Since arrival the rains were coming strong. From carwash to gudka (the home of our hosts) floods covered the pathway. The weight of our team pushed the tires closer to the holes in the ground causing the bottom of the car to scratch the surface of the unpaved road. If we weren’t aware of our heaviness before, we were certainly made aware of it every time we were given a ride. “Big ones in this car; small ones in the other.” “Big ones in the front and small ones in the back.” For those of us who were returning it was even no surprise to hear, “You’ve really added weight” or “you’re so big now.”
That small three letter word,
B-I-G,
can really cause a roar inside forcing you to forget why you even came to serve such people. Praise God for growth and experience in this country for I was able to encourage my team to move forward through the horrendous tornados that maneuvered our way so that we would be given the greatest entrance by the chief.
The rains had ceased and it happened to be my birthday. Yet another year of celebrating my birthday away from home. I wore my cute black and tan platform sandals with a blue and green dress. I had saved this outfit for such an occasion. I even made time to put on makeup and style my hair differently. Due to the holidays, it would be the first day our team was really able to do what we had come to do. We were headed to minister to our orphans and I was so excited. Our Kenyan partners rang the bell to our gate anxious for us to load the matatu and head to Rabbour. It was nice for once to have a matatu all to ourselves. We were actually able to sit comfortably without five to a three-seater, or the money boy’s elbow in our necks. We could open the windows and feel the cool breeze for our thirty minute ride.
As we pulled into this beautiful countryside children screamed, “Mzungu“ excited to see a vehicle full of us white people (Americans). The gate to Father Joshua’s was opened and the matatu stopped long enough for the last person to hop off and be welcomed indoors. White laced material with cross designs covered two sofas, four large sofa chairs, and tables in this large living room. A wise man, the uncle of Joshua (Intreach Founder), reached out his hand towards me to welcome our team into his home. We all sat hearing story after story of the rich history of Kenya until his wife entered the room. She grasped our attention and we couldn’t help but stand to greet this divine woman. “You may call me Diana, Dianne, or Deanna.” We were never given the correct pronunciation of her name; we were just made to feel comfortable by this milk chocolate woman with defined bone structure, bright smile and kind eyes.
