Bomani - Friday - New Life

After visiting the government school we spent several hours with the children and workers at the New Life Center we support. What an incredible contrast! There are 35 children in a classroom with teachers who love God and teach His Word along with the school curriculum. The hope they have goes beyond improving this life.....it stretches into eternity!

Just as we did in Vipingo the day before we had the opportunity to teach and play with the children. Donna and her helpers taught the kindergarten children while Guy taught the 1st and 2nd grades. Then the children were off to enjoy the painting, coloring, bubbles, big balloons, jump ropes, tug-o-war and the parachutes! What fun!!

Anne is the matron of New Life. She's like the mom. She makes sure all the children are well, plans balanced menus and oversees much of the staff. We have come to love her more and more. She sends her love to those of you who have taken the trip with us in the past and often asks about you by name. She said they look forward to our visit and only wish it could be longer!!

Anne and her staff made a delicious lunch for the children and for us. After lunch Donna met with the teachers to share supplies, encourage them and share from the resources of her experience. The teachers from a nearby MANNA center joined them. All of them have a special relationship with Donna! The rest of the team spent the time playing with the children during recess.

In the afternoon we went into the village to pass out tracts and invite the people we met to attend the outreach on Sunday afternoon. We're playing volleyball and having some fun with everyone in the community who will come. Before they leave we will serve meals to about 2000 people.

The village of Bomani is different from the communities we were in the day before. It is very tribal and there are clusters of homes around the area where an extended family unit lives. However the basic living conditions remain the same: homes of mud and dung with roofs that are made from the branches of neighboring trees.

We spoke with a woman who was cutting a plant along side the road and putting it in a bag. She would take it home and cook it up for supper. Corn is growing in scattered places along with a few other fruits and vegetables. With unemployment so high this is how they survive.

It was late afternoon before we said goodbye to our friends at New Life and boarded the bus to head back into Mombasa. The Hornes were having us all over for dinner.