Irene and I visited with the kids at St. Catherine's Children's home in the Kibera slum. We wanted to spend some time as a follow-up to a teaching Twyla presented 3 weeks ago called Two Trees - the Tree of Life and the Tree of Wounding.
These are the kids we found there when we arrived at 10am! Some were yawning so Irene asked if they were tired or hungry or cold...
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| To the left is Jane saying "all of them" |
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| Jacinta signing the attendance book |
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| Celine signing the attendance book |
Then Celine led us in a worship song...
...and Irene prayed as we all held our hands out to God, asking Him to bless us and fill us with His Holy Spirit even as we gathered together to worship Him...
Irene then informed the kids that we will not be teaching today, but rather want to hear from them...
She asked who was not present for the Two Trees teaching
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| Rogers, Evans, Joakim, Brian and Sharon raised their hands |
She then asked the ones who were there to tell us what Twyla taught
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| Sharon with Jessica who is giving a good summary of the Tree of Life |
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| She stood so she could be heard better |
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| Sharon added insights she received |
Lavender is one of the older kids and is obviously very bright and always has good thoughts to share ...all the girls spoke of how the Tree of Life bears good fruit, is how God wants us to live and that if it was still living fully today the world would be a very good place indeed!
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| Not sure what she is doing but Ishmael is smiling! |
Irene asking about the fruit of the Spirit...
Evans was not there for the teaching, but shared his observations...
Even Sharon, who is usually quite shy spoke up with some good insights...
Mercy seems to be a good student, always ready to share an insight and answer questions.
Then Irene explained that all we have been discussing; fruit of the Spirit, living a good life, etc...all stems from a relationship with God...
She explained that the foundation is the relationship with God and the stem or trunk contains faith, hope and love...
Faith, hope and love then enable us to live responsibly, trust God, ourselves and others and moves us to have a deep reverence for God.
The kids were challenged to know the meaning of 'reverence'...
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| Mercy and Evans looking for a passage in Hebrews |
...so Irene asked them to read Hebrews 12:4-11 to see if we can get the meaning from God's word.
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| Sharon reading Heb 12:4-11 |
We discovered that God is a good Father who disciplines His children because He loves us...and we, in turn respect, admire, look up to Him as a Holy God.
Then Irene asked about the other tree and Susan knew it was called the Tree of Wounding.
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| Susan sharing about the Tree of Wounding |
Then the kids spent some time sharing about the 'fruits' that come from the tree of wounding.
At the end Irene asked all of us to spend a minute thinking of what or who has wounded us...
She then asked all the kids who are traveling back to school to stand - she asked each of them to write any questions they would like answered when they return to Nairobi in Aug and share an area of wounding they are struggling with now (for us to pray with them while they are away at boarding)
She then challenged all the kids to write any questions they would like answered as well as what they would like to discuss at our next session.
...I am looking forward to reading what each child shared...
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| Brenda was very quiet today... |
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| I caught Dorice laughing about something! |
Some of the kids needed pens, but Irene challenged them to come prepared next time!
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| Jane and Jacinta |
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| Jacinta and Brenda |
Then Irene asked all form 4 and class 8 kids to come to the front - they will be sitting exams this year...she asked all form 1 kids to get behind the class 8 kids and Jacinta (form 1) led the prayer for their success...
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| Jessica and Jane being prayed for... |
Irene prayed for the form 4's and asked the rest of us to extend our hands and being praying along with her...
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| Susan, Lavender and Rogers |
We then closed in prayer led by Sharon (in the back to the left)
Jane, Lavender and Sharon stayed after to receive supplies for and information about being a pen pal.
...four ladies in the states have requested to begin writing to girls who would like to be corresponding - the 4 girls are Sharon, Lavender and Jane (pictured) and Cynthia who was not with us today...
She has given them each 3 pieces of stationary, one envelope and enough postage to send to the US.
Twyla (and her husband Les) have supporters who underwrite supplies to be purchased for the kids every month! We brought them with us today and here the kids are carrying the stuff out of the classroom and down to the dorms...
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| Sharon carrying toilet paper... |
Here Brian is moving a (very heavy) box with, I believe, porridge for their breakfasts...
Joakim is helping him!
And Lavender is hoisting this box (full of toiletries and other personal items)
She is a strong girl!
We had such a good time with the kids and were impressed with how much they retained from Twyla's teaching...
