Sometimes there are small moments in our life that wreck our world, break our hearts, and passion rushes through us like a Tsunami. These moments are sometimes started by the simplest things, sometimes as simple as a smell.
You know those smells that once it hits your nose it rushes you back to a specific memory in time, a specific person, or an event? For me…
…It’s the smell of the beach that brings me to utter relaxation and it brings me home no matter where in the world I am.
…It’s the smell of sawdust that brings me back to sitting on my dad’s work bench as a child asking “Dad what’s this? Dad what’s that?”
…It’s the smell of someone wearing the cologne of an ex boyfriend that brings me back to memories both good and bad.
…It’s the smell of burning trash that brings me back to the dumps in Guatemala and Honduras.
Today was a regular day off in town. As always, as we headed to a bus, we stopped at the same bulk product store we always go to. And like clockwork, the same 3 street boys approached us begging. Just like I have done the first 3 weeks I’ve been here, I shake their hand which is followed by them asking for money, I just say I’m sorry I can’t and then I continue to ignore them as they continue to beg. The one boy came back to me saying hello and shook my hand as we introduced ourselves. Then it hit me…I got a whiff of burning trash…the smell of garbage radiating off of him and instantly I was brought to the dumps of Central America. The store owner shooed them away and they retreated to the streets edge. As I stood there looking at them, their dirty clothes, bare feet, sniffing bottles filled with who knows what getting high my thoughts took over and my heart broke. It brought me back to my boys in Honduras and I imagined every boy at Zion’s Gate as they were before I met them. Back when Tony met them on the streets. Picturing my boys like that broke my heart and made me so thankful for Tony’s heart. I turned to Suzy and said to her “If I was in Honduras I’d take these boys home with me!” Then it dawned on me, there is no Tony…no Zion’s Gate…no opportunity for these boys here in Kenya. I told myself next time I came into town I’d bring them food. Then, I looked over as Casey handed them her Kitkat bar to share. The joy on their faces was overwhelming and a passion inside me, a hurt for these boys, boiled until I couldn’t take it anymore. I said “Casey, please walk down to the store with me and Suzy, watch my stuff”.
I came out of the store and the 3 boys were standing there. I went up to them and said while pointing to the bottle in his hand “First that stuff has got to go. Done, you hear me?” Just then an older man walked over and took the bottle from his hand. I continued “See…done, for good ok? Now here…” I said as I opened a bag pointing to its contents. “Water, 2 loafs of bread, peanut butter, and 3 spoons. You 3 guys share! And stay out of trouble. See you later!” Their smiles were contagious and there was a hint of hope in their eyes. The entire ride home from town I was completely wrecked. Yet again, God showed me a glimpse of His compassion for His hurting children.
To my boys in Honduras…I’m coming back for you! I am so proud of what you become. To the boys in Honduras I have yet to meet, the ones still on the streets, I’m ready to team up with Zion’s Gate and give you the opportunity you have been hoping for. For my new Kenyan street boys…Kevin, Richard and Bryan…it breaks my heart that I can’t do more but I do know the remaining time I am here I will go visit you and bring you food. I am praying hardcore for you. Praying that another Tony, another Nidia, another Cassie, another Jen will come your way.
And this, this is why I am here in Kenya for 3 more weeks….
