Our group took a short tour through Nairobi.  We checked out some of the shops.  Our hotel is nice.  Here in the city there are buildings and things you might expect to see in any other city.  This afternoon we went to the Quarry Pipeline to see where we were building the church.

  The streets were overflowing with mud, trash, water, and open sewage trenches.  Houses were built on top of one another, in all directions- up, down, and sideways!  Laundry was hanging from anything it could be hung on.  Food and meet was hanging in the open air for sale.  Women were toting water jugs on their heads, not only did they have to tote it but buy it also.  Kids were being kids, playing and running around in the mud and filth.

  In the midst of all of this was a small rock covered lot, maybe 40 feet wide and 80 feet long.  There we met Pastor George and his assistant, Joseph.  They told us they had a contractor who was ready to begin work the next day.  We talked about the things that needed to be done such as rocks and sand to level the lot.  Next they would pour concrete, then a wooden frame would be built to support the tin that would serve as the walls and roof.  Due to lack of time on our part and generous donations, we were prepared to pay to have the church built. 

  Can you imagine what a church will mean to these people?  Their own building to worship and praise God in.

  JD tells us that tomorrow we will go see the slums.  I cried out to God, could there really be a place worse than this?  Even the poorest people at home have more than the people here.  At least in the United States there are programs to help people with their basic needs- food, water, and shelter.  Here there are no food stamps or checks from the government.  No help at all!

  But maybe, just maybe, a church here in the midst of the Pipeline, someone may find out that even if there is no help, through Jesus Christ, there is HOPE!

  May God have mercy on them all.

Terry, Team Member

November, 2005