new church life: march/april 2015
HCIC is the organization that
was lovingly created to financially
support the Rev. Samson Abuga and
his staff in caring for 64 orphans.
Something I’ve learned about
travel and experiencing new
cultures is that you can never be
fully prepared, and there is always
more going on than I know to look
for, so it’s best just to be open and
ready, fully letting go of control and
becoming a sponge to the world.
That way you see, smell, hear and
feel more, and I’m so grateful for this
realization.
Kenya itself is a force of nature.
From the moment I stepped off the
plane onto the dusty red earth, things
worked differently. The weather
fluctuates drastically and nothing
happens as planned. Everything is
more organic, there is an ebb and
flow to the market place, a natural
momentum to daily life. Time is an illusion, an estimate.
Likewise, the people I met are forces of nature, from the tiny women
carrying giant sacks of potatoes on their heads, to the teachers with fervent
concern and care for each student. But the kids were the ones teaching me
the most, making the world feel more in sync. They reminded me to get
busy living. And made me remember that there’s nothing better than feeling
thoroughly exhausted after a day of doing something you love.
One of the orphans grew up a delinquent street kid, following a path
toward a life of crime in order to survive. But he was taken in and has turned
his life around completely. I watched him graciously receive an award for being
the top of his class. It’s incredible to witness first hand the power of human
connection and how all it takes is just one person to care.
Samson and different members of the community here are the sole reason
half these kids are even alive. Listening to him talk about them and watching
him interact with them makes it clear that the support they are getting from
the staff at the orphanage is grounded in respect, compassion and love. They’ve
shown the uncanny amount of bravery it takes to be selfless, and I am humbled
to be witness to it.
Samson and different
members of the
community here are the
sole reason half these kids
are even alive. Listening
to him talk about them
and watching him interact
with them makes it clear
that the support they
are getting from the
staff at the orphanage
is grounded in respect,
compassion and love.
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