How Are You?! How Are You?! How Are You?! How Are You?! How Are You?!

Josh Chinn quality blog post #3

Today we visited our first slum and walked in it to reach the Comido school. It was extremely tough seeing the conditions the people lived in, then realizing that more than 2 million people in Nairobi alone live like the way they did. I was dazed and speechless as we traveled through the streets with junk and trash littering the sides of the road, kids running around and playing with the garbage, and the smells and sights of poverty. Can you imagine that this is one of the "nicer" slums? We had been called muzungu's (foreigners) and people have tried to make us do kung-fu and karate, but today was my first real taste of the "How Are You!?-ness" that I had heard about. It seemed that everywhere I turned I heard "How are you?! How are you!?". It came from everywhere- kids.. adults.. I wouldn't be surprised if it came from the chickens we saw. At first I'd answer "I'm doing well! How are you?!" until I learned that they didn't know too much English and all they'd reply is "I'm fine, how are you!?!"

When we finally reached our destination, the Comido school, I was a bit nervous to approach the kids and say hello to them. I was kindasortareally talking to myself and wondering what I should be doing until I saw Bekah eagerly taking photos with children. I started to get closer to the fellas and take pictures, and after they saw the flash or heard the shutter, they'd come racing towards me and demanded to see themselves. EVERY time I took a picture, they'd always speed toward me and laugh and giggle at themselves. One girl I took a picture of smiled, but then I got closer to her to show her the picture and she sprinted away from me screaming for her mama. I felt so bad but she returned later and I saw she was just a shy little girl. I tried again with another couple of kids, but I told them "koo-juh" which means come here but they ran away all the way home and I felt extremely sad as Nicole, Brendon, Shawn, and Kristine laughed at me.

Once the school session started the school kids all filed in to the sanctuary. I looked at them and as I was setting up the sound equip, I stopped in the middle of the stage, looked out at about 200 of them and waved. Each and every single one waved back and grinned. I was so surprised and shocked, I literally stood there for 10 seconds not knowing what to do. We were then greeted by multiple performances by the school children. They dance, sang, laughed and recited poems and plays they had practiced. Each of them were very cool. Finally, it was our turn to perform for them. I was extremely stressed out going into the day because

1. Our sound system had problems with setup the previous night and at first, we couldn't get the soundboard to work at all (until after 20 minutes of troubleshooting, Jesse and I both realized the mute buttons were on).
2. I was scheduled as one of the two people to share an experience or thoughts with the kids today and I was not prepared at all. I decided to share about the song I Am Free, explained later.
3. I had to make sure the costumes and crafts were ready for our VBS with the younger kids and Dan who acts as King Darius was sick. Luckily, Shawn filled in quite nicely.
4. After Jesse and I made sure the soundboard was working, our speakers started to smoke. Yeah. Not good.

However, in the end, all went well and we performed the worship set and taught the kids the hand motions. Man. Those kids are so energetic. After the worship set, Erika started the VBS sesh. Garrett, Brendon and I were lions again and being inside those hoodies was terrible. It was SO hot, but seeing the kids laugh with joy everytime we roared at them was completely worth it.

After the VBS, I got to share my feelings about a song I chose called I Am Free. Trenton gave a short message beforehand and parts of his message were the same points I was trying to say which was extremely comforting. I spoke about how if you believe and trust in God, you have nothing to be worried about, no reason to be judged, and that you're free to do what you want. I was so nervous going in because it was the first day people were scheduled to share and I wasn't sure what was expected, but afterwards I realized that no matter what I said, the kids would enjoy me being there which brings me to my pain moint of the day.

Today's main point

Before I came to Kenya, before many of the meetings, and before I had given a ton of thought into the mission trip, I asked myself "How much of a difference can building things and performing skits really make in a child's life?" Today I realize that it is SO much more than just acting and doing things for the kids. I saw that even though the kids live in terrible conditions they're still so joyful when you visit them. I learned that the things you make for the kids such as salvation bracelets will last no more than a couple years at most, but the actions you take and your presence being there lasts so much longer. Kids always smiled, laughed, giggled, jumped up and down, hugged you, high-fived you, and held your hand. In our devotional we had tonight, we discussed how we didn't fly 10,000 miles to hide and only help out when we needed to be there. We need to spend time with the kids and form relationships to show them God's true love. You can't put a price on the smiles and laughter the kids had. Honestly, I had read all about experiences in Kenya, but I truly believe that you can't realize how much you're presence means to the kids until you experience it yourself. I feel like today was the day my world has been shaken upside down. I've seen a slum (although tomorrow's is supposed to be a bit worse) and I've gotten to spend time with kids who literally have nothing, but have more energy and passion for God than I've seen anywhere. I can't stress enough how much these kids mean to me. Even though I only spent a few hours with them, each and every one of them made me so happy. Anything I'd do they'd mock or laugh at. I can't wait to experience more soon to come.

God bless!