A family with 2010 kids and counting

Went to a fabulous concert this evening…performed by the children of the Mulli Children’s Family from Kenya. Un-buh-leev-able! Strong and tight harmonies, very well spoken and confident kids…they had SO much life in their eyes.
Mulli Children’s Family is a place where over 2000 children live, learn and are loved. Charles Mulli, a man himself abandoned as a 6 year old knows what it is like to be homeless and hungry. After years on the street, he slowly worked his way up, eventually becoming an enormously successful businessman. He, his wife, and their children are now spending their lives helping kids in a country ravaged by drought, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
Cool things about MCF:

• They were on being increasingly self sustaining. They provide employment to 600 people in the area harvesting green beans for use for themselves and for export. This has become a challenge during the 3 year drought…the river bed is literally totally dry. They now not only figure out how to feed the 2000 kids in their family, but also now feed thousands of people in the area daily. They help out those around them...even when they have more than 2000 of their own mouths to feed.  WOW.
  
• They’ve got a bunch of their kids in university. The fellow who gave his story tonight has his sights on being a professor of medicine…nobody’s laughing cuz it’s not a fantasy, it’s a plan. These kids are raised to be happy and grateful...mindful that they will have the opportunity to "pay it forward" by becoming educated and making a difference in their country.
  
• The plan of MCF is FEEL: Feed, Educate, Empower, and Love. These kids are loved and they know it.

One of the cool stories I’ve heard? When they first bring a child to MCF, they recognize that being on the streets, being vulnerable to violence and wondering where the next meal will come from creates a sense of anxiety and fear that doesn’t go away. When the child first comes, rather than put the child in school right away, they let the child work in the kitchen. This is in recognition that the child will be too anxious to learn…by working in the kitchen, the child will have a chance to see the food be present, will have (and be allowed) to take the opportunity to snack a little as they help prepare the food—this grazing will allow the child to relax and after 2 or 3 months, is then calm enough to be able to attend class and learn

The children are encouraged by the counsellor to tell their stories—many of them have histories rife with violence, sexual abuse, physical abuse, parental death, poverty and hunger. They are told that when they tell their stories, their heart will be better able to be healed…and that telling their stories to each other will encourage other children to tell their stories, and then they will experience healing. A spokeswoman for the orphanage says: "It might be painful for you to hear his story tonight.  You might wonder if it is good for him to share.  He shares because it is healing for him.  He shares to show you his courage to tell his story.  He shares so that you might be encouraged to find your own courage to talk about what hurts you so that you can do healing work too."  Cool.

They not only are victors of their circumstance, they are fun too.  A small taste of what we saw yesterday:


It was standing room only as we watched the children dance, do acrobatics and sing…reminding us of the importance of connection we have with each other as citizens of the world, calling us to be aware of what is going on in other parts of the world, calling us to work for healing in our own lives, and giving us a great time. 

Thanx, MCF children, for teaching and inspiring me about life, love, courage with the beauty of your performance today.