Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Sa-sa (What’s up)!  Jina langu ni (My name is) Sarah.   Today we got to sleep in, which was really nice for James and me as we had been sick the last 24 hours.  We did breakfast on our own then met for family devotional time.  Jake led today and shared out of Acts 4:27-30  and 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.  Afterwards we prayed for the day, packed up our things and headed for our daily walk to Isaac and Esther’s.  As we entered through the door, the aroma of yet another delicious Kenyan meal prepared by Esther’s mom, sister-in-law and two dear friends greeted us.  When everyone was done eating, we migrated to our usual spot on the porch and enjoyed a cup of chai tea.

Hayley, Jessica and Ashley

Shortly after, Elisha and John arrived right on “Kenya” time to pick us up.  We loaded up into the vans for another “fun factor” ride down the mountain.  I rode in Elisha’s van where there is never a dull moment.  My favorite Elisha quote of the day (that he hollered at everyone we passed by) is, “Angalia katika wangu muzungus nyuma!” (Look at all my white people in the back!) J

As we drew closer to the camp and the glare of the sun from the tin roofs came into sight, reality set in this was our last day at the IDP camp.  Suddenly my eyes began to fill with water at the thought of having only one more day with them.  When I signed up for this trip back in March, I had no idea how much the people of Maai Mahiu would steal my heart.

Elisha and John drove us down the red dirt road that led to Mary’s home.  A group of kids from the neighborhood and our RVF (Rift Valley Fellowship) Kenyan rafikis (friends) were there to welcome us when we arrived.  We all said our hello’s to each other and then piled into Mary’s home.  Mary and her family led us in a song of worship and then Isaac shared a few words before leading us in prayer.  Afterwards, we ventured outside and Esther placed us into groups.  My group today was James and Peter.  As we began to walk towards our first house, I felt a tiny hand take hold of mine.  The tiny hand belonged to a Kazuri (small and beautiful) girl from the neighborhood named Sandra who wanted to join us for the day.

Mary and her family



Sandra and James

The first home we went to belonged to a woman named Jen.  Jen is a single mother of 6 who lost her husband during the election violence back in 1992.  This attack took place in the Rift Valley Province where RVF is now being planted.  Thankfully, her oldest son was of working age and was able to take over providing for the family.  Tragically however, in 2007 Jen had to re-live the nightmares as the presidential elections once again brought violence against her people.  She witnessed her son brutally murdered as he was burned alive.  Both attacks were targeted at the Kikuyu tribe – the people we have been walking among and building friendships with the last 2 days.

Since her son’s death, it has been very difficult for Jen to make ends meet.  Although she makes beautiful handbags and jewelry to sell, it hasn’t provided enough for her kids to go to school.  Jen is unable to sell her items at a market because she can’t afford the fees for space and the distance to a market is too great from her home in the IDP camp, so she relies on the sales of any visitors who come to the camp.

Through it all, Jen continues to proclaim the sufficiency of the Lord and His faithfulness to her family.   Our team heard numerous heartbreaking testimonies similar to Jen’s during our time there – testimonies of devastating losses, but hope in our beautiful Savior.  They know physical existence is not what Christ died to bring us.  He came that we might have abundant life and have it more abundantly.  As impossible and unreachable as this truth may seem, God can restore abundant life.

Grace and Peace to you,

Sarah

2 Corinthians 1:5
“For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”

Isaiah 53:4-5

“Surely You, Jesus, took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered You stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.  But You were pierced for our transgressions; You were crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon You, and by Your wounds we are healed.”