Holding Grandma's Hand

 

April 7, 2013 (Sunday) I traveled by motorbike to the village of Taito for the morning service. The rains have been heavy this month and the roads are suffering because of it.  Once off the main roads we traveled up into the hills and the roads began to deteriorate even more. It was evident that it would be best for me to walk the last length of road unless I wanted to take the chance of being dumped in one of the massive mud puddles.  My driver was very happy to hear of my decision! 

As I walked I carefully chose each place to step as I knew the soil beneath me was not only muddy but slippery.  In time I found some hard ground to stand on and tried to repair any damage the thirty minute motorbike ride had done to me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see someone moving quickly through the tall bushes.  One of the ladies had spotted me from a distance and was trying her best to catch me so we could walk together. The trees towered above us and provided shade from the hot sun as we continued walking together.  We could hear the voices of those worshipping within the church as they flowed out beyond the four walls into the quiet country around us.  

The service came to an end but before anyone could leave the heavens opened and the rain came down.  Here they call it “falling” instead of raining.  The wind and rains kept everyone inside the church for a long time of silence as the rains hitting the metal roof made it impossible to visit.

April 8, 2013 (Monday) We were delivered safe and sound to the door of the church in Mitume slum by motorbike. The ride can often set one into fervent prayer.  Dodging sheep, bicycles, motorbikes a child at play, a donkey & cart, swerving this way and that to avoid pot holes and the general chaos of unorganized traffic that Line Moja brings makes one know how necessary it is to ask for the Lord’s protection each and every day.  As we roll down into the slum area the lifestyle of neglect and hopelessness screams out at us from every side. 

Before the class even starts a very desperate woman enters the church with her granddaughter. She requests prayer for this little one as she has been sick. It was evident that the woman was in great need of prayer herself.

Her life story was sad.  She once attended the very church she now stood in. In fact she was one of the first members of the church.  She had wandered away being pulled down by the lifestyle of the slum and seeing no way out.  There were so many issues at hand; repeated rape, the shame of facing her family, a husband gone bad, trying to find food, facing the everyday hardships, the feeling of being tormented, sick, without medical care and using alcohol to cover the pain.  It was her little granddaughter that wanted to go to church today and she led the way holding onto her grandma’s hand.  When she arrived she was surprised to see the door open as it was a Monday!  

After an hour of talking together she asked the Lord to forgive her and help her.  With heavy sobs and her head hanging down she cried out to God for help as she forgave those that had hurt her.  We prayed over her precious little granddaughter for complete healing knowing that the Lord loves the little children.

During the class we often have little children join us or gather at the door and just wait for a smile. They are children with a variety of needs some common because of the place they live others unique because of the challenges they have faced but they are quiet and respectful as we teach.  Today we were confronted with an older boy, one we had not seen before, he insisted on interrupting our Biblical Foundation class on the Holy Spirit.  He would enter into the church, stand looking straight at me, and laugh out loud.  His interruptions were dealt with and the class continued. 

It was a day of challenges from inside and out but we saw the Holy Spirit working here changing lives and giving hope and assurance to them that they don’t walk alone.  We left rejoicing knowing that God was doing a mighty work within so many here in the slums of Mitume.

April 9, 2013 (Tuesday) On the other side of Kitale town is another slum area called Shimo.  We enter the mud walled church for our weekly class.  The drums used for Sunday service hang on a nail behind the door.  The wooden benches are pulled out of storage and the plastic chairs that are chained and locked are unlocked and put in place.   Even though it is the rainy season the morning is hot and the chicken wire at the top of the walls lets a cool breeze in.  The class is attentive and they openly share situations they are facing.  Their hearts are sensitive and the Word of God is active within them. We are so blessed to see the continued growth in each one.  Today’s class was a repeat of yesterday’s class.  It ended with so many asking for prayer. Their hearts were stirred and they cried out to the Lord. The Holy Spirit is doing such a great work within each one…..they will never be the same again.  A revival has started here in this little mud church in the slums of Shimo.

April 10, 2013 (Wednesday) I will never stay here long enough to understand the evil that I see and hear about.  The unwarranted acts against children by their parents, those that are suppose to love and protect them, continue to pierce my heart.  My mind cannot fathom how one human being can use and abuse another in such inhuman ways. 

Today I heard of a young girl who escaped from her home after being tied up for years.  She ran through the darkness of the night and proceeded to pound on the first car that came her way.  Her screams for help were real and the tears flowed from a face covered in terror. The car that came her way that night was driven by Pastor Richard and Helen the founders of an orphanage that rescue children from the slums.  She proceed to tell them how she had been tied up and used as a sex slave for years, her ankles showed the raw proof of bleeding flesh.  That night of her escape there were six men waiting for her.
 

The pastor and his wife went to her home and the story she told was not a story but real life, six men were waiting for her.   This child was rescued at the age of 9 or 10 after years of abuse.  She has had corrected surgery on one leg as being tied up for so long interfered with the normal growth of one leg.  It took a long time before she would even lift her head and look into anyone’s eyes. Time, prayer and lots of love have been poured into this dear little girl and now I watch as she stands before the church and sings from deep within.  Her song rolls out of her up into the heavens to a God that saw her in her darkest hour and rescued her.

April 11, 2013 (Thursday) When it rains in the night it easier for the thieves to attack and rob those that are sleeping.  Last night a home not to far from the lodge was broken into.   Armed men took control of the guard and tied him and the owner up.  They went through the whole house and took anything of value.  We thank God that their lives were spared.

