Dear Diary,: February 11, 2011

Yesterday, we visited Sister Freda's. She is such an amazing woman of God, and I just admire her so much. She has a clinic, pre-school, girls high school (new), and a nursing college! She is like the Mother Theresa of Kenya! We played with the pre-school kids, hung out with the high school kids, and toured the hospital I met this adorable little girl in the pre-school there named Tabitha. She was the cutest thing ever, and I just didn't want to ever let her go! She filled my heart with joy, and her laughter was contagious. I just wanted to take her home! :) After Sister Freda's we went to a women's prison. We worshiped with the prisoners (and guards), and a few girls shared their stories/favorite passages. Woman in prison that had children were allowed to keep their kids with them until the age of 4, but once they turn 4 they either get sent to an orphanage or with relatives. It was sad seeing innocent children in prison :( We didn't hear the prisoners stories, but we found out that someone can go to prison for a crime as small as stealing someone's chicken or food. Despite their circumstances, the women still praised and worshiped God!

Today was our workday at Oasis. We painted roofs, fixed up some class rooms, and just cleaned up the place. Some kids that we met at camp were there, so it was good to get to see them again! My sweet Faridah and Joseph were there, so I was really happy! It was so hard to say goodbye though.. it was so hard holding back the tears!

After that, we walked the streets of Kitale. It really opened all of our eyes. We all hear about street kids and kids that sniff glue, but to see it in person.. is just an indescribable experience. I just wanted to take the kids off the streets, take the glue from them, and just hug them. My heart was aching for them. We saw a girl that was about 10 years old and pregnant.. sniffing glue. They sniff the glue because it takes away their hunger, pain, coldness, and it makes them forget about their sad lives. I was just overwhelmed with sadness for all of these people. I just wanted to cry.

Tonight, the Mercy Kids came over and we were able to hear some of their amazing testimonies! We also had a dance party with them which was so fun! The kids are around our age, and are a group of kids that have stuck together on the streets for years until they were brought into a home.. they were abused and treated horribly here and were extremely ill. They were found by Steve Rutenbar (He's the owner of the compound we're staying in. He is loved by absolutely everyone here in Kitale) and taken to Purpose Driven Academy where they have been cared for, loved on, and educated.... they have been through so many hardships in their lives, but they're some of the happiest, joyful, grateful, most beautiful people I've ever met. They're faith and love for God is so strong, it's so beautiful. They're such inspiring people, and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet them and hear their stories!