Sadie “Muthoni” Eicher
It was our first day in Maai Mahiu, the town where Rift Valley Fellowship is located. Before arriving, some information about Maai Mahiu was given to us. We were told there is much prostitution due to the town being a large truck stop. Ninety percent of the population is HIV positive. Many of the children are not able to attend school due to lack of school fees. However, it was not until we arrived in Maai Mahiu that this information took life before my eyes.
We pulled into Rift Valley Fellowship, the church Isaac and Esther started. There were several women waiting to meet us. Some were older and some younger. Esther shared a little bit of information about the younger women. There were four of them—Salome, Salome, Jane, and Marcy. They were between the ages of 14 and 19. They are currently not in school because of the inability to pay school fees. Some of their mothers are prostitutes, some are not. It quickly became clear to me the reality that if they do not attend school, their likelihood of ending up in prostitution is very high.
We split up into two groups to visit these young women’s homes to pray for them and to see where they live. I ended up with Jane, 16, and Marcy, 19. Jane’s home was the first home we visited (it’s pictured to the right and is only the first window and door). Seven of us tightly packed into her home, which was one room divided with a curtain. Jane began to explain how she lives here with her seven siblings and her mother. I began to cry as I looked at the seven of us packed into her home and thought about the number of people who live and sleep here daily. I was able to get a glimpse into Jane’s life, and the more I saw, the more I realized how difficult her circumstances are compared to my comfortable life in America.
Yet here Jane and Marcy were, walking with us because they chose to attend Rift Valley Fellowship. No one was forcing them to go. Out of all the places they could choose to go, they picked this church. Rift Valley Fellowship creates a safe place for Jane and Marcy to be young women, where they can dream and where they can be off the streets.
In this time with Jane and Marcy, I began to see how the cycle of poverty works. If education is taken out of the picture, there is great likelihood prostitution will enter. If a parent is in prostitution, the likelihood is even greater because it’s a cycle that repeats itself through generations. Before the trip, I understood poverty to be a cycle. But in this moment the cycle of poverty seemed very real and more complex than I had ever thought before. And it was in this moment I was thankful for the ministry of Rift Valley Fellowship. I could see how the ministry was intervening in this cycle of poverty and more specifically, intervening in the cycle of prostitution.
One of the readings we were given talked about the idea of a holistic Gospel, which means the Gospel is directed at the whole person—physically and spiritually. The ministry of Rift Valley Fellowship understands the need for a holistic Gospel. Not only are they meeting the spiritual needs of these young girls, but they realize the need to meet physical needs as well. And sometimes physical needs may come before the spiritual needs. But in fulfilling physical needs, Rift Valley Fellowship is able to create a safe environment to talk about spiritual matters.
Not only is Rift Valley Fellowship praying for school fees, but they are trying to find people or other sources to pay for school fees. They know many of these young women are left without much to eat, so on Wednesdays and Sundays they provide a meal. Esther spends time with Jane and Marcy. She knows their stories. And she even tries to talk to their mothers to ensure they are being kept off the street.
Rift Valley Fellowship is intervening in the cycle of poverty being recreated in Maai Mahiu by meeting physical and spiritual needs. Prostitutes are being set free and restored. And young women are being kept out of the cycle of prostitution. The kingdom of God is being advanced through Rift Valley Fellowship’s holistic view of the Gospel.
We pulled into Rift Valley Fellowship, the church Isaac and Esther started. There were several women waiting to meet us. Some were older and some younger. Esther shared a little bit of information about the younger women. There were four of them—Salome, Salome, Jane, and Marcy. They were between the ages of 14 and 19. They are currently not in school because of the inability to pay school fees. Some of their mothers are prostitutes, some are not. It quickly became clear to me the reality that if they do not attend school, their likelihood of ending up in prostitution is very high.
We split up into two groups to visit these young women’s homes to pray for them and to see where they live. I ended up with Jane, 16, and Marcy, 19. Jane’s home was the first home we visited (it’s pictured to the right and is only the first window and door). Seven of us tightly packed into her home, which was one room divided with a curtain. Jane began to explain how she lives here with her seven siblings and her mother. I began to cry as I looked at the seven of us packed into her home and thought about the number of people who live and sleep here daily. I was able to get a glimpse into Jane’s life, and the more I saw, the more I realized how difficult her circumstances are compared to my comfortable life in America.Yet here Jane and Marcy were, walking with us because they chose to attend Rift Valley Fellowship. No one was forcing them to go. Out of all the places they could choose to go, they picked this church. Rift Valley Fellowship creates a safe place for Jane and Marcy to be young women, where they can dream and where they can be off the streets.
