We had a very full day today, starting with a hearty breakfast before we loaded into the large bus to take us to a nearby slum community for church. The church itself was a plant from the church Hapi attends (Hapi is the Kenya country director).

I was fairly nervous about this part. I didn't know how far we'd be walking into the slum, but it turned out not far at all, which was good because the road was rutted red clay with grooves deep enough to swallow a tire, not to mention your foot. To our right and left were tiny shops selling everything from charcoal to fruit to clothing. Some residents simply spread their wares in front of them.

But all of the shoppers stopped when we started walking through. It felt so awkward, like I couldn't tell if we were the parade or they were. We soon made it to the church which was very nice. The concrete floor was stained to make the reddish dirt tracked in less obvious. The walls and ceiling were corrugated metal, with glass windows at each end. We sat in plastic chairs for the bulk of the service. The music was acapella and the joy with which they praised God infectious.

The pastor spoke and gave a profound message about leaving the past behind. He got into it so much it felt like he was preaching just to you. Hapi translated so well that it was almost call and response, building toward greater things. I recorded part of it because it was so good and everyone so still listening intently.

I was taken by the sounds around me as listened to the sermon. Outside one window, I could see barbed wire and women pinning laundry to a line to dry. At another point, a little one started running down the side of the building, making a da-da-da-da-da-da sound as he ran his hand across the wall as he ran.

The kids are wonderful, very trusting and yet somewhat shy. I was an instant hit because of the video camera I've been trying to use.

After lunch we played with some sponsored kids who had come all the way up with a social worker from the project as well as an aunt with a little baby.  They drove more than 10 hours and were totally zonked for most of the day. Watching them slowly open up to their sponsor was so sweet. The boy was 11 and very solemn, as was Harusi, the 5 year old. The other girl was a piece of work, but very eager to smile with few prompts.

Tonight we packed up to move south to the Emarti Maasai region, which means I'll be without internet for the next few days. I had really hoped to post more but am exhausted, so I'm wrapping this up here. I'll post more when we get back to on Thursday or Friday.