Children of Mkindu

 

Oh Africa, Your Colors Rise

 

Nairobi Market

 

Children of Makindu

The bus slows to a stop, shy of the gate,
Then, a living river, hundreds pour through
Not a sound of the walk-weary waits,
But a chorus of pure, bright "karibu".

Excitement in every wave and run,
A warmth that the Kenyan sun has begun,
In a spirit of welcome second to none.

They embraced us with such hunger and grace,

[chorus]

Longing for touch in this hallowed place.
Small hands in ours, a fleeting caress,
A simple connection, a deep tenderness.

 

A formal program, then, where stories reside,
Of the Center's deep efforts, and community pride.
Explanations given, clear and sincere,
Of the difference made, year after year.

 

The air then fills with rhythm and rhyme,
Music and dancing, across space and time.
A vibrant display, a joyful, bright sound,
As the grace of the children on the earth is found.

 

[chorus]

Longing for touch in this hallowed place.
Small hands in ours, a fleeting caress,
A simple connection, a deep tenderness.

 

Then lunch shared together, laughter and light,
Connecting with hearts shining honest and bright.
A moment of meeting, of purpose and grace,
With the children of Makindu, in this cherished place.

 

[chorus]

Longing for touch in this hallowed place.
Small hands in ours, a fleeting caress,
A simple connection, a deep tenderness.

 

 

Oh Africa, Your Colors Rise

[verse1]

Nairobi’s bustle greets us first,

Its markets shine in vibrant hues,

Warm ochre walls in city light,

Glass towers gleam beneath the sun.

[verse 2]

We traveled south to Hunter’s Lodge,

At Kiboko the springs ran clear,

A hundred birds in flashing flight

Crimson, cobalt, and gold through trees.

[chorus]

Oh Africa, your colors rise,

Your colors rise, your colors rise,

Your winds and wide horizons call,

They call us home, they call us home,

From dawn’s gold fire to midnight blue,

Your spirit dances in our bones.

[verse 3]

We climbed the slopes of Mt. Mielu,

An ancient peak now crowned with sky,

Far on the haze Kilimanjaro

Stood shimmering across the plain.

[VERSE 4]

At Makindu the children laughed,

Their murals sang in colors bold,

Bright uniforms in earthly reds

Glowed warm beneath the open sun.

 

[chorus]

Oh Africa, your colors rise,

Your colors rise, your colors rise,

Your winds and wide horizons call,

They call us home, they call us home,

From dawn’s gold fire to midnight blue,

Your spirit dances in our bones.

 

[verse 5]

We walked with Michael Farley there,

His decades guide our steps with care,

Adventure blends with purpose true,

Each path we take reveals its soul.

[verse 6]

Kilimanjaro’s colors blaze,

We taste the chapati spice warm,

The children’s laughter fills the air,

A journey shared with hearts made wide.

 

[chorus]

Oh Africa, your colors rise,

Your colors rise, your colors rise,

Your winds and wide horizons call,

They call us home, they call us home,

From dawn’s gold fire to midnight blue,

Your spirit dances in our bones.

 

The roads we walked still echo now,

Their stories carried on the wind,

Each place we touched, each face we met,

Lives deep within our traveling hearts.

 

Oh Africa… oh Africa…

Your colors rise… your colors rise…

Oh Africa… oh Africa…

We carry you in our hearts.

We carry you in our hearts.

 

 

Nairobi Market

Verse 1

Morning breaks with the drummer’s call

Rhythms dance on the market wall

Voices rise as the day begins

Life is moving on joyful winds

 

Verse 2

Kangas glow in a shining row

Weavers smile as the colors flow

Spices lift in the warming air

Crowds move steady from everywhere

Chorus

Nairobi drums, they call the name

Hear the beat in every frame

Colors rise where people roam

Nairobi’s heart will feel like home

Repeat Chorus

Nairobi drums, they call the name

Hear the beat in every frame

Colors rise where people roam

Nairobi’s heart will feel like home

 

[solo]

 

Verse 3

Buses push through the crowded lanes

Engines hum like the tribal plains

Footsteps blend in a steady roll

All together, one city soul

 

Verse 4

Merchants gather with crafted art

Voices echo in every part

Song and laughter around the square

Pull the sunset into the air

Pull the sunset into the air

Pull the sunset into the air

 

Chorus

Nairobi drums, they call the name

Hear the beat in every frame

Colors rise where people roam

Nairobi’s heart will feel like home

Nairobi drums, they call the name

Hear the beat in every frame

Colors rise where people roam

Nairobi’s heart will feel like home

 

[Bridge]

Under moonlight drums grow strong,

Pulling every heart along.

Stories circle through the night,

Guided by the firelight.

 

Chorus

Nairobi drums, they call the name

Hear the beat in every frame

Colors rise where people roam

Nairobi’s heart will feel like home

Nairobi drums, they call the name

Hear the beat in every frame

Colors rise where people roam

Nairobi’s heart will feel like home

 

Outro

Drums fade slow in the silver air,

Night winds carry a gentle prayer.

Nairobi—bold in every tone,

Your heartbeat leads the traveler home.