Ok, today was such a gift! We were so privileged to meet my good friend’s family. I met Chiru and her husband, Alan, at our church several years ago and the Lord immediately made Chiru a sister. She has served alongside me many years in the VBS ministry, prayed with me when I struggled, and prayed over me when my heart needed it most. She is a faithful friend, and I am grateful for her and her husband.
So, when she learned that we served only a ten-minute drive from her sister, Mercy’s home, she asked if we would want to meet her – ummm, yes!! Mercy and her daughter, Binta, welcomed us (9 of us!!) into her beautiful home and spoiled us with an amazing meal – Pastor Samuel and his wife; their grandson, Kingsly; and Tolly, one of Samuel’s boys – were all amazed at how wonderful the food was and were all blessed and encouraged by the time to just be together with Mercy and Binta. We talked for literal hours, but it felt so fast! We were even able to Facetime with Chiru and Alan! We left filled up in all the ways ?
And then…we went to the school and had THE BEST dance party and celebration with the children. Monday was a national holiday here. So, as the boarders gathered to take their evening meal, Teacher Earnest arranged a fun time for the kids. And even before that, Pastor Samuel and I (Rebecca) organized a surprise Facetime with Mama Sundi (Kim) – and she got to speak with many of the students, teachers and children of Pastor Samuel. It was a wonderful reunion – even if over video thousands of miles away.
So onto the dance party…WOW! Let me tell you, these kids can dance! When the children who board at the school told their friends on the street that we were celebrating, the neighborhood children came and came and came. We filled that church with over 60 children, and it was so much fun! We danced and giggled and then we handed out the socks that you all so graciously donated – Oh. My. Word. At one point I found myself in the midst of a “sock mosh pit” (a new experience for me for sure) LOL! It was the best! I will never tire of the ease with which the children find joy. I feel like we see glimpse of the heart twinkle in our Father’s eye when I watch these kids receive, what to us is a common and “small” thing – like socks – and find so much joy and excitement. They don’t compare and grumble and say, oh great, socks and not candy. Ask me how humbling it is to have a mom come you and say thank you for giving her children socks because it has been cold and now her children will be warm. It’s humbling and powerful. On behalf of all of the children…including the many who came from the surrounding neighborhood, thank you for taking the time and resources to send us with these gifts. I was able to fill an entire duffle bag with just socks! In my devotions yesterday I read Mark 9 “And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them; and when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, ‘Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.’” I watched the Lord scoop these beautiful children up in His arms last night. I watch the faces of mothers who were held by their Father and shown in a tangible way that they are not forgotten. Again, I say “thank you.” (or, as we say in Kenyan Swahili – “Asante Sana”)
Love & blessings,
Mama Aidan (Rebecca)
