Overdue Gratitude

Friends and Family, 

Mambo (Hey in Swahili). I hope this letter finds you all well and filled with the presence of the Lord. I am writing this thank you letter to you after almost three full months of processing time. There are two reasons for this. 1. to give myself ample amounts of time to let god reveal himself and his reasons for me participating in the Kenya trip, and 2. to reach out to you all just as you are forgetting that I even went to Kenya. This may seem weird to you but I think its the greatest way to refocus our minds. 

Do you remember how generous you were and how closely you participated in Gods will for you as you prayed for my trip and supported me in many ways? I do, and I thank you. I try as best I can to pray for you because you have prayed for me and have blessed me. I have prayed that God would fill you with his presence. I pray that he would bless you in ways only he knows how. He is a loving God who desires to place us on the right path and I pray that he has. I do not forget about you, please know that you have not just touched my life with your enormous support but you continue to remain in my mind. I cannot say thank you adequately enough but I will try. Thank you. May God bless you. 

For those of you who have not heard from me personally about my trip back to Kenya, It was definitely different from the last in the best ways possible. Looking back I see Gods hand molding my heart and my future. He taught me patience when I was not understanding of my fellow teammates, he showed me love through visiting those we saw last time and witnessed drastic improvement in the slums, he showed me strength as we were reminded of the lives that were lost while we were away, and he showed me unconditional joy through the parents and children living in the slums. There is not a way I could describe Kenya to you but its a contradiction. These children grow up in ten by ten tin shacks held up by sticks, which the government collects rent from. The parents work long days making barely enough to place one snack in their child’s hand for the day. They undergo rape at least 6 times before they turn 13, and I could continue to tell you of the atrocities these families go through including the fact that there is over a million people living in an area the size of central park, but that would be an injustice to them. Because despite all those horrible facts, the Kenya's are the most joyful people I have ever met. They are incredibly hard working, they are extremely faithful realizing that God is the only thing they need, which allows them to live a full life. 

I became envious of their joy. I want to be able to be content with little, with nothing. Somehow this American culture pushes me back into thinking I need my nails done, hair highlighted, and another piece of technology that really just wastes my time. I learned so many things from this trip and I thank you for allowing my to grow. God is doing incredible things through your support. The special needs culture is now becoming more accepted, and more disabled children are given a chance to be educated. So much great things are coming in the future! I cannot wait to see what God has done when I return. 

The school that I work with (mohiafrica.org), is called Pangani. We worked with the same school last year. It was amazing to be able to go back and see the change and growth. The amount of special needs children has grown from 20 to 200. Those that were already in the school last year have made a complete transformation. We have witnessed shy broken spirits turn into joyful children that see a future. Through your support, we are able to not only rehabilitate physical disabilities but the entire outlook of lives. Heres why, education is the only tool these children have to get out of the slums. Education allows them to get a job that supports them outside the slums. It also builds up their own confidence and outlook so that they get themselves out of the slums. This is key because it teaches self reliance, perseverance, and hard work. We have also begun to change how disabilities are viewed in the slums which is a huge victory. If we can change the view, we can change lives. 

Our next trip will be focusing on community awareness and further outreach to the special needs population. My next step is to continue to pray about where God wants me to go next. I hope to continue the work in Nairobi while also spreading myself into Asia. Asia has been on my heart lately and I feel God calling me there. I ask you to pray for me and my next steps.

I thank you so much for the small victories you have allowed happen through Christ. He has grown your support by pouring into hundreds of live in Nairobi and Chicago. Through you support, I was also able to follow the Lords call to found a non-profit organization that seeks to refresh hope in children in developing countries through education and awareness. To learn more head to www.theoverflowfoundation.org and be sure to like us on facebook! 

Thank you all sincerely. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to call me or email me at maddie.nooner@gmail.com. Thank you!!!!!