Day Six. Bill's Thoughts and Deborah's Poem

Through my study of God’s Word I have come to view mankind as the crowning Jewel of God’s created universe. Through my experience here in the slums of Nairobi I have come to believe that there is nothing in God’s created universe more beautiful than a human heart completely surrendered to Jesus Christ. This beauty is the radiating light of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Here in the Kwa Njenga slum I have further come to understand that the darker the surroundings, the brighter the light.

I have never seen the light of Jesus Christ shine as brightly as I have seen it here against this dark backdrop of unimaginable human suffering. I have seen it in our team members, I have seen it in our brothers and sisters in the slum and I have seen it in the children.

Pastor Sanya, the assistant Pastor of Tumaini Church in the Kwa Njenga slum is an example of this. He lives his life sold out for Christ and is a wonderful example of leading by example. Sunday, during worship, Pastor Sanya was called up front to give a word of praise. The minute this man opened his mouth the Holy Spirit poured out over that church with the wonderful light of Jesus Christ. It was powerful, it was overwhelming and the power in it was complete. No darkness could stand in the presence of this light. Pastor Craig commented that if there was any dark spirits lurking in that place they headed for the exits at that moment. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.

Why do I come to the slum? I come to serve God, I come to do His work, I come to love His people and I come to experience His marvelous light. The darker the backdrop the brighter the light!

Bill Merrill

~

From Deborah

Grace, Grace what a precious face,
Not one of beauty, but one of innocence
You looked so trusting and weren’t afraid
The pain in your foot looked quite intense.
You gave me such joy to see your friendship
To this strange woman you tried to converse
Such curiosity threw caution out the window.
Your sweetness caused me to write this verse.

Anastacia I saw you a year ago
with the same look of a wide eyed doe
Speaking better English you are my dear
Come visit me often and let me turn my ear
To the sweet young girl
With eyes of saucers
You remind me of a little banty rooster
So proud and fiesty in a place of such gloom
Into my heart you have set up a room.


Mercy Mercy Mercy me
How many faces of God do I see.
Andrew, Emmanuel, Wilberforce and Sarah
Janet, Teresa, Ruth, and Prisca
You touch my heart with your bright smiling faces
One of trust and joy, in such sad places.
You know no better than what you see
God grant them your blessings that you give free.
Keep them healthy until old age
Let Kwa Njenja Slum be their stage
Where change can come about
Their love for you no doubt.
Never let my love for them
Get shaded, dark and dim.
They are my sweet ‘ Kenyan’ babies
Of this I ask you Lord, Please.

Kelumbo you are such a dear man
Though you and I can’t converse in this land
One day we will meet on the streets of gold
And talk until hell turns cold.
Your smile delights my heart
I’ve loved you from the very start
of this mission God has me on.
I will remember you while I am gone.
To America I must go
A Maasi Warrior will always know.
His friends from the US of A
That God has brought his way.
Loves him as a bobbpi
And He loves me.