February, 2001

Click on any image for a full-sized view 

One of the most significant adventures I had this month was on the streets of downtown Nairobi. Relationships with people living or begging on the streets is a central element to our ministry's strategy. We desire to show people we accept them, that we empathize with them, that we want to know them for who they are and that we want them to know the love of the only one that can truly satisfy them – Jesus. The dejection and feelings of worthlessness that people experience while living on the streets is something that I long to see healed. For me to imagine and witness people who walk by poor, hungry, misguided children and call them names like "trash," "beggar" "reject" and "loser," brings tears to my eyes. Has society become so callused to those who are lost that we don't even want them in our sight? Or does the sight of them make us want to get rid of them, and words that hurt might make them go away? Or does ignoring them solve the inner battle we face? The cold shoulder approach is used here, and on "The Ave" in Seattle.

There are many reasons for homelessness, many reasons we shouldn't feel responsible for because it's not "our" fault that they're in that situation – but when will our world stand up and get deep into the misery of the poor, of the hurting, of the dying? One of the most surprising things about my visit to the streets this month was the way that the mamas embraced me and the others I was with. They wanted me to play with their children, to talk with them in my broken Swahili. The two women I spent the most time with, both had children. One had two and the other three. Soon I found out that they were 22 years old. My heart sunk, that's how old I am. They are living on the streets of Nairobi, their children are sleeping in bushes on the side of the road, their babies suckle from their breasts in broad daylight as people stare at them. They want us to take their kids into our program so that they can have a better life, and we've taken one so far.

But, the problem is deeper. This is what's been on my heart. Working with street children has been very rewarding. I have seen them grow physically and mentally, I have seen their souls fall open to Jesus – embracing the love they get from Him. However, my experiences this year began to bother me, to make me think about what really will get deeper to the problem. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not satisfied with easy answers... I want to get to the root, I don't want to just do what's working for now. Street children are the end result of a society that is broken. The problem began much earlier in the chain of events: Broken marriages or relationships that left a woman alone, poor, and on the street with her children; abuse that persisted to the point that a child had no other choice but to run; joblessness that resulted in poverty that left a child hungry, begging from neighbors and eventually begging on the streets of downtown, in hopes of a meal to satisfy his empty tummy. Even if we care for children who live on the streets, are we making society a better place?

Unfortunately we struggle with the fact that we can't even ensure that a child who has finished his education through our program can get a job after he is finished... the economy here leaves much to be desired. I have a desire to do something, not necessarily in Kenya, that begins with the family – introducing them to Christ, educates adults about what it means to be in a marriage, how God wants us to treat our children, how to be in community with neighbors that is life-giving, and possibly an opportunity to start a small business to generate income. I have dialogued a lot about my frustrations with Mark via email and he reminded me of the most important command that God has for us to love Him and love others. I don't want to analyze the situation here so much that I lose sight of the simplicity of God's desires.

One way God has surprised me this month in terms of loving those around me is by bringing me into the life of Rose. Rose is a 27-year-old Kenyan woman who is struggling to survive as a single mother in Kibera slum. I met Rose one evening late in January when she stopped by my house trying to sell some of her crafts. I'm used to people trying to sell things on the streets, but never had someone come to my house. I sat down to talk to her, with no real intention of buying anything because I didn't feel like I needed any crafts. But as I listened to her story, I was impressed. When she was 18, a woman from Australia came to Kenya and taught Rose and a few of her friends how to crochet bags, hats, shoes, coin purses and coasters. When the woman left for Australia she contracted Rose to make crafts for her and to send them with income in return. Unfortunately the woman abused her contract and Rose never received any income. Instead of giving up, she continued her pursuit for business and along the way became a Christian at a crusade downtown Nairobi.

She is a confident woman who relies on God, and is constantly talking about what Jesus does for her and how she loves Him. Her crafts are really neat and after I bought a few, I thought about the possibility of buying a bunch of her coin purses and bags and selling them at the Global Market fair that UPC has around Christmas time as a way of promoting small foreign businesses. The business I give her each week is so small, but it keeps her child (and sisters I think) fed and her hands busy. She knows I will be leaving, but last night when she was here, she reminded me, "We are friends Sarah. I am going to miss you so much when you leave, but even if you don't have an order for me, please write me. It is a miracle that we met."  I feel like my relationship with Rose is one where I am more blessed with her presence than she is with mine. If any of you want to order a bag, coin purse (see picture attached) or hat from her, please let me know.

My work this month has kept me very busy. It's dawning on me that my time is running away... soon I will be back in Seattle. In fact, May 19th will be my day of arrival in Seattle. With this realization, my work goals have become even more motivational. From finishing my final sponsor/child matching to writing a sponsorship manual with all of the policies and procedures I set for the Sponsorship Program, I am busy to say the least. Some nights I come home and drop. I am in bed by 10pm every night... quite a change from last year's college late nights. I have also been blessed with PLENTY of opportunities to use my love for writing and problem-solving this month with the writing of a Short-Term Volunteer Manual, calculating the Cost-per-Child for an average child in HCI-Kenya and editing a grant proposal for a bore hole written to the Japanese Embassy in Kenya. My job is not dull and no day is alike. I'm not anxious to leave my position, but I am looking ahead too... if any of you have any leads of jobs in which you think I would serve well, say the word.

I am heading to Ethiopia next Sunday for a week with the rest of the Management Team and two Board Members to visit a ministry called Hope Enterprises in Addis Ababa. From what I understand, the ministry is community development based and focuses on vocational training. As our ministry is in an intense development stage, I'm really excited about the observation we're going to do and the vision that HCI-Kenya will come away with. We are very thankful for the opportunity that UPC has given us to take such a trip since this would be well beyond the basic means of our ministry. I look forward to reporting back to you next month with the events and encounters we experience.

My experiences thus far have really been blessed by your faithful prayers. Seldom does a day go by when I'm not reminded of all the outside support I have from many of you. You have prayed for me when I was weak, rejoiced with me when I was happy and loved me through and through. Being alone in a place like this is not easy, but your prayers have brought me friends and comfort. Thank you. Please continue praying this month.

  For my safety and health as I travel to Ethiopia

  For time to be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d this month with the many things I need to finish

  For opportunities to spend more time on the street and with my friends at Adam's Arcade

  For the management of HCI-Kenya that we would patiently seek His will in the development of our ministry

  For the kids who are unsettled in their living conditions. That they would find peace where they are and gain His strength.

Again, a month has passed and lessons learned. As they say in Kenya, "God is good all the time and all the time God is good!" Please write soon... I miss hearing from many of you.

Love and peace,

Sarah Jamieson
Child Sponsorship Coordinator,
Homeless Children International-Kenya

Back to top of page

Back to "Tales" Index