Our first HEART project-related adventure outside of the compound was long-awaited….at least for me. Sure, I was kept busy preparing for the interns, meeting with Vickie, putting together 6 different schedules (one for myself and for the interns), planning projects, and waiting to move in to my room at the compound… But there is something about being in the field that reminds you of why you are there. It had been about 5 days and though I was at HEART, I felt like I hadn’t really gotten to the heart of things yet. To be honest, that is one of the greatest challenges with being intern coordinator. Instead of being busy experiencing the fun, taking part in the teaching, and looking forward to the next adventure, I am making sure the interns are doing all of the above. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely love being intern coordinator. The interns we have this year are spectacular and each have a unique gift and personality to offer to HEART and the people of Kenya.
Anyway, this all to say… It was very good to get out in the field once again. I was so deeply reminded of the love God has given me for the Kenyan people. The interns and I visited the Bulbul WEEP Center first, only to be delayed to the Ngong WEEP Center because not all of the women had arrived yet. “Hakuna wasiwasi,” (No worries) as we say in Kenya. “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break.” So Jackson (Kenyan staff and currently the only driver for HEART) took us to Ngong. When we arrived, Mary, Ngong WEEP Coordinator, showed us a tour of the place. After we sat and introduced ourselves (this was my first time to Ngong WEEP center). Each of the women gave a quick testimony, always thankful for the love they receive from visitors and their “Mama” Mary. One of the women was using a voice box because in addition to HIV she suffered from throat cancer. As if life could not be broken enough from the pain of stigma and other challenges when diagnosed HIV positive, she had no voice. When she spoke you had to listen closely to hear her thankful and joyful words. How could someone who has suffered much be so joyful? I wonder this all the time. And all the time I am reminded of what a great God I serve. It was so evident from their stories that they are another group of women, who through the empowerment and resources provided through HEART and this center and ultimately the power of God, have been brought from death to life.
Aubrey, one of the interns, shared an encouraging word on fellowship. I played a song on the guitar, which the interns joined me in singing. And Ashlee and Brittany helped paint the women’s nails. It was just a very relaxing time for us to love on them. Though I was tempted to think that our time there was in vain because we weren’t really doing anything to practically help these women, it was evident in the smiles on their faces that they simply delighted in being loved—something they had never experienced once declared HIV positive. We spent a good amount of time singing and dancing with the women as well, which of course was a blast. The Ngong WEEP women are known for their singing and dancing—cause once they get going they hardly stop. Even as we departed to be able to visit Bulbul and escape Nairobi traffic in time, they sang us out the door.
When we arrived at Bulbul WEEP Center, I was blessed to see some familiar faces. Some of the women recognized me from the previous year, and it was a delight to see them again. The women at Bulbul, however, were a bit shyer than the Ngong women. Please be praying for them, as I know they can do great things if only Christ strengthens them. Again, I played a song for them after Aubrey shared her devotion and we danced together. We did not stay at Bulbul for long because a few of the women arrived late; I did not want to steal precious time when they needed to be working on sewing mosquito nets at the center.
Overall, I was thankful to be reminded that my work here (through God’s strength), whether directly or indirectly, is affecting lives—even if in the smallest way.
