This is Agnes. She’s somewhere around 20. Her body is deformed, she can barely talk and cannot do anything on her own. She lives at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Home and my team was able to visit today.There are about 25-30 women of all ages, all with severe disabilities. Shrunken heads, no legs, mental disabilities, etc.
It was a sight to see.
One huge room with beds lined against the wall, others in wheelchairs tied to poles, like Agnes. Most of them were very excited to see us while a few were embarrassed.
We took some time to walk around and introduce ourselves. It was lunchtime and we were given a plate of food to help feed the women who cannot feed themselves. I was placed with Agnes.
At first it was really awkward. I tried to talk to her but got no response whatsoever. I didn’t even know if she could understand English. I looked around at my teammates to see what they were doing, hoping I could get ideas on how to interact. Nothing. I kind of felt a little uncomfortable. But I kept talking to her, smiling, speaking scripture over her that would pop into my head and praying.
I thought about how she got to the home. It could be a number of reasons but ultimately her family couldn’t take care of her. I started to get really sad for her. I’m sure all she knows is the 4 walls of the room she’s grown up in, and the pole she’s been tied to. Her eyes just seemed lifeless.
Right at that moment this one girl leisurely walked over and took all the bananas on Agnes’ plate! Just stole them all and shoved them in her mouth. Agnes’ face lit up and she started laughing. From that point on we interacted great. She would nod to questions I asked her and anytime I mentioned the stolen bananas she would get a huge grin on her face. We became friends. Over stolen bananas.
I found out she loves music and to “dance” and promised her that next week I would bring my guitar.
So even though at first I felt sad and sorry for these women; that their families had forgotten them and they would never have a normal life, God has not forgotten them. He knows them by name. He knows every hair on their head and He is taking care of them. There are wonderful Kenyan sisters who volunteer and work at the home. They have so much love for these women. None of them seemed like they were there out of obligation. They didn’t get frustrated when the women would spit the food out or knock the plate out of their hands. It was my favorite day here in Kenya so far.
I can’t wait to go back next week and see my new friend!
