Kajabe, Kenya… A place to meet my best friend… Mom
What an experience to get to serve in Kenya, Africa alongside my mom. We do everything together at home; shop, eat out, go to church, play games, and live. This week we got to share the gospel…together. We got to love on the extreme poor and the people that have more needs than we can fathom. I got to watch my mom love on the little Kenyans and learn that it is totally acceptable to hug, kiss, hold hands, and play with any child we met. I got to see her joy in holding little Mary’s hand and having Mary LOVE on her… all because Mom said YES to loving on the village children.
I got to watch Mom’s uncomfortability in hospital ministry turn into meeting a little cross-eyed boy with a clubfoot and having noisemaking competitions. His day was brightened because Mom came to Kenya.
I had the opportunity to play futbol (soccer) alongside mom and watch as the young kids celebrated when she almost made a goal. Love can be shown in many ways… She loved well by playing. We got to worship in a hospital room with a squadmate. What joy to praise God in a smelly place and learn all of the nurses were standing outside the door listening!
I loved watching mom freak out when the vehicle would tilt slightly. I found it most hilarious when the parents thought we were going to die on the road almost all the time and my teammates and I had no qualms about it! Put me on the side of a cliff at a 45-degree angle and then I get nervous! Haha It was fun to experience the third world through fresh eyes!
Disaster relief is not what was planned for our week, but when we woke up to a mud slide more severe than anything seen in the last 70 years here, it was amazing to scoop mud alongside Mom who was more than happy to do whatever she could to help.
We got to see hippos, giraffes, zebras, impalas, wildebeests and others, but the most precious moments were when I could see the love of God in my mom’s heart of service. I got to hang out with my mom. I got to hug her, pray with her, and share chocolate with her. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect week spent with my best friend. I love you Momma Bear! Let’s do it again!?!
