A new view

Every time I take someone new into Unga with me I see a new Unga. I remember the first time Katie and I went, and the Unga we saw, and the experiences we had, they were incredibly different from the Unga I saw with each of the REACH interns (those were all different experiences from each other even.) Taking Kendra brought out a new experience, as did taking Tami and even today as Scott and I walked and visited and prayed we saw a different Unga. It is the same place, but our encounters, the way we are treated, as well as how we walk out of there is different. All different...all beautiful and unforgettable.

Today I met some new mama's. After the harassment we received with Tami the pastor's wife of one of the churches is taking it upon herself to find us an escort everytime we walk. I don't complain, and actually I appreciate it, as we learn more and more and get to go a little deeper with these escorts. It was fun to take Scott Price (our TZ Team Leader) with me as I had never walked through Unga with him before. He had driven through and little did I know he knew some people who lived there. It was fun to share today with him, and to even hear his observations and questions.

Today I got a bigger glimpse of the problems in the local school. The guy who walked with us informed us that a classroom can have in excess of 100 students! And in typical East African public school systems there aren't enough textbooks to go around, as well as teachers. No wonder the students aren't learning! The Government is allocating A LOT of money to building schools, but I have to ask, is education improving just by having more school buildings? If there aren't enough teachers and materials (including desks) then how are these kids gonna learn anymore? I am walking a fine line here, I realize it.

In our walk we also got to meet a few more pastors, and a few more teachers, and I encountered another Compassion Project, the third in this slum area alone! I can see how Compassion is making a difference, and how our ministries are both changing this community and if we work together then we really can change this community.

We have set the final details for a CHE Field Trip on Friday Nov 16! A handful of people interested in learning about how to start a CHE project in Unga will go with me to one of our rural projects. They will see CHE firsthand, and also get to talk with those who took a leap of faith and are transforming their rural community with CHE! Pray for this field trip! Pray that questions are answered and people are challenged.

And things are taking shape for the TOT to be held the week of Nov 19! We have about 15 people who want to start a CHE project in their community and we are gonna show them how and get it rolling! I am thrilled and nervous at the same time! Thrilled as this was the goal in me coming in the first place, to help people transform their own community using CHE, and nervous as it is finally happening! AGH!

Its my last physical walk through Unga for the week, but in my mind and my spirit I walk through those slums every day. Pray for Unga, pray for us as we keep stepping out!