New Centers in Thika

Yesterday I drove with Duncan to check out the newest CARE for AIDS region in the Thika area, on the North side of Nairobi.  We picked up Kevin, the regional coordinator, and headed out to the Kia-ndutu slum, where the first center is located.  Kia-ndutu is a crazy place - one of the more hectic slums that I've been around.  Narrow, dirt paths snake their way between ramshackle wood or tin dwellings, and it was a driving test for me to maneuver the car all the way to the Full Gospel Church in the center of the slum. 

Good ol Prado - still goin strong with 214,000 km!

Kia-ndutu slum...not the nicest place to live

 It's also (apparently), one of the most dangerous places around.  The spiritual counselor at the center, Patrick, grew up in Kia-ndutu, so people know him and he is comfortable there.  All of the other staff members from Thika refuse to walk through Kia-ndutu unless they are in a group or with Patrick, though, even during the day.  As I spoke with Patrick, he told me that during the previous day at about 1pm, he looked out the church window and saw a man get stabbed and robbed...yikes! 

Patrick talking with a client at Full Gospel Church of Kia-ndutu

 That means that there is a LOT of need in the area, and thankfully Patrick and his fellow worker Louise are hard at work meeting with clients and helping them to turn their lives around.  We hung out with about 15 clients in the waiting area of the church yesterday and watched as Patrick and Louise counseled them.  Only two months into the program, they are already seeing some wonderful developments and learning a lot about the real needs of HIV-positive people in this area. 

 

We then drove to the opposite side of Thika and met with the pastor and center workers for the second Thika center in an area called Kiganjo.  We visited the Deliverance Church of Kiganjo, where everyone is excited to host Duncan as a guest pastor this coming Sunday when they officially launch the center.  The two CFA counselors, Ann and Patrick, spent some time staying at the house a couple of weeks ago training, so it was great to see them again and share in their excitement to begin working.  They have already been visiting support groups and local clinics, and they are well on their way to recruiting a full group of clients for the brand new center.

Pastor Newton, Patrick, and Ann

Please join with me in praying for both of these young CARE for AIDS center.  Pray that the workers in Kia-ndutu would have wisdom in working with people of extreme poverty, and that they would stay safe in such a difficult environment.  Also pray that the church and staff at Kiganjo would be welcoming to just the right clients as they spend time recruiting people and visiting their homes.  Finally, pray for Kevin as he manages both of these new centers and works out logistics in a new area, all while getting used to living in a new place.  Thank you so much for your continued prayers - God is truly working miracles in the lives of people with nowhere else to turn, and we praise Him for it!