located right in the heart of Nairobi, the valley is about 1 mile wide x 2 miles long, and is home to over 800,000 people.

800,000

p e o p l e.

We visited Vincent’s home, and as we sat in his 8′x6′ mud room he told us the translation to a song they sang when welcoming us to the Mathare Compassion project. . .

“This world is not our HOME, Take us, Lift us up, and Bring us HOME. . .”

Here’s a look at The Mathare Valley and as you watch and hear their voices remember. . .

This world is not their HOME, Take them, Lift them up, and Bring them HOME. . .

I have been to church in a few of the countries we work, but never a church where pretty much the whole congregation was made up of kids. . .there were maybe 30 adults.

It was super fun and full of energy as you can imagine!!

As I sat behind the kids listening to the announcements for the morning two little girls came to sit with me.

One sat next to me and the other climbed right up in my lap.

Meet Meredith and Beth

Meredith was the calm quiet. . . behaved one.

SWEET AS CAN BE

Beth was the troublemaker in all of the cutest ways. I mean seriously

SWEET AS CAN BE

and check out her eyes in this video. . . troublemaker see. . .she’s a funny one.

Sweet Beth from keely Scott on Vimeo.

They sat and played with my hands, my camera, my hair, my freckles, my rings, my shirt. . .

At times Beth would get tired and just fall back into my arms. . .

it was a beautiful and sweet time of friendship.

thanks LV for the pics

As we were leaving Meredith raced out to the bus to say bye again. . .

I opened the window

And Meredith said with excitement

If you ever see James and Caroline tell them I say hello and greet them in the name of Jesus

I asked her if that was her sponsor she responded with a huge smile and a HUGE YES!

She went on to say. . .

They live in Canada, Will you go there? Please tell their children hello too. I love them so much!

So if you have ever wondered. . .

Yes, They know your name!

After church we headed to a super fun day of playing with sponsor kids… a time for our bloggers that sponsor to just hang out for the day.

IT . WAS . AWESOME .

YOU must go and read my tripfriends posts. . .

LV – beautiful beautiful beautiful

Mckmama – stunning

Ryan – I have no words

Brad – sweet sweet post

Kent – joy

Patricia – amazing to get to meet another jones kiddo. she is beyond precious!

Kristin – a brother & sister born out of compassion. . .amazing

Shaun – Love it!

There were rides

face painting

crocodiles galore

Camel rides

Why yes, you do need to check out Shaun’s post

and GIRAFFES

I have titled this picture. . .Como Say What??

I have always wanted a giraffe kiss, dont ask… Shaun is also thoroughly confused.

I decided to go back and say one last farewell to said mr. giraffe and got a SURPRISE kiss on the lens ( no lie!)

and after wiping some slobber off i am thankful it was my lens and not my cheek.

So MUWAH from said giraffe and Kenya

An amazing story from a beautiful woman… with a huge heart!

Be a part of a childs story. . . click HERE for more info!

A program that is all about Moms and Babies! If you want to read more check out www.rescuebabiesnow.org

I LOVE this program!

As we pulled up we were greeted by the Music of these Mothers singing as they escorted us into the church.

As they sang they hugged each of us with such bliss as we danced into their church. . . It was beautiful!

And what a day. . .getting to spend time with these mothers hearing about their trials and their joys. . .

hearing their stories!

You too can be a part of rescuing babies and helping these mothers!

So click on this picture to start a slideshow…see our day and hear the Music of Mothers. . .

Donalds new book is all about STORY. Its based around what he learned while editing his life to be made into a movie. It’s funny and compelling in the “what in the world am I doing with my life, my story” kind of way.

It’s about remembering and telling your stories.

Like I said I am only ½ way through but gosh it is inspiring me. Here I sit in the Amsterdam Airport heading to Africa with 8 other bloggers to what?

Tell you a Story . . . tell you a LOT of Stories.

And stories can look different (Donald talks about YOUR story) but I was thinking about how I love that I can give you a glimpse into someone else’s story on the other side of the globe through a picture. And I love that we have some incredible writers with us on this trip that can tell you a story through their words.

And this week you will have stories about the kids and families we will meet in Kenya, but also stories from each of us as each one of us experiences Kenya and experiences Compassion in Kenya.

Are you following me? Am I already jetlag typing

Okay back to STORY.

I love a part of his book that talks about the story God has created

“I Like the part of the Bible that talks about God speaking the world into existence, as though everything we see and feel were sentences from his mouth, all the wet of the world His spit.”

I keep thinking about this and looking back at my travels and looking ahead and looking at my Story and the Stories I get to share with you. Thinking and excited to embrace those stories. . .

So think about your own Story and how maybe just maybe Our stories this week can become a part of your story.

That maybe we, and the people we tell you about can become characters in your story.

And you can become a character in a families story by sponsoring a child through Compassion.

Alright about to board for KENYA. . .

See you soon!

I went here ( you should too!) and downloaded his newest song!

As I scrolled down I saw that he wrote “The Story behind I’ve Got You”

and well . . .

You must read it!

and listen to this song!!

Its a beautiful song inspired by Kiran, an amazing girl we met in India.

And She has messed me up all over again today in the most beautiful way!

An ATV ride along the Nile River and thru the Ugandan Bush passing crazy terrain, muds, villages, streets… you name it! And did I mention we were riding on an ATV!!

Did I mention we got DIRTY! I am talking wash your hair 3 times and it is still Red Dirty!

But let me just say. . .

It Was A BLAST!

Today is our last day in Uganda…we will be on a plane tonight….

Cant wait to share more pics and stories!

What a great trip!

This Is It!

She was definitely Ah-Mazing to talk with today. . .I think  you will see why!

Thank You Sponsors – From Compassion International Sponsor kids from keely Scott on Vimeo.

Change a Childs Life . . .