Climbing Mountains

My family and I recently climbed Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. It was difficult and challenging to make it to the top. We needed encouragement, assistance and advice to help us succeed in reaching the top of point Lenana. There were times when it was painful, exhausting and joyful. I fell down several times and then got back up again to strive towards the goal of reaching Lenana. We hired a guide to keep us on the right path. We hired porters to help us carry our heavy bags. People have attempted to climb the mountain only to fail, get injured or even die on Mt. Kenya. It is a risky adventure. We could not do this alone.
We needed the right equipment. We needed warm clothes due to the freezing temperatures experienced at the high elevation. We needed flashlights to light our path because the final ascent is done at night. The guide offered advice and feedback so that we could succeed. He offered his walking stick so I wouldn’t fall so often. His experience and skill helped him to help us to succeed. He has walked the path numerous times helping others to succeed in reaching the top. I experienced a lot of pain in my ankles as I climbed. Hollye got some very painful blisters on her feet. Micah’s hip was painful during the trek. Andrew was fighting malaria. Andrew and Micah encouraged Hollye and I not to give up although we wondered at timesif the trip was worth the pain.

We succeeded in reaching our goal. It was an exciting time when we reached the top. There were others who had reached the peak as well and we all rejoiced with one another. There were times when we needed lots of help from others. There were times we needed to hear someone say to us that we can make it. There were times I had to turn and ask the guide if I was on the right path or not. Reaching the summit wasn’t easy, there were lots of challenges but we rejoiced together when we all made it to the top.

A few years ago a climber attempted to climb Mt. Kenya

alone. He got lost along the way and eventually died somewhere on Mt. Kenya. His body was never found. Just imagine the desperation, fear and despair he must have experienced realizing he was all alone and perishing.

Now, imagine yourself a teenager, all alone on the frightening streets of Nairobi. There is no place to sleep safely or eat healthily. The streets are scary with violence and danger all around. Just imagine the fear, desperation and despair these youngsters must feel as they wonder if they are perishing.
At Made in the Streets we encourage kids living on the streets to reach their goals. They need help. The teenagers sometimes fall down and need encouragement to get up. Charles (or “Chizi” – crazy) was living in a broken down truck and going down the wrong path. He spent his days begging and collecting scrap metal in order to buy marijuana and glue to sniff to ease his discomfort. In his high states he was hit by motorist and another time bitten by police dogs. The path he was on was leading to destruction and despair. He needed our help to get him back on the right path. All of the kids living on the streets have experienced terrible pain in their lives. Many have buried

both of their parents. All have been abused. All have been misled by others. There are times when they don’t eat for long periods of time. What they do eat comes out of the trash heap or someone may offer them small amounts of leftovers. It is a very painful existence.

Anastacia was not equipped to succeed. She had dropped out of school and was living in poverty. After the death of her mother, she spent her days in the streets. She needed training and skills to reach her goals.

Made in the Streets equips children with a normal education,
skills to be employed, and the gospel of Jesus. She has completed her education and is now in journalism school studying to become a reporter. She has given her life to Jesus and has been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of her sins.
Thank you for your part in helping to lead these precious children to the Guide, who will show them the path of righteousness
and truth and encourage them

on their journey to the Mountain of the Lord.

by Larry Conway