distances to find not so clean water. physically poor, I realized that they may lack materially but, spiritually they are much richer than many that sit in cozy homes with plenty to eat. Their souls overflow with songs of gratitude and praise and joy even though they must walk to find water and they live in sparse dwellings. Meanwhile our closets overflow with shoes and clothes, our pantries with food while our souls may be just as empty as their pockets. Or, there are some with full souls but full of the equivalent of chips and soda…things that taste good going down but have no nutritious value. It is a good thing to help alleviate the suffering of others, and also to learn where we ourselves are lacking…then make the appropriate changes.
I was honored to get to witness such a celebration. To hear them describe the growth and help that came to the area through Pastor Stanley and Alice. They told of the pain of starving children and dying babies and of the joy the village felt when the children stopped dying. How things started turning around when someone cared enough to help them find food, then education. How their kids getting educated lifts them up from mental poverty, of feeling helpless and unable to make any changes in their lives.
Spring Valley Academy not only helps alleviate physical poverty but relational, emotional and spiritual poverty. That is why we love to partner with them. Lives cannot be changed with a simple handout but with a “hand up” that comes only through time, resources and relationship. I believe anyone reading this has the ability to offer one if not all of these. Another highlight of the trip was helping Maggie enroll in Kenyatta University. For those of you who have followed our work over the years, you know about Maggie. A bright and determined young lady who has not wallowed in self pity about hardships in her life, but has worked hard to graduate with good grades and to be accepted into the state University (which is harder to get into than private universities). Folks, this is a REALLY big achievement as it is stated that on average, in Kenya, children go to school for 9 or ten years. (Kenyaadvisor.com). Maggie may be the first in her family to have a high school education and is definately the first University student. She is Paul and Marty Sheppard
Getting ready to cut the ribbon. setting a great example for her two younger sisters.
HOREC is growing and trying out self sutaining projects. They have some kinks to work out but with four greenhouses and sufficient water they hope to start generating some of their operating costs soon. In a few weeks they will be opening a medical clinic to reach out to those in the community affected by HIV/AIDS. Their vision is endless when it comes to helping those in need. Thanks to all of you who care and offer your time, talents and/or treasures to support ITHM! As I have said before, by working together we are changing lives! If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help with any of the programs, projects and/or children, you can do the following: 1. Write a check to ITHM 23223 S. Warmstone Way Katy, TX 77493 2. Visit us at facebook.com/ITHMinc and click the “donate now” button to donate through Paypal with a credit card. Remember to click the “like” button as well. 3. And…if you do any online shopping, please download the “goodshop.com” toolbar and that way every time you shop on line, if you pick International Treasure House Ministries as your designated charity, we get a percentage of what you spend. Best thing yet…it costs you nothing! According to Readers Digest in 2010 a whopping $228 Billion dollars was spent on on-line purchases…
Once again. Thank you! Jennifer Phillips Lawrence
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