Stories of Empowered Lives

This past week, I sat in a staff meeting with a group of 20 Kenyans who work in the training center in Kipkaren as we were asked this question: “When you think of a life that has been empowered by ELI, who comes to your mind?” One by one, we began to share the names and stories of people whose lives we have witnessed being changed. Many began by saying that they themselves & their families were the ones empowered with vision and hope for their lives.
Mwei, one of the gardeners at the training center, retold the story of one of our Home-Based Care (HBC) clients named Kibet. He said that he used to hopelessly push him on the back of his bicycle to try and get treatment. Through HBC, he has witnessed Kibet receive quality care and regain his strength to the point that he is now working on the construction team at the ELI Children’s Home.
Pastor Peter shared about a lady named Dinah. She is 26 years old, a single mother of 3, who has been blind since childhood. She recently tested positive for HIV, along with her 2½ year old son named Daniel. Her situation is full of challenges, but there is also hope. Dinah and Daniel have started taking HIV medication, and her family is receiving food support. For the first time in his 2½ years of life, Daniel is not crying from pain when he is held, his chronic diarrhea has stopped, and he has the energy to play with his brother & sister.
Ezekiel, one of the caregivers we have trained from a neighboring village of Laboret, shared about a time his wife was recently sick. Because of the loving care he & his wife have extended to HIV+ clients in his community, one came to his home to also help care for his wife.
Maru, who works as a driver for ELI, explained that he recently overheard a conversation by some of the HBC clients while returning from the HIV clinic. A man named Joseph said, “If it were not for this car, for these people, many would have died.” Another lady named Esther then remarked, “I would have died.” Maru also told the story of a day he parked the car near a lady who was sleeping along the side of the road. When she woke up, he heard her say: “Wow-it’s our car! This takes care of us with ukimwi (AIDS).”
For me, the name that came to mind was Betty. She is a lady whose trust in God challenges and encourages me in my own faith. I write about her often but truly, Betty allows God’s strength to be lived so beautifully in her weakness. The other day we were walking together after a church service and I asked her this question: “Betty, what is your dream?” She quickly responded that when she was so sick, she had lost hope. Her only dream was for her children to be educated and taken care of. She went on to say that after accepting her HIV status and finding acceptance within the Home Based Care program, she found hope again. Now, her dream is this: “I dream that I will make more room for God to fit in me. I do not need riches or the things of this world. I need more of God. Juli, I was so dirty, but God lifted me out of my mess. I do not want to be the same Betty today as I was yesterday… I am being transformed.” Currently, Betty is in Nairobi attending a training to become certified to counsel and test others for HIV. I am blessed as I watch God expand His kingdom through the life of this dear friend.
David Tarus, one of the directors of ELI Kenya, concluded our staff meeting by saying this: “Because of this ministry, our lives have been changed. We get up in the morning with a plan for the day. Now that our lives have been changed, we want to be a part of changing the lives of others.” For sure, as Jesus said, the poor will always be with us; and because of it, we have been instructed to open our hands wide to the poor and to the needy in our land (Deuteronomy 15:11).
Upcoming Trip to Sudan…
In my last update, I shared about my experiences in Southern Sudan and about preparations to return in May with a medical team. It has been amazing to watch God bring together a compassionate and skilled health-care team made up of Kenyans & Americans who desire to assist people within the village of Kolmarek, Southern Sudan. I have been equally blessed and humbled by those who have chosen to partner financially and in prayer with this mission.
May 3-9, we will be in Sudan. The goal of the trip is to set up a mobile clinic to treat patients: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In the process, we hope to get a better assessment of the immediate as well as long term health related needs of the community. Also, part of the team will be doing some community health related teachings in ELI's elementary school to both teachers and children. I also see this trip as a time to continue to seek after God, to wait upon Him, for what is next for the health ministry of ELI in Southern Sudan. Thank you again for your much needed prayers and support.
Home-Based Care…
Over the past few months, God has placed a great desire and burden within my heart and the hearts of our Home Based Care team to reach out to people who are alcoholics within our community. As we continue in AIDS ministry, it is evident that the widespread addiction to alcohol feeds the cycle of poverty and is a contributing factor in the spread of HIV. Recently, David Tarus, the director of ELI in Kipkaren and a man who searches after God’s heart, wrote letters to the local drunkards and their families inviting them to be the special guests of our church service on a Sunday. It was an incredible day as, one by one, they came. Some were sober, all were wondering why they were invited. David shared about the parable of the prodigal son. He explained that there is a loving Father who longs to forgive and waits for us to return home. David’s humble heart, so connected to this community, pleaded with these men and women, calling them by name, to something more. He explained that, as the body of Christ, we would stand together. After the service, nearly 50 families stayed for lunch. HIV testing was also offered and 38 were tested. It was a remarkable beginning, and we are asking God to continue to lead us step by step.
Please join me in praying for this ongoing ministry of extending compassion and acceptance to alcoholics whose lives are entangled in addiction and brokenness. It is only God that can bring change; but I believe He longs to redeem what is lost.