Love and Affection

Eastleigh Community Centre

Today was the first day for Brianna to travel into Eastleigh with us, where they will be volunteering for the next two weeks with the Iftin Women's Empowerment Program at the Eastleigh Community Centre. Along with teaching in the English literacy project, they will be volunteering with the children's program in the kindergarten. Today the girls were greeted with hugs and high fives as the kids circled them with love and affection.

The children within the three pre-school classes are from the communities of Eastleigh and Mathare Valley. Although the children live in an impoverished part of the city, they are very energetic and happy kids. During their recess breaks, the sound of laughter and play is wonderful.

Today, as we were leaving the kindergarten section of the community centre, we were blessed by the sights of kids drawing in the sand; chasing after old tires; helping friends catch a bug; running and holding hands; and even one little boy trying to braid a little girl's hair.

You could not help but be struck by the images of both gentleness and playfulness.

Later in the day, on our way out of the community centre, I noticed another young girl comforting a friend with tears in her eyes. I have no idea the story behind those tears, but the tenderness and compassion of the little girl's friend was a beautiful thing to witness.

There are some universal gifts that God has put into the hearts of his children. We pray that where ever you are today, that you may have eyes to see the simple signs of the master's hand at work in the life of another.