{Down That Red Dirt Road}
This month my team and I are in Nakuru, Kenya working with a local pastor to build a church about 15 minutes outside of town. Sometimes the construction is a little. .intense.. for us less experienced laborers, so we take some time to walk around the village and meet people. Today was our first day to go on a walk around the back part of the village, which contains a large camp for 'displaced' people. These people were displaced during the post election war violence in 2008. The 'camp' consists of rows of scrap metal homes where people simply survive. As we were walking, we met many people on the road and were constantly greeted with warm smiles and 'Karibu' which means welcome in Swahili. The people here are so hospitable and genuine in the way that they love.
One lady that we met is named Joyce. We ran into Joyce on the street and she showed us a purse that she was making, which she was carrying with her. We told her that it looked very nice, and she invited us to follow her to her home so that she could display the rest of the items that she has made. We followed her and entered her one room tin-walled home. She cleaned off space for us to sit down, and began taking out all of her handiwork. She makes handmade beaded purses, paper bead necklaces, and beautiful woven baskets.
She explained that before she was displaced and forced to move to the camp, she owned her own general store, but she had to leave it and find new means of living. She learned to make these items from a friend, and is also going door to door doing peoples laundry in her area for a very low rate. Joyce does all of this work in order to pay the school fees for her five children/grandchildren. She has had some children die, and a son who is an alcoholic, so she is currently raising 5 young children on her own.
Joyce told us countless times what a huge blessing it was to her that the Lord sent us along her road today. We purchased some necklaces from her and she said that she was so thankful that the money will be able to pay a large portion of the school fees for her children.
We just happened to meet Joyce on a small dirt road near her home, where no one would expect a group of Mzungus (white people) to be randomly strolling through. It is so encouraging to see how God puts people in your path at just the right time. I (along with everyone else on my team) have been really thinking a lot lately about 'what's next'.. and God placed a huge dream on my heart back in Month 3. I have been brainstorming on it ever since, and know that it is possible in Gods will and timing. But, as the end of The World Race gets closer, I was beginning to question how in the world I am going to get started.. and whether or not that is REALLY what I should do. Last night, my team and I sat down to talk about what we are currently struggling/dealing with. A few of us shared that we were struggling with finding peace and completely trusting that God had our future in His hands, and finding the balance in how to stay present on the race, while also preparing to go home in just a few short months.
My dream involves helping people like Joyce to use their skills and abilities to make a living. I see people like Joyce pretty often, who use whatever trade that they can to make money.. but Joyce got my heart beating again for the cause. The cause that is global, and will never end. These women love their children, and in order to get them a good education, they do whatever they can think of to make enough money to pay their school fees. Pray with me for Joyce, and that she will be able to sustain a profitable business by selling her handicrafts. And also pray for me, as God continually uses people like Joyce to show me where He plans to use my life next.
Thanks and God Bless! -MK
