We are finally in Nairobi. We got into bed at the guest house a little after midnight. I don't know about anbody else but I slept like a log.

We went for our first visit to Huruma and the Sisters of Charity home. I don't care how much TV you have watched and how well you think you have prepared there is nothing to prepare you for the level of poverty here in the midst of great beauty. The Sisters are loving and caring and the children are clean and obviously well fed. I must say I have never seen anything quite like a king-size mattress type baby bed with nine severely disabled toddlers in it. Many were clarly delighted when we stopped to pat them and talk to them but others were too disabled even for that. I was most distressed by the flies that crawled on them and they were unable to brush them away. That is not because the place was not clean but there are goats grazing in the garbage dump just outside the gates of the home.

The baby room had at least 20 cribs with very sweet nondisabled babies, all probably under six months. Sister says they are brought to them shortly after birth by the police who find them in the gutters, garbage cans, etc. I fell immediately in love with a cutie named Gregory.

The Todders were in a yard with care givers. When we arrived the were standing at the gates peering out and reaching for us. When we came inside each of us was accosted by at least a couple of children wanting to be picked up. We did that,of course, but it is heart wrenching how they cling to you when you try to put them down...or you are holding one and another is trying to climb your leg.

We start work Monday. There are ten of us in our group including the two leaders.

more when I get a chance. Keep us in your prayers.