This Friday, 80 filters and buckets will be distributed in Kibera. For many weeks these families have been waiting to receive a ticket to the distribution event and the time has finally arrived.  This ticket provides them with access to safe, clean water. It spares them from water borne illness and overall means healthier physical conditions for the whole family. This ticket is the beginning of a relationship with a missionary who will connect with them and share the good news of Jesus Christ. It truly is a ticket of hope.

Why a ticket?

Once the number of filters to be distributed for the week is determined, local teams go into the slum and “mark” off the next set of houses.  The local team then goes door to door to share the news that Friday is the day that families will receive their filter.  The team member’s name and the event time and location is indicated on the ticket.  As teams visit with families door to door, they are already sharing Christ’s love through the interest and care they show all whom they meet.

Today, during ticketing, we met Clemente.  Clemente is a local tribal chief and the director of a school in Kibera. This particular school is very impressive and there are 225 kids who attend. As we were walking through the school, we noticed more than a dozen mattresses stacked. We inquired about the need for mattresses and Clemente shared with us that there was a fire in an area near the school last week. Seventeen students and their families lost everything they possessed in the fire.  Clemente, the director, along with the principal and teachers organized for the families to be temporarily housed in the extra rooms on the second floor of the school until they can get back on their feet.  Clemente, his principal, and the teachers all live in Kibera. Though they have very little means among them, they do everything they can to support one another. We are so inspired by Clemente and his team and we plan to return to the school in the future. We provided Clemente and the school with a ticket to the distribution event this week. After the incredibly tragic week that Clemente and his team experienced, we want to share the hope that comes from the living God.

-Elliott