Thursday, June 12, 2008

Mudders


Most walls in Kibera are made from mud packed in and supported by small poles nailed to the wall studs. When this mud dries, its amazingly resistant to erosion, but they do need maintenance. Most mud walls in Kibera need this man’s help – but alas, there’s little money to pay for his skills. He may earn 2 dollars a day.

Beer Haulers


We really hate to see this. One bottle of Kenya “Tuskers” costs about $ 1.25 -- a days wage for many people in Kibera. Yet this stuff is consumed regularly in the many bars in Kibera. Illegal alcohol is brewed and sold publically without any resistence from the police. People without hope find what little resources they do have slipping through their fingers.

Mountain climbing in the neighborhood


Much of the Katwikera village in Kibera has these steep slopes that make life a bit challenging. This is the way to the only Baptist Church in the Kibera slums. I’m glad I’ve never had to traverse it in the dark!

The daily dilemma of sewage


Everyday someone has to take a shovel along the many open sewers of Kibera and pick the garbage up out of the drains onto the pathways or the fluids will back up into homes. The smells vary from place to place and time to time. Hot sunny weather helps the smell. Lots of rain helps move solids downhill. Life goes on.

Mud Sledding


Kibera children can find fun anywhere. A little rain. A little mud. A steep slope. You can have a good time on a Sunday afternoon with a little help from some friends.

Islamic Evangelism



There are not many Muslims in Kibera, but they have lots of money. Recently they bribed government officials then evicted a church in Kibera that had been on that location for 17 years. Kibera Christrians fear them too much to evangelize among them. And they keep acquiring land in Nairobi legally and by other means to build more Mosques.

Pastor Charles Onyang


Charles is a dear friend and partner in our ministry in Kibera. He has lived there for 20 years, working in civil service to support his family while pastoring in one of the toughest parish in Nairobi. Revival Pentacostal Church in Katwikera, Kibera has become the mother of many churches all over Kenya, in the Congo, Tanzania, and yes even India! He has recently graduated from Bible college. Celebrate with me God’s calling on His life. And may God multiply such leaders throughout the slums of the world!!!