In this time with Jane and Marcy, I began to see how the cycle of poverty works. If education is taken out of the picture, there is great likelihood prostitution will enter. If a parent is in prostitution, the likelihood is even greater because it’s a cycle that repeats itself through generations. Before the trip, I understood poverty to be a cycle. But in this moment the cycle of poverty seemed very real and more complex than I had ever thought before. And it was in this moment I was thankful for the ministry of Rift Valley Fellowship. I could see how the ministry was intervening in this cycle of poverty and more specifically, intervening in the cycle of prostitution.
One of the readings we were given talked about the idea of a holistic Gospel, which means the Gospel is directed at the whole person—physically and spiritually. The ministry of Rift Valley Fellowship understands the need for a holistic Gospel. Not only are they meeting the spiritual needs of these young girls, but they realize the need to meet physical needs as well. And sometimes physical needs may come before the spiritual needs. But in fulfilling physical needs, Rift Valley Fellowship is able to create a safe environment to talk about spiritual matters.
Not only is Rift Valley Fellowship praying for school fees, but they are trying to find people or other sources to pay for school fees. They know many of these young women are left without much to eat, so on Wednesdays and Sundays they provide a meal. Esther spends time with Jane and Marcy. She knows their stories. And she even tries to talk to their mothers to ensure they are being kept off the street.
Rift Valley Fellowship is intervening in the cycle of poverty being recreated in Maai Mahiu by meeting physical and spiritual needs. Prostitutes are being set free and restored. And young women are being kept out of the cycle of prostitution. The kingdom of God is being advanced through Rift Valley Fellowship’s holistic view of the Gospel.
They also never give you your work permit card which is illegal. They also used to tell me that the school complained about lessons, etc. but when I asked the school directly, they said they never complained to the agency (Echo) and that they're happy with my https://testmyspeed.onl/ teaching.
ReplyDeleteontact the Kenyan Department of Immigration directly. Explain the situation and see if they can help you get your work permit card.
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ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful story thanks for sharing with us. ADP Workforce Now
ReplyDeleteThis is a moving account of your first day in Maai Mahiu and the stark realities you encountered. It's clear that the information you received beforehand came to life in a powerful way, highlighting the challenges faced by the community, particularly the young women.
ReplyDeleteYour visit with Jane and Marcy paints a vivid picture of their circumstances and the desperate need for support. It's commendable that they, despite their difficult situations, find solace and a sense of safety at Rift Valley Fellowship.
The article effectively highlights the importance of Rift Valley Fellowship's work in providing a holistic approach to addressing poverty and its associated issues. Their dedication to meeting both physical and spiritual needs, while advocating for education and offering a safe space, is truly inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your experience and raising awareness about the complex challenges faced in Maai Mahiu, while also showcasing the positive impact of organizations like Rift Valley Fellowship
khalidelarbi
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Our first day in Geometry Lite Maai Mahiu, the town where Rift Valley Fellowship operates, was eye-opening. Before we arrived, we were given some background on the town's challenging circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this profound experience that's not my neighbor and for shedding light on the meaningful work being done by Rift Valley Fellowship. It’s an inspiring reminder of the difference that dedicated individuals and organizations can make in transforming lives and communities.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful experience you had visiting Jane and Marcy’s homes. It’s heartbreaking to see the realities that young women like them face, especially when you witness the crowded living conditions and the challenges of their daily lives. HPInstantInk
ReplyDeleteWow, what a powerful and insightful reflection on your experience in Kenya. Your firsthand account of the challenges faced by the young women in Maai Mahiu is truly heartbreaking. It's inspiring to see how Rift Valley Fellowship is working to break the cycle of poverty and provide hope for these young women.
ReplyDeleteYour observations about the importance of a holistic approach to ministry are spot on. By addressing both the physical and spiritual needs of the community, Rift Valley Fellowship is making a significant impact.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and for
khalidelarbi
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Lack of school fees is a major barrier to education for children in Maai Mahiu. This causes many to drop out of school, depriving them of the opportunity to develop and escape poverty. Poly Track
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ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your arrival in Maai Mahiu brought the stark realities you were briefed on into sharp focus. The information about prostitution, the high HIV prevalence, and the barriers to education due to school HumanToDog fees must have been impactful to witness firsthand.
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