Without a signal the lights went out. There wasn't even a warning flicker, just black-out. The only light to be had was what was streaming through the crude front door. However the absence of light did not seem to bother the 300 children that were having their mid morning porridge. They continued as if this was a regular occurrence, because sadly it is a common part of life in the slums.

Although it is hard to imagine, the lack of consistent electricity is probably one of the least challenging parts of living in the slum. When your main daily concern is survival, electricity is no longer an absolute necessity. And this daily ordeal of finding a way to survive is the plight of close to one million people who call the Lunga Lunga slums home. The Lunga Lunga slums are one of the many slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

Life in Lunga Lunga is difficult, if I were to put it lightly. With the daily income for most of the slum residents at about $2.00 per day this leaves much in the lacking category. This minimal income also means that children don't get much, if any of a chance to attend school. Often they are used as 'drug mules' or in other dehumanizing ways. If you were to look through the eyes of one of these children you would likely see hopelessness, a future that promises little less then the present, and a life of daily fending and defending themselves. 

But right in the middle of this bleak picture there is a beautiful beacon of light and hope. Wells of Joy Ministries was founded by Pastor Geoffrey Muntugu in 2008. With a vision to start a slum church, Pastor Geoffrey begin to devote his life to this work he felt God calling him too. He has not giving up nor turned aside even when discouragement has tempted to overwhelm him. After two short years the ministry grew to include a school. Brilliant Sharping Community School now has 300 students with that number only to increase. And with the steady flow of children coming in there is unending needs. Needs so innumerable that one quickly begins to feel overwhelmed. Needs that adults should never have to face let alone a child.

Don't leave me yet! I'm about to show you some picture of the ministry and then tell you something that I'm super excited about. Something that you may want to be a part of.

Below is a picture of the main room in the building that houses WOJ and BSCS. This room serves as a church on Sundays, a dining hall on schools days, a playground, a meeting room, and/or for any other event or need that may arise. Off this room there are a couple of class rooms, a kitchen, and a few offices. At the front of this room there is as a stairway leading up to the second level where the seven other classes are held.

After the routine 10:00 chai time, all the children scurried to their respectable classes. As they settled back into their desks Nancy, a faithful servant to WOJ for six yrs, showed us around. We got to peek in on each class.  And I might add here that the children are all so well behaved. There was no jumping up or shouting when the 'wazungus' peeped in to the class. They all just had a pencil in hand, a notebook, and a huge smile -oh, and a wave too! :)

For those of you that purchased t-shirts a few months back in support of WOJ, here is where your money went. Thank you for your support! Because of your helping hand these children can now have textbooks of their own.

Sorry to interrupt you miss, but I can't resist this photo!

So what is it that I'm so excited to share with you? Well...

PASTOR GEOFFREY IS COMING TO THE U.S.!!

On March 11th he will board a plane headed to America. Pastor Geoffrey's main goal in coming for this three week stay is to visit the churches that have partnered with Wells of Joy Ministries and share his story and vision, as well as thank them personally for their support and prayers. For those of you who live in or around the Star City area there will be an opportunity for hear and meet Pastor Geoffrey's as well as donate to the special ministry if you so wish too. There is going to be a fundraiser for Wells of Joy in Star City. The fundraiser event will be held in the Star City Civic Center on March 29th at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome!   

If you have any questions please feel free to comment below or email me. 

My email address is: graceandlove16@gmail.com