Kenya #3: The Smiling Faces of Tumaini and Huruma Children

by Pam Douglas

Wow! What a day!!!  Tumaini children’s energy was limitless. The mission team’s resilience and compassion was truly provided by our Heavenly Father. And we all needed an abundance today! But we were reminded that God is able to do this and even more than we can imagine at our morning devotional given by Alice Jensen. She told the children about one of the many names for our God, Jehovah Jireh, which means The Lord Will Provide. And, true to His nature, God was faithful to her family at a difficult time.

Then we had a full day with the children from both Tumaini and Huruma. Thank you, Shelley, for organizing amazing workshops. Our goal was to help them recognize and name their feelings. We divided them into age groups and had various art projects, Bible lessons, and stories. Our hope for these precious children was that they would remember God is bigger than anything they have experienced or will experience. We shared coping skills of prayer, Scripture, journaling, and meditation to help relieve anxiety related to grief, loss, change, fear, and other emotions. There were also games, singing, coloring, and playing as we enjoyed the beautiful day that the Lord made for us. My friend, Makena, and I had the blessing of working with the teenagers. We had over 50 kids! We reminded them that God knows and cares about what they are feeling. And He is always with them in their time of need as well as seasons of joy!

The evening was clear and cool with stars twinkling as we gathered for our devotion and prayer time. Our third day draws to a close as we sit in a circle smiling and allowing the exhaustion to become a reality. We saw God today: In each face, smile, hug, and giggle. Now it is time to rest and renew. God has great plans for us all tomorrow!

Pam Douglas, Malibu Presbyterian Church