I’m stealing this blog from a group of friends that are still heavily involved with the ministry that the World Race and Adventures in Missions is currently doing. One of my good friends from my year of travel, Matt Ruple, is setting out on a Kenya initiative to help support families in camps that have fallen on some super hard times. To get the word out and raise awareness for their ministry, they are telling the stories of the individuals they meet. After all, these stories are the things that truly touch our lives and call us to action.
Meet Mary Njeri Kariuki. When I look at this picture, Mary’s eyes draw 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.
