“Are you tired?”
“I’m fine,” he says as he nods his head. He had set his water jugs down at the bottom of the hill to rest before finishing the walk up the hill.
“How many times have you gone to the well today?”
“3 times.”
“How many more times do you have to go?”
“2.” He already looked so tired and weak, I couldn’t believe he had to go twice more.
“Have you eaten much today?” The question just spilled out of my mouth.
He calmly answered, “No.”
The answer took me by surprise. He had been working so hard all day carrying water up the hill to his family so they are taken care of. He never let out any sort of complaint or showed frustration about not getting enough food. It’s normal for him.
His name is Mulishid. He’s 10 years old and is the leader of his household alongside his mother. He walks to the well down the hill 5x’s a day. He loves rainy weather because then he can stay home and play. He has two younger siblings that he helps take care of. He is stick thin, but incredibly strong. He has a shy smile that can melt your heart.
Me and a couple teammates had just come from getting rolexes (chipati with egg). One of us had two and he gave one to Mulishid. We invited him to come sit and eat his rolex with us. It was such a sweet time just to see him sit, enjoy his food, and relax. It also gave us some time to talk to him and learn more about him. He loves soccer, or football as they call it. He also aspires to become an engineer when he gets older. He loves math and science.
It was such a blessing to get to know this young boy last month who does so much for his family. I had the opportunity to just love him and show him God’s love. Sometimes that meant helping carry his jugs of water home. Sometimes that meant watching his water while he got to go sing and dance with the other children at church. And sometimes that meant just keeping him company while he washed his family’s dishes.
Before we left I told Mulishid that God loves him and that I love him so much. It was so hard leaving him on the porch as we drove away in the taxi, but I know God will continue to show him love through the people around him. I am thankful for the time I had with Mulishid and I hope that I will get to see him again one day!
In God’s Love,
Emily