April 12, 2013 (Friday) On Friday’s there is a time of ministry for those living in the streets.  There were piles of fresh garbage of fresh garbage that had just been brought in and dumped before we arrived. Street people of all ages gathered in the midst of the garbage.  Some huddled around their fires waiting to eat the food they were cooking while others were just trying to keep warm.  The smoke rolled through the damp air that the wind and rains bring.  They recognized us and were happy to see us. We came with bags of sandwiches to pass out after the service. 

It is a church day for them and everyone wants to take part. They sit close together in one area and offer to sing a song or two before I speak.  A young girl, now four months pregnant, stands to sing. Vivan is a natural and you can tell her song pleases everyone that listens.  John, probably one of the leaders, stands with authority and sings praises to his God.  Pastor David motions to some of the other older guys sitting in the midst of the new garbage piles to come closer and join us.   They are within hearing distance and their eyes are focused on us but they do not move.  This garbage has just arrived and they are making claim to it.  They will not move.

At the end of the service several raised their hands for prayer and come forward and kneel.  One is for salvation and the others are for health reasons, most of them need prayer for the pain they have in their feet.  They walk without shoes through the broken glass and trash and there is never time for wounds to heal.  Any shoes or clothes that is given to them is usually sold buy food to take care of the hunger pains or to purchase drugs or alcohol to kill the pain of life and the coldness of the rainy nights.

There are over one hundred sandwiches and they disappear fast.  An elder mama wraps a necklace around my neck, words of appreciation and a thank you is given from the leaders and the welcome onto their turf remains. 

April 13, 2013 (Saturday) While standing with two of the widows in Taito village I could tell that I was the topic of the conversation.  The pastor explained to me that they were worried that I might not be able to make today’s walk into the hills of Taito and Makoi village.  I really didn’t know what to expect or how far we were to travel.  All I knew is they had pointed to the hills in the far distance and said we were going over there. The conversation made me wonder just a bit if I was in for a challenge as they knew I was well able to walk for hours through the hills of Taito. The pastor’s response settled and stopped any further discussion on the matter. He told them “She is a strong woman!”

 

So off we went with my backpack, umbrella, rain coat, one bottle of water and my Bible. Our walk took us into new areas and into a new village. We traveled through areas not passable by vehicles.  It was quiet and peaceful and everyone we saw along the way wanted to be greeted.

 

If they saw the camera they quickly gathered for a photo then overwhelming joy erupted as they viewed themselves within the camera.

 

We visited along the way explaining to everyone who we were and why we were traveling this way.  It was a small community but the open fields and farm land lengthened the pathways between the homes.  Little children followed us with a skip in their walk as a white woman visiting them was very special.

The cows walked freely as they grazed at the edge of the road along the way but someone is usually standing quietly in the shadows watching over them.

We stop at a little one room store that is stocked with about 10 items. Your shopping is done by walking up to the one window made of fencing wire and asking if they have what you need.   

Today there are many smiles because in front of that window was a jar of bubble gum....just what we needed!  Even though some children are a bit fearful and will keep you at an arm’s length a piece of bubble gum is worth the stretch :)

We stop at one home and the whole family leaves their work in the gardens to join us.  We sit under a shade tree to visit and share some scripture.  All eyes are on me and their ears are wide open listening to everything I have to say.  I am the second white person that has come to visit them.  We prayed for health issues and some of their concerns and then we are on our way. 

Sarah an adult daughter of theirs joins us for the remainder of the day.  This is her village and we are more likely to be received without fear with Sarah with us. The soil here is rich and they have learned how to live off the land.  Banana trees grow quickly and easily and become a good source of food for them and their livestock.

We visit in the yard of another family and to the left I see faces peering at me through the bushes.   I look to the right and I see a another group of children watching me. We motion for all to join us as we talk and enjoy the shade from the hot noon day sun.  The family from next door has heard of a visitor in the area and has come to see if it is true. 

I have their attention and they listen as I share the Word. Everyone is quiet as I speak even the children.  The man who lives in the house next door raises his hand for prayer.  Peter, a Turkana man, wants to ask Jesus into his heart.

The sky darkens and we are such a long distance away. We hear the thunder and know that we must not delay but head back.  Evans, my interpreter, tells me that he hasn’t any energy left.  If it rains he cannot walk any faster than he is right now.  Last week he suffered with malaria and his strength still has not returned to the normal level. 

There are always short cuts or a cow path to follow and we are in a hurry. We leave the traveled country dirt road and head straight down the hills. We travel through the pastures, under the trees, through maize fields, climb over fences and jump over brooks.  We can see the church in the distance and it still looks ever so small.   My goal and my focus is to beat the storm and head straight back to the church but .......  This mama with excitement in her voice welcomes us into her home and within seconds of entering the heavens open and the pouring rain descends. 

We sit quietly inside as the rain hitting the roof is so loud we can’t hear each other talk.  When the rains start it can rain hard for hours and in a few hours darkness will be setting in. After 45 minutes or so we decided we needed to leave even though it was still raining. So with raincoat on and umbrella in hand we walked through more fields, over and under wooden fences and barb wire fences, until we returned safely to the church property our point of beginning.  

I was a little wet, a little chilled to the bone, a little muddy, a little tired and a lot happy to settle in at the lodge!  I can still say “It was a good day.” 

Psalm 147:7, 8

 

 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.