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The Return to Eastleigh

nathan.

Our Monday morning in Eastleigh was so shocking that, I think many of us had mixed feelings returning there on Tuesday morning. We knew it would be emotionally draining, but we also knew God wasn’t through with us there yet. This time we visited two more schools to deliver the Book of Hope. I had a whole range of experiences from singing our national anthem with James in front of a group of fifth graders, to helping Steph and Ryan navigate serious questions about sex, HIV, and AIDS with a class of 12th graders. It’s truly amazing the access that God has granted us and the influence he has given us while we are here. Your prayers are necessary as our days are filled with countless conversations and numerous new relationships.

But once again, our worlds were rocked. To end the morning, we split into pairs for home visits. We started at Pastor Vincent’s school and were paired with two students who led us into the slums to their house (with a teacher also escorting us). The conditions are really beyond description, but our goal was to share the love of God and hope with the parents of these students. When Heather and I were finished visiting our family, we expected to see Lindsey A. and James outside to walk to the next home. When they were already gone, we embarked on our own trip to find them. I pray that I never forget that walk. Our two young friends running, guiding us through the second largest slum in all of Africa, with Heather and I following behind. The sounds, the smells, the pictures are unforgettable. (Since I know family and friends are reading this, we did find James and Lindsay eventually, safe and sound of course.) On our way out, Heather and my hearts paused as we saw a young boy, crying, laying on a trash heap. I think we was just throwing a tantrum, but that image will always be with me. 

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