New Life home

For the past two or three weeks, I have been compiling a mental list of things that do and do not cross the American/Kenyan cultural boundaries. There are some unexpected items on the “don’t” list, the most noticeable being car horns (which apparently translate to something like “Hey you, trying to cut in front of me on this busy highway, please! Go ahead! It’s no problem!” followed by a meek smile and a wave.) There are also some unexpected items on the “do” list, such as Conga lines and Michael Jackson songs. However, as I traveled to New Life Home for Children a few days ago, my heart melted, and I learned that babies from every walk of life are always adorable.

New Life is an organization of homes for orphaned babies that gives first priority to those born with HIV/AIDS. There are several homes across Kenya, and once a child is accepted to the home, he or she may remain either until adoption or until old enough to choose his or her own living arrangements. Babies are admitted and adopted almost daily, and most that test positive for HIV/AIDS when they enter are negative by the time they leave.

With the other YAVs, I visited one of the homes in Nairobi. Here, the 50 or so babies that are currently in resident are divided by age into the special babies (newborns), the crawlers, and the toddlers. I made my way to the crawlers, where I met my first of three or four buddies. The next two hours were spent holding little ones, singing “Jesus Loves Me” and helping clean up all of the drippy little noses.

While I was rocking one of the babies, I couldn’t help but smile at all of the good that had come out of this seemingly sad situation. Here I was, holding a child that may or may not have been HIV/AIDS positive…but this child was already being given a new start. His big, brown eyes were glowing with happiness, and his little smile was proof that this organization was doing something right. The nurses were his mothers, the other children were his brothers and sisters, and for a brief moment I too was a part of his loving family.

I will never forget the way that it felt when that little boy clung to my shoulder as I sang to him. I will never forget the way a little one tried (diligently) to share his dinner with me (which mostly just ended up on my clothes and in my hair.) And I will never forget the little one that crawled towards me with a smile as I waved goodbye. These children have given me hope, and they have reminded me that God’s presence knows no boundaries. He goes before us, he stays after us, and he will always be with the children at New Life Home. Thanks be to God!