Last week in Kibera...

Before I left for the US we had decided to begin holding our weekly meeting in different ladies' homes - the only problem?  All but one visit took place in my absence!  I sure did feel left out...

But - I did get to visit Rachel's house on Friday...Here we are walking through a passageway between two homes to find Rachel's place.

Rachel greeting her guests

In front of Rachel's door Rose and Sarah are removing their (muddy) shoes...sorry I missed a shot of all the shoes waiting outside while we were cozy warm inside!

Since their home is far from the stage, Rachel's husband graciously came to get us and lead us to their home...

Rachel's husband and Beatrice (one of the ladies)

We began our visit with a word of prayer...

...and praise!  It felt good to be able to raise our voices to the Lord - at the church we share the space with others and have to be considerate of the noise...

We continued our study on prayer - this week's lesson was about fasting...The Power of the Practice of Fasting - first Denise did a brief intro to lead into Susan's teaching time...

Denise, Rose, Jecinta and Emily

 Emmanuel was very busy the whole time!  But, we all took turns entertaining him

Emily, Felistus and Rachel (and Emmanuel!)

 First we examined scripture to answer the question "What is Fasting?" 

Susan (our teacher), Beatrice and Denise

According to the word of God fasting is an expression of devotion to God embraced by His followers and practiced on a personal basis in response to His love.

Emmanuel was having a great time!

 Then we listened to Susan help us to understand why we should fast...

Felistus, Rachel and Sarah (looking very studious)

Alice volunteered to translate when Josephine had to leave us to plan her wedding!  She is a real trooper, but struggled to keep up...

Alice trying to follow her notes

Alice loves to look up the scripture references in her Bible...but I think she got distracted from translating when she did that...

 We then spent some time looking at how fasting helps us spiritually...1. To strengthen prayer...

 2.  To seek God's guidance...

 Cuteness break!  Elijah wants in and his way is blocked...this is his house, and his mom is on the other end of the table...

 But he was handed over and is now much happier...even if he doesn't look like it!

Elijah and Rachel (Mama Elijah)

 Another interruption...one of our members, Patricia just called to say she is at the stage...

Linet took the call and is working things out with Rachel

 ...so Rachel asked her friend Felistus to fetch them...

 ...which gave Emmanuel his own seat!

Rose, Emmanuel and Emily

Ways fasting helps us spiritually...3.  To express grief...  

Denise got my camera and took some shots

 4.  To seek deliverance or protection...

Rachel, Sarah, Alice, me and Linet (Beatrice in the foreground)

 5.  To express repentance and a return to the Lord...

Love the colors!

 6.  To humble oneself before God...

The natural light helps Susan to see better

7.  To minister to the needs of others...

He is a busy boy!

 8.  To overcome temptation...  and 9.  To express love and worship to God...

This was a precious moment!

 Patricia and her daughter Valerie arrived just in time for prayers! 

Patricia is a real prayer warrior

Beatrice asked us to lay hands on the items she makes and sells...that God will bless the work of her hands and that her business will prosper...

 After prayers we asked the ladies for their feedback on how they see the group...

 We spent a few minutes explaining the assessment form and asked them to complete it during the course of the week and return with it next week.

See the boys looking at each other?

Then we were curious about Beatrice's handiwork...

Susan, Denise, Rose and Beatrice

 She makes these beautiful bags!

Elijah tried to take it out of Emmanuel's mouth

Then came tea and bread and fellowship!  First is hand washing...Alice did the honors!

Then the towel is passed around for drying hands...

Valerie and Susan

Hospitality

Somehow Elijah ended up in my lap and that made me very happy!

I think Alice has the gift of service - she just loves to help!

Alice, Elijah, me and Linet...taking tea!

Nice shot Denise!

We all enjoyed the tea, bread and fellowship

Alice stacked all the dishes...

Contemplation

Concentration

Susan encouraging Patricia who is facing a difficult challenge

Rose and Beatrice putting shoes back on

Rachel in her doorway

Walking out...

We visited a choo (toilet) on the way to our debrief

Debrief time...I love how interactive Susan and Rose are becoming as we evaluate and celebrate what happened in the meeting...

Susan and Rose discussing Josephine's wedding

What a wonderful experience for me to be able to visit Rachel's home - I feel bad that I missed the others, but at least I got to do one!