Monday, November 23, 2015

Wanted


Its probably been a little over a month since he came home.  It wasn’t supposed to be permanent, but he just showed up one day running from something.  He knew he would find safety at the house.  That we would protect him.  Just the week before, he was so sick with malaria.  He could hardly walk.  We took him to the hospital, got him treatment, and he went to stay with a friend until he recovered.  Being so sick and vulnerable, I think that was the day that my heart broke for him, and he stole it.

He’s getting older, but there is something still childlike inside of him.  Maybe a piece of innocence left.  Maybe it is just because he so desperately wants to be loved, to have a mom, that in front of me he becomes a child, not a young man ready to start life on his own.  

He stayed at the house for a few days and said he wanted to go home.  We were so happy.  It is a great day when a boy decides to go back to his village.  We believe in family and that children should have families.  When it becomes possible for them to go back, we rejoice.  So we made the plans and said our goodbyes.  My heart was torn that day, like it is so many days.  Happy to know he was returning to where he belonged, but sad for the ache that would be left behind by missing him.  Just in those few days, I loved that kid more than anything.  He completely stole my heart.  

I had a busy day that day and just figured that he was happy and at home, his family over the moon excited to have him back.  I guessed if I felt so much sadness over missing him and it had only been a week, surely after 6 years they would feel equally as much joy over having him home.  I got home that evening to find him back at the house.  He was curled up in bed.  Heartbroken.  

I could tell you the excuses as to why he couldn’t stay.  Why they didn’t want him.  But do they really matter?  Are any of them justified?  In one week, this boy added so much joy to my life, I couldn’t imagine sending him away or telling him I didn’t want him.  

My heart broke for him that day.  We just sat together.  There weren’t words to make anything better, or heal the wounds that were cut deeper that day.  So we just sat.  Eventually he fell asleep.  Hopefully knowing that he was wanted by me.


These boys’ wounds are deep.  They have a million visible scars that each tell a story of the harsh life they live.  But they have a million more, that no one can see.  I hope that you will join with us in prayer for the ones that no one can see.  That they would heal.  That they would know they are deeply loved and cherished.  That they are worth more than this world has told them they are.  That they would know they are wanted.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Prayer requests for women

Prayer requests for the women:


Rose Kirungi:  

  • Her son, Daniel, just sat for his Senior 6 exams.  They are the last exam to pass high school.  Pray that he passed them well.  He was also having some stomach issues and wasn’t feeling so great so pray for his health.
  • Her mom is still sick.  She spends most of her time caring for her mom.  This makes it difficult to work, as her mom can’t be left alone.  Pray for healing for her mom.
  • Pray for God to continue to provide all of her family’s needs:  rent, food, school fees, etc.
  • She is also dreaming to buy a plot of land and build a small house for her family so they can move out of the slums.  Pray that she would be able to do so.
  • Rose also asks for prayers for their group so that they can continue to work together and make jewelry and for the market for the jewelry to expand.

Joy:

  • Joy is still sick and having lots of health issues since an accident about a year ago.  Pray for her health and healing, and that God would continue to provide for all of her family’s needs.
  • Joy is wanting to start a small business to better care for her family.  She is asking for prayers to find the capital to start and for a successful business.
  • She also asks for prayers for the women as they are making the jewelry and for the market to expand.

Jolly:

  • Jolly asks for prayers for her family and her life.  That they would be in a good life, with all of their needs met and to be able to continue to send her children to school so their lives will improve.
  • She asks for prayers for her children to be successful in their studies and continue to have a desire to learn and go to school.
  • Her grandmother is not feeling well and she asks for prayers for her health and healing.

Beatrice:

  • Beatrice asks for prayers for her family, for safety, health, provision, and overall well being.
  • She also asks for prayers for God to continue to provide school fees for her 3 children so they can continue with their education.
  • Her mom is not feeling well and she asks for prayers for health and healing for her mom.  Her mom has been sick for a while and the doctors are having a difficult time treating her.  She goes to the national hospital where the lines are long, but care is free.  Also pray for the doctors that treat her.
  • Beatrice has problems with her eyes and her vision.  They are bothering her more recently.  She asks for prayers for them.
  • She would love for her business to expand.  Please pray for a more successful business for her.
  • She is wanting to complete building her home.  She asks for prayers in completing it.

Jennifer:

  • Jennifer asks for prayers in completing the building for her house.  She wants to be able to move her family out of the slum.
  • Next year her second born child should be joining a course to gain a skill that will lead to employment.  She asks for prayers as she joins and provision to pay the course fees.
  • She lost the job that she had, as they no longer needed her, so she is asking for prayers as she seeks new employment.
  • She asks for her youngest daughter to perform well in school and continue to have the desire for studying and for her to focus.
  • Her daughters, Mary and Jennifer, are still having health issues and she asks for prayers for their health and healing.



PS.  If you want a simple way to help the women, consider hosting a jewelry party or joining the monthly jewelry club.  Follow the links for more info or send us an email at lot2545@gmail.com with any questions.  In addition, if you know a store that would love to carry our jewelry line, please let us know!  We are looking for a few retailers to carry the jewelry, either wholesale or consignment.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

One year later

It has been one year since I heard your laugh, or call me mom.  

Only one year, but it feels like an eternity and just yesterday at the same time.

We’ve managed to carry on with life, but still I see people dressed like you and I start to call out to you.  Then I remember.  I see someone that walks like you, and I get excited.  Only to remember.  Sometimes, I swear I hear you, and I look around, but it was only my mind playing tricks on me.  I hear songs that you used to love to dance to, and all of the memories come rushing back.  

For a while, I shut them all out because it was too difficult to remember.  Too painful.  But these days I am learning to let them in.  To feel the sadness and loss.  To know that it was all real and I was lucky to call you mine, even if it was for a short time.

In the year since you have been gone, things haven’t changed much.  I keep hoping for a world that is different.  Better.  One where others wouldn’t have to suffer like you.  But I am still waiting.  Hoping.  

Your brothers are ok, but they miss you too.  Sometimes I find them sitting and watching, quietly, a music video for a song that was written for a friend that was gone too soon.  We all still think about you. Miss you.  Wonder why you had to go.


I know you are in good company there, and probably having the time of your life.  I can’t wait to hear all about it when I see you again.  In the meantime,  we are still fighting the good fight and hoping for a world that is good and just.  Until we meet again, know you are stilled missed deeply and loved.