Travelling to Hope

In the past couple of days we have had the opportunity to connect with two women who have had the vision, compassion, savvy and faith to create places and ways to love kids who have come to them having little or no experience of it's transformative power. We have also spent time with some of these kids and have sensed just how profoundly they have thrived physically, emotionally and spiritually in a 'home' in which they can contribute, belong, be safe, love and be loved.
Sonia, and her husband Chris, have been working with and advocating for the street children of Molo, Kenya for the past number of years. Their desire is to help remove barriers to education so that the children they work with might have a chance to step out of the cycle of poverty they are entrenched in by no fault of there own. They do this by providing nutritious meals, school uniforms & fees, a place to live and learn life skills such as hygiene and cooking... all aspects of life that most of the kids they care for would not have the opportunity to provide on their own. They have kids who have 'grown up' with them who are taking further education or trade school and embody the hope that has been poured into them. It is for this work in Molo that Alex Aitken Elementary School in Duncan has raised funds for the past three years. Sonia was thankful for the money, soccer balls, and skipping ropes donated by the school.











Lucy, is a young woman who felt convicted to start caring for a 5 year old boy living on the streets of Nairobi, whom she met in front of her house 12 years ago. She began to feed, care and provide opportunities for this boy to go to school, all while deepening her mother's heart of love for him. After some time, the boy began to bring home other orphaned children he would meet in the neighborhood or on his way to or from school. When faced with the reality that no other options existed for these children Lucy opened her home and heart again and again, until she found herself caring for 20 boys and girls who had come to know her as moma Lucy.

Personally knowing the lack of love and stability and love in her own childhood, Lucy did not see her limited resources has a hindrance that might limit reaching out and taking in these kids. So with a deep faith that God would provide she and this gaggle of children moved to an outlying town and lived in a church while praying and working toward a home and space in which her growing 'family' could thrive. Along the way she has acquired the support of individuals, churches and NGOs. With that she was able to purchase some land, and with that came opportunity to invite more children to live with her and a growing staff that work with her providing a home, food and schooling until they reach adulthood... but more importantly a life where they can love and be loved.

It was overwhelming to visit with some of the 175 children living at the home(s) now known as 'Hope Center'. We were welcomed with singing and warm smiling faces of kids ranging from age 17 to newborns. It was a brilliant experience for our family to spend some time hanging out with babies and playing football (soccer)with these laughing, healthy and tireless kids!

Lucy has created a home where these kids are not just 'receiving', but are fully engaged in a life of giving to one another. Many of the older teens, who have grown up in the security of this home, care for the needs of the younger or newer children in the manner of siblings. They live in large dorms that might have an institutional appearance, however the sense of living as a family is evident throughout the place. Lucy is 36... she has been a part of changing lives with the conviction of her faith and love. It is inspiring to see the potential of a life abandoned to these things.