me in. They make me wonder about her story. These are eyes that have
truly seen. Her eyes have seen extremes; extreme joy and happiness, but
also the most extreme, excruciating things none should ever have to
witness. When I look into her eyes, I detect pain, maybe even a bit of
frustration. But I also see hope. I see determination. I see resolve. I
see a woman who is solid and grounded, standing firm in who she is and
in Whom she believes. Maybe you can only see some of these things, and
maybe I see all of these things because she is one of my closest friends
at Camp Vision. Regardless, Mary’s eyes are like a window into her
heart, into her soul. Mary is a woman who has truly seen but has not
lost hope.
Mary’s
story is not all tragedy. Prior to the elections she and her family
enjoyed a vibrant relationship. She farmed and sold food, which would
earn her family up to $800 a year. Her children attended school, and
they attended church as a family.
However for the past three
years living in the camps, Mary is lucky to make $2 a week, which is
about $200 a year, a fourth of what she earned prior to the elections.
She does what she can to provide for her two sons and four girls.
Instead of attending secondary school, her eldest son, Paul, who is
15-years-old, travels to a town called Narok (90 km) to find work
tending livestock. He stays away for days or weeks at a time before
returning home with money for his family. This situation has forced this
young boy to become the provider for his family.
Mary and her
family are struggling, but they are doing what they can. I respect Mary
and Paul’s resolve and their sacrifice to provide for their family. I
know the Lord will continue to uphold and provide for them.
Mary’s eyes may always hint at the remnant of a painful past, but we
pray that God’s love, hope, peace, and joy will continue to shine more
brightly. We pray that even now, this is what people see by gazing into
them, and be drawn to the One who shines life and light into hopeless
eyes.
