 Two days after Christmas in 1999, the Browning family, Armistead, Geil, Ryan and Morgan, journeyed to Nairobi to work at Nyumbani, a home for orphaned street children who are HIV+. During the next three weeks, under the auspices of the Kenyan Children Foundation and the guidance of Joanne LeClaire, this little group worked, played, reflected, laughed and cried. In the end, all agreed it was a time of deep spiritual learning and growth.
Upon entering the country, Geil wrote: It's hard to believe that a week ago we were wedged into a pew at St. John's Cathedral in Denver to celebrate the glories of Christmas Eve. We usually attend this service because we enjoy watching the children participate in the telling of the Christmas story. It's quite a production . . . three kings march down the aisle dressed in the finest costumes their mothers and/or the church can provide, angels are decked out in fairy lights, powered by battery packs, and the baby Jesus is a life-sized doll. The excitement is palpable. Throughout the church, I can hear the children's thoughts: "Just get through this service and then Santa comes!"
Seven short days later, we are in Africa celebrating New Year's at a mass also designed for children. The difference is these children have no parents and all of them are HIV positive.
We enter the classroom-turned-chapel for the service, take our seats at the back of the room and, within seconds, four children plop in each of our laps. Pricilla, age 5, chooses me. She raps her arms around my neck and whispers, "I am glad you are here." I am glad too.
 Father Angelo D'Agostino, the Jesuit priest responsible for starting Nyumbani, begins the mass. Then, as faint drum beats sound in the background, Protus, the young administrator of Nyumbani, weaves his magic by reciting the Christmas story to the children in Swahili. As he tells the story of the shepherds coming to see the baby Jesus, he draws children from the audience to act out the scenario. Without fanfare, certainly without costumes, children are selected to portray Mary, Joseph, kings, shepherds and the baby Jesus. They do so with solemnity befitting the occasion. The excitement among the other children is palpable. Throughout classroom-turned-chapel, I can hear the adult's thoughts -"Some of these children won't be here when Santa visits next year."
Molly's Reflections
I am leaving my heart in Africa. This trip has been so much more than I expected. There have been so many differences from the plants and trees, the animals and the amazing number of birds; from the starts at night to being a white minority.
With all of these I have still felt at home. Nyumbani is a much more joyful experience than I was expecting. Although these are sick children, some of them very ill, the strongest impression is one of children allowed and encouraged to be that, just children. There is plenty of healthy food, a regular schedule including school, physical activity and lots of loving attention for each individual child.
I am leaving Africa, going home with the personal knowledge of how much and how appropriately KCF is working in Kenya.
Jim's Reflections
When I came to Africa I wanted to be a world beater. I wanted to work my butt off and show many accomplishments as evidence that I have been here and I had made a difference. What I learned is that the physical changes I could make are not important. What these children need most is LOVE. Someone to love them and play with them and make their lives just a little bit happier, that is what is truly important. I watched 30 to 40 kids playing on a playground, just being kids. They were playing with bubbles, or balloons, or noisemakers, or just playing. If I helped make one part of one day in the life of just one child happier, then I have made a difference.
Bill and Jane's Reflections
 What made this visit so memorable was the opportunity and the privilege to experience the mission of KCF and to share in a small way its compassionate involvement with the Kenyan street children. During our short three week stay, we certainly gained much more than we contributed.
Some time was spent planting flowers and lending some limited carpentry skills in helping to construct an extra room in one of the buildings at Nyumbani. It was a fascinating experience to work with two local carpenters who did great work with limited tools and who declared Don and me "Kenyan fundis" (carpenters) after we impressed them with our talents (in spite of a crooked hinge).
We were overwhelmed by the lovable 45-50 HIV+ children at Nyumbani -- a fortunate few abandoned or orphaned children who are being given love and care by a devoted staff. What a heartwarming experience for us -- to watch the children in their church service, their classes, their quarters and their play -- to hold them and talk to them. They loved to have their pictures taken, to touch our skin, to feel our hair, and to play with the toys we brought.
Finally, we must commend Joanne for the work she is doing. We were overwhelmed with her knowledge of the history and current events of the country, her ability to get things accomplished, the respect that the staff and others have for her, and the manner in which she represents KCF and is brining about its mission. We enjoyed being with her and she was a helpful and delightful companion.
Thanks to Joanne, the children and staff of Nyumbani and Kibera; the Sisters at Resurrection Garden; Daniel (Joanne's colleague) and all those who made our trip a most memorable and rewarding experience.
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