Mitumba

Pastor Shadrack and his wife, Violet, are Luos (that's one of the largest tribes in Kenya) and work in a slum called Mitumba.
Mitumba is a tiny little slum, a mere 15,000 people jumbled together in a tiny corner of the city. Airplanes from Wilson airport zoom overhead and across the fence is the edge of the Nairobi Game Park.
Mitumba is a Swahili word for "cast off," or "second-hand," or "worthless." It's the name Kenyans give to the huge loads of cast-off clothing that makes its way here from North America. It's Mitumba, cast-off, no one else wants it. Mitumba is where these people live.
It's also a state of mind. Pastor Shadrack knows full well that these people consider themselves "Mitumba." Of no worth. Cast off.
Shadrack and his wife, Violet, have been at work here since 2002 and their number one goal is to move this mindset from "worthless" to "of great worth."
They're doing an excellent job.
They and a crew of volunteers and staff educate over 400 children grades one through eight, and feed them too. They shelter over 20 orphans; kids who have lost both parents. They preach the Gospel and a lot of other things too.
To an outsider, the ramshakle buildings where this all takes place, tucked in Mitumba Slum, are nothing special. In fact, they don't look so much different from the other shacks and buildings going on. But the fact is, these buildings--and what happens inside them--is absolutely transformative.
Over the years, not only has education increased, but so has hygiene, and trust. Two years ago, when slum communitities around Kenya were erupting with violence because of the presidential elections, only Mitumba Slum was spared the violence. Shadrack and Violet were later recognized by the government for this rather impressive feat.
But more importantly, the people of Mitumba are beginning to realize that this name--Mitumba--does not have to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's just a name, and they do have worth. They're starting to know that now.
So for the next week, Daniel, Luke, Hani and Danielle will have the awesome privilege of trying to tell this story in a compelling way. It's one of the pro bono projects we're doing to do our bit to help those who are helping the poor.

Oh, Andrew showed up this morning so we're all here. Excellent.