Visit to Kiambiu

Yesterday we had our first chance to get to Kiambiu and visit with Lauryn and Tekla.  We got to share the moment with our first visitors, Alex and Craig Petersen, from our home church Summit.

As a family, we have been waiting for this day for a long time.  All five of us finally got to meet these important women in our life.   We have been praying for these women and talking about them around our dinner table for four years.  It was such a sweet moment to see Abby and Lauryn running towards each other to embrace as if they were long lost sisters finally reconnecting. There is an eternal bond there that can only come from the LORD.

We all got to sit together in Tekla’s home.  This was actually our first visit in someone’s home since we arrived last week.  How appropriate that it would be in Tekla’s place.  Health wise, she seems to be doing ok. 

We inquired about the rest of the widows and their Friday support group.  We were sad to hear that they have not met in quite some time and it seems that things have fallen apart a bit.  At this point it is unclear why or who is involved but we hope to be an encouragement and perhaps in time help put things back together.

Overall it was great to reconnect and visit but we left with a sense of discouragement. We’re not sure why the widows are not meeting together. There could be a number of reasons.  Then again, this is part of why we have chosen to be here.  To be on the ground helping serve and encourage whenever we can. 

We prayed together.  As we left, it was great to realize that we would all see each other soon.  In the past it would have been another year or so until we would be back, if ever.  For the first time we were able to say, “see you later” rather than, “good-bye “.

We left Tekla’s place with a helpless feeling, not knowing what to say or what next step to take.  We don’t have the answers.  Jesus does.  At this point, I am just find peace with the fact that God has a plan.  We realize the importance of being physically present and also having the presence of mind.  This week we have been encouraged by three scriptures.

1 Thessalonians 5:28 “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

Be present-

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Presence of mind-

1 Corinthians 3:21 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?  But we have the mind of Christ.”