In 2009, I fell in love. Dark skin, beautiful eyes that stared into my soul and a smile that went on for days. Perfection. Saying goodbye meant leaving a huge piece of my heart 9,000 miles away from the rest of me. It was two years before those pieces were reunited, but in 2011 as I sat in my matatu waiting for the gates to the Bread of Life Center to open, I felt them beginning to come together. Wrapping my arms around that neck made everything in the world feel right again. For 7 glorious days I got to see that smile, stare into those eyes, and feel love the way I never had before. For my love had grown, if that is even possible. But then it was again time to say goodbye. I didn’t know how I was going to survive the goodbye this time. I didn’t think I could do it. I pleaded with God to let me stay, or to at least promise I would be back soon.
He remained silent.
Little did I know He had a plan far beyond anything I could imagine. He had a much bigger adventure planned for me than a 12 day trip to the place and people I loved so much.
Today my heart became whole again. Today I got to throw my arms around her neck, stare into her eyes, and see her smile from ear to ear.
We met Jimmy, my American missionary friend who I have met on my previous two trips to Kitale, Kenya, at The Coffee Shop ( aka The Café as we called in on my Highpoint trips). 4 of my teammates, plus myself, Jimmy, Melody, and the driver piled into Jimmy’s technically 5 person vehicle. (Welcome to the World Race) We made the 15 minute drive from town to Seeds Children’s home. I could hardly contain my excitement. I literally giggled like a child the whole way there. Then we reached the gate. As it opened I couldn’t help but as if I was driving up the driveway to my home. It was familiar, it was nice, it was safe. It made me joyful.
Things have changed so much in two years! Jimmy gave us the tour of the property. They have 500 chickens housed in the chicken house we helped build my first year here. Instead of the 4 cows they had when I visited 2 years ago, they now have 12. They have one fully functioning green house, full of tomatoes, and one in the process of being built. At the back of the property they have 4 tilapia ponds with 1,000 fish in each of them.
But the biggest change, at least in my opinion, is the addition of the 100 bed girls orphanage. IT IS HUGE!!! Pictures do it no justice. It has 12 bedrooms, each holding 4 bunk beds, with PLENTY of room for a sitting area and a study area, or more beds when the time arises. Each room also has a toilet (squatty) and a shower (with water heater!). There are also 4 house parent rooms, each with their own toilet and shower, plus 2 guest rooms, and a huge multipurpose room.
After the tour we met up with Pastor Richard and Helen. It was so good to see them again. Helen was able to tell my team about how Seeds started as well as some stories about some of the kids. And then we heard the sound I had been waiting for all day. The bus was coming! It was time to hide in the house and wait for my love to get off the bus.
I could hardly contain my emotions. I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or cry, so I did both. It seemed to take a million years for them to get the kids off the bus. They shuffled most of the kids around back and as they filed in some of them recognized me. First was Cynthia followed shortly by Elizabeth. And then there she was.
Veronicah came through the front door, and I moved slightly toward her until she saw me. She let out a little squeal, as did the same, and then I threw my arms around her neck as she buried her head into my shoulder. It was absolute perfection. Nothing could have made that moment better. It was everything I had hoped it would be. Both of our prayers were answered in that moment.
For the rest of the evening things fell into place, just as they had every other time I had been there. She stayed close to my side and every now and then we would just hug each other for no reason. Seeing the other kids was just icing on the cake. They have all gotten so big, and of course asked all about their parents in America. I was able to snap some good pictures and give out lots and lots of hugs. I even got a picture with both Veronicah and Oliver. (the other little one I fell in love with in 2011, who by the way now speaks.)
The kids are doing great. It was so natural being with them. It just solidified even more how much I want to be there on a permanent basis someday. For now I will just have to wait on God’s timing.
But for this month, I am finally home and my heart couldn’t be any happier.
