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May 22, 2021goodbye - KENYA - farewell – kwa heri
Upon my arrival to Mombasa, I unforgettably recall the smoke filled, dirty, late evening drive from the airport to our temporary apartment located within the City Centre. In the blackness of the night, I caught glimpses of Kenyans illuminating from the flames of those cooking along the roadsides and from the burning rubbish piles. I felt empty and thought, what have I gotten myself into?
It took unwavering perseverance to overcome the many challenges, frustrations, and fears that that lied ahead. I manifest no doubt that God was carrying me every step of this journey. It is here that I have truly experienced to trust God.
In recollection of the past three years, I express my gratitude to each of you for so, so much. Your moral support, encouraging words, correspondences, and love, comforted me in times of need. The impeccable timings were surely God’s work. There are those who prayed for me every day which humbles me. You have provided me the avenues for showing mankind here how loving and caring Americans can be, the generosity you display is rarely exhibited here. It is often voiced to me about the many ways Kenyans admire Americans by saying, “I like the way you people.... ______”.
Through your financial sacrifices, we have accomplished so much, but the greater fruits we will most likely never know the magnitude. Supporting these poverty-stricken youth has been the crucial focal point of my mission. For this targeted demographic, it is difficult to achieve a high school education, let alone to enter college. Coinciding with their education, disciplines and moral values are instilled. This provides great rippling effects for now and future generations.
Many little people in many small places undertaking many modest actions can transform the world.
-African proverb
Several in my Kenyan community have been provided with medical assistance, be it a youth who damaged his head during a football match, loss of eyesight due to being born with HIV, shameful depression, or drug addictions. Some are orphans, who have spent years in orphanages, or bondsman within society. Some have been assisted with small business startups and others with housing to avoid living on the streets. And due to the severe lack of finances due to Covid, many were able be supplied with food.
I have been able to walk with many youths who know very little outside their inhabitants. Imagine at the age of eighteen and older not knowing how to use cutlery, have never traveled by car, used kitchen appliances, entered a supermarket, gone to a cinema etc. etc. Supplying novels, teaching them discipline, how to save, respect one another and to be gentlemen, future husbands and fathers have been my greatest joys. My boys are now “growing up” as they say here, either by finding employment or in college. They are joyfully struggling, charged with hope!
Out of Ashes we shall Rise
As I ponder during this period of transition, I’ve begun to question, “Where is home?” Is it the town where I was born and raised or the home where my immediate family was established?
Is home determined by the roots, footprints, and relationships planted along the way?
However, home is determined, it is pleasing to me to be considered family here.
With much love and appreciation,
Mike
