Reflections

On Thursday afternoon I caught the short flight from Kisumu to Nairobi after saying my goodbyes at Sunset Hotel.

Sunset has become like a second home, a place of familiarity now, whilst I am away. It is a government run hotel and as such hosts numerous conferences and seminars – this weeks was run by the Kenya Red Cross – but it always seems friendly. Kisumu seems to have no shortage of new accommodation, sparkling hotels are springing up each time I go and by comparison with some Sunset is looking a bit tired. The paint is a little faded, the air conditioning, in the words if the receptionist “will work, but unfortunately it pours with water – and I mean it really pours”.

It didn’t really seem to matter to be honest, the warm nights sheltered inside a white cotton mosquito net were followed by the simple pleasure of sliding back the door to the small balcony each morning and feeling the cool caress of the African dawn. 

Across the balcony, the canopy of trees, the purple flowers of the jacaranda and bright red of the flame trees paint the morning with colourful hues. After a couple of hundred metres the lush tropical greenery gives way to the ever present backdrop of Lake Victoria and the huge African sky reflected in its still morning waters. A dozen or so small sails in the distance reveal the small boats with their fishermen, bringing in the nile perch, tilapia and omena which will grace the tables of the wealthy and the poor of this city.

I left with some sadness, it doesn’t matter how long I come for, it is always hard to leave. Moses, Paul James, John and Tatu have come to see me off and we exchange warm thank you’s. I hope to see them again soon.

It has been a good trip for seeing the progress of the work. Many of the children that came into the programmes in the early days, when we were very much feeling our way, are now graduating school, going to college, or joining apprenticeships. The road, like the many miles of tarmac and dirt tracks that I have driven over the last few days, has occasional and sometimes significant pot holes, but that doesn’t mean that the journey isn’t worth it and I am glad that we set off.

Nicky and I are working to see if Moses can get a visa to come and visit the UK next year. 

We need to put together an itinerary for him, ideally visiting a number of different churches, talking about the street children he works with and some of the challenges, difficulties and the transformations we have seen in them. At the heart of the Trust’s ministry is a belief that God’s Spirit has the power to change lives and that God’s heart is with the poor of this world. 

We have seen so very many prayers answered and God’s hand in the development and progress we have made.

If you would like Nicky or myself to share with your church, school or group about the work of the Trust, or if you would be interested in Moses visit next year, then we would be delighted to talk with you.

Please do get in touch. If you don’t already, then please also consider following us on Facebook, where we post regular updates on the children and also on our fundraising opportunities – www.facebook.com/isaiahtrust.