GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE RECENT VISIT
Once again this year (2008) Mercy care Centre was blessed to receive visitors from America and Australia. This marked the first offcicial joint visit by our two collaborators. In total we had twenty -one visitors. During this time we also received the youngest collaborator in mercy care centre called Meagan Butcher. She is seven years old.
This also marks the largest number of visitors that have been able to come to MCC at one time.

What i found in this group was the synergy. They had various skills that we could all draw from and students could also be able to easily learn from. They seem to have all come set to achieve certain objectives which they effectively achieved.

I was very delighted to see them freely intermingling with students and teachers as they went about their chores. This was summed up by one of them who told me that their pastor is fond of saying "we may provide the much needed finances to keep the activities running. Yet we very much benefit from their spirit." Thus the pastor concludes by saying “we benefit a lot by visiting them as they also benefit from the finances that we bring alongside".
When i look back i see the timing and the hand of God in these visitations. Timing because for many years we have written in our quarterly reports that whenever possible as many people as possible should be able to visit Mercy care centre. It is God's timing that this is happening now. On the other hand it is the hand of God to see many people empathize with the plight of the needy children in Mercy care centre.I believe that all who have come will do as St.Paul writes in the book of Philippians 4:8" Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy then these are what you will be telling people out there. Like we have said in the past the plight of Mercy care centre needs to be known to the faith circle and the secular world at large. It could be a wakening call to stop and care what is happening in the world around them. And whatever little that they can do will go along way to secure the life of a child.

As i look back to what was achieved, I cannot fail to highlight the following;

( 1) Visit to the animal orphanage and nature walk.Majoriy of the children in mercy care centre were able to visit the animal orphanage and the safari walk. These are places preserved for schools that have a lot of facilities. This time round mercy care centre had its chance to be able to visit and enjoy seeing wild animals at close quarters which are caged. It is both a learning activity and a wonderful time to be out there. For the majority it was the first time they were leaving the valley leave alone visiting the orphanage. My tribute goes to Meagan Butcher that organized theseand facilitated it. Mercy Care family will cherish these for many years to come.


(2)Personal Relationship with the students
These boosted their self esteem and made them realise that someone cares for them. Indeed many of them were able to open up and discuss their plight either through writing or through personal talks. What you have implanted to these children will go a long way to put a wide smile on their faces as they come to this sanctuary that is mercy care centre.


( 3 )Encouragement to the teachers .By coming to visit, it is in itself telling the teachers that you value their hard work and dedication in trying to improve the social status of the children in the slum. The teachers indeed confined in me that the moral of the students was very high during your visit. The teachers were also touched by the time you took to visit various classes and taking up lessons in the classes. By doing this you were having a great opportunity of being able to identify with the plight of the needy children as they go about following their lessons.
The teachers too felt encouraged by the gifts that you gave to them when you visited. Some of them did develop a personal relationship with you.

( 4 ) Library shelves and books.
It is not uncommon to hear educators say that the reservoir of any institution lies in the libraly.For many years we have trusted that the lord shall give us a library. The prayer was answered when shelves were made and books put on. We trust the lord to get the books that were brought to us from Australia so that these needy pupils may benefit from them. As i saw students lining up to pick books, my heart was filled with joy.

(4) Medical clinic
Treatment of various ailments in the valley is a luxury even at the present time and age. The majority of the residents of Mathare valley cannot afford medical treatment. This is because of living in abject poverty. Yet today most of the children that had various ailments were attended to and given medicine to take. What a gift?! We also have an infirmary that is on going at the school. Students who need medical attention are attended to here and follow ups are done. This is a great gesture bestowed on us.

(5) Sports day and the gift of T-shirts
It was wonderful to see all you during the sports day. You were devoted to various groups that you were given duties. I could not hide my admiration to see you sited out their in the hot sun. That encouraged the team spirit. The children and the teachers were also delighted to have New T- shirts. It was a colorful event. The event was so colorful that the Principal took the first position in 100 metres for parents and teachers from behind. (EEH!)

( 6) Introduction of Tennis
The only time Mercy care have seen a tennis racket was either in the television or bill-board. It was a reckoning moment for them to be able to hold a racket in their hands. And eventually learn how to play tennis. This sport will no doubt be developed in this part of the slum. Already many students have started showing interest.

(7) Teaching the American folk dance.
This dance was well taught that many a pupils are seen practicing it during break time and lunch time. It will be wonderful to see them perform at the national level. We also have very beautiful out fits made for the dance and shoes designed for the dance.

( 8) Skynep and setting up of the blog
I had a very wonderful experience of being able to talk through the skynep and see faces from the other side. This is the most wonderful thing for me to experience and i am looking forward to have it set in school. If this happens it will be very great.
The team took also time to show me how to write on the blog.

(9) Dinner night
It is rare that you can be able to take 50 plus people out for dinner. The teachers had a wonderful time and even played a wonderful game. It was a revealing time as they learned things about one another that they did not know. The dinner was once again punctuated with gifts for all the teachers. This will go a long way in motivating the teachers. Personally i was very delighted as i have been looking for ways to motivate the teachers.

( 10 ) Maasai Mara
We have always appreciated as a family for the lovely time we have at the Maasai Mara. This has always given us a chance to concentrate more in our work. It is a lovely place to be and we always look forward to it.


(11) Fellowship. There was a very wonderful time of fellowshipping in Mercy care centre.We all accept the fact that it is by the grace of God that we do what we are doing. That is why a moment with him will bring us closer to him.