hope and soda

Last weekend I moved into my new flat in Kilimani which is ace, it’s a really nice place, super close to Adam’s arcade and Toi market. For those who don’t know Adams is where Java house is. Java house is my favourite coffee shop in Nairobi although there is some debate in the Turning Point camp as to which is better: Dormans or Java? Your opinions count people!

Toi market is a massive market that sells second hand clothes and shoes and all sorts of other stuff, a great source for slum chic apparel. I can walk to the office and to Kibera from my place as well as all the shops I need so it’s pretty sweet. I’m living with an american lady called Susan who cracks me up saying things like ‘Oh for the love of biscuits!’

So to be honest for a couple of weeks before I moved I was missing everyone loads, I was pretty bummed out because I felt I should be doing something to find some friends but wasn’t really sure what to do. However, I’ve started to really enjoy having the time and the space to spend with God, listening and praying and reading. I’m learning loads. I think I’ve realised God gives and He takes away and for now He’s taken my friends away or moved me away from them for a bit but He will give me some more. I’m learning to chill out and trust Him, He’s got it covered. He really does have it covered as I’m starting to make friends at church, getting in touch with people I met last time I was here and some awesome stuff is going on in the slum.

Another thing I’m learning to chill out about is what I should be doing here. There’s so many people who need help and so many opportunities to serve but I don’t know what I’m meant to do and how I’m meant to go about it. I have loads of ideas of stuff I want to do but the only things that will be significant are the things that are in God’s plans so I might as well chillax and see what happens.

Most of all I want to build genuine friendships with guys in the slum so I can encourage them and point them to Jesus so they can find proper hope. My favourite verse scribbled on my wall at the moment is Romans 15:13 ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ I’m praying that as I trust in God, hope will overflow out and bosch into some of the people I come across in Kibs. That’s the prayer.

This past week has been super encouraging on this front as I’ve all of a sudden had loads of opportunities to hang out with people in Kibera, been invited to some people’s houses for soda and I’m going to the Nairobi trade show (or possibly some gangsta rap gig) with two of the girls from the project next weekend. Lillian who is lonely because her friends keep getting married (even though their only like 17) and she doesn’t go to school, and Lucy Katunge who has had a baby since I last saw her, Baby Grace. Lucy has changed loads, she’s really grown up and is such a good mum, she still beats me up though! So that should be very fun.

It was my birthday yesterday so thanks to everyone who sent me all sorts of birthday love. I love you guys!