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Published: August 1st 2013
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I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Kenya. Wonderful is such a small word that cannot encompass the time spent there. It was wonderful because I had the opportunity to introduce the people with whom we partner in Kenya, to some supporters with whom we partner in the USA. It was like introducing long lost family members…a family working towards the same goal of relieving the pain of the suffering, enhancing the lives of the little ones, and creating opportunities to rise above the desperation of poverty. The best part...this family love each other and accomplishes much through unity. It was an inspiring trip as we met with people that were out of hope that are now living with great hope and renewed vision and dreams sparked into a fire by people that extended a helping hand. I want to introduce one of these wonderful people named Lydia. Lydia sat down with me one day while I was at the Talitha Koum Rescue Center. She shared her story of rescue. Lydia had a family growing up but her father was an alcoholic. He paid school fees so she could attend high school but she had no positive input by her mother or other adults in her life. She dropped out of school at age 14 as she was looking for love and acceptance. She thought she found it in a man that she quickly moved in with. He became her husband. She bore her first child at age 14. Three others quickly followed as she had no one to equip her with basic tools for making wise decisions. Her husband was not good to her and she was enslaved to her poverty by lack of education and resources.
In 2007 during the political uprisings her husband went to have a drink with his buddies. Some men came looking for trouble. They thought her husband was from an opposing tribe (because the men he was with were of that tribe). Her husband was at the wrong place at the wrong time and he was shot by poisonous arrows. He died. A neighbor called Lydia who was at home with the children and her one week old baby, her fourth child. The country was erupting in violence and now Lydia was a widow at the age of 20 something, with four children to raise and no income. Not knowing what to do she packed up a bag, got enough money for public transportation and traveled hours on end with her new baby and other children to the husband’s family on the other side of the country. Instead of arriving to open arms she was met with hostility. Having never met the parents of her husband before, they wanted proof that she was his wife and proof that those were their grandchildren (because if she truly his wife that meant they would have to give her a share of the inheritance). Having never married officially in a church she had no paperwork and she was turned away.
She traveled the long journey back to Nairobi to find her mother who she knew would probably not want her and the burden of all those children. Her mother took her in for a night then told her she had an aunt at Spring Valley where she could go stay. However, there was not really an aunt, Lydia’s mother just wanted to get rid of Lydia. They went and walked through the slums of Spring Valley aimlessly and the mother left, telling Lydia and the children to keep looking for the (non-existant) aunt. An older lady saw this young mother and her precious children looking weak and worn so she offered them a room. There was little food and no furniture in the room but Lydia said out of exhaustion she and the children lay down and slept on the dirt floor. They were relieved to at least have a roof over their head.
The next day Lydia was told to go to Pastor Stanley and Alice to tell them about her situation. She showed up at Spring Valley Academy in tears. She could not even tell them her story due to the grief flowing from her heart. She could not stop sobbing. (As I sat and listened to her telling the story calmly to me all I wanted to do was to cry for her, to hug her, to erase some of those horrible memories of rejection and loss). Pastor Stanley told Lydia to go home and write her story down for him. The next day she delivered her life on paper and was told to bring the children to school at Spring Valley Academy. The family literally had the clothing on their back and no other earthy possessions. The kids were given new uniforms and food.
Lydia was so grateful for the generosity of Spring Valley Academy that she wanted to serve them in some way. She would get up at 4 a.m. every morning while her children slept and walk to the school to sweep the compound. Pastor Stanley and Alice would arrive each morning to find a tidy compound but no one knew who the phantom cleaner was. Alice asked the women’s Bible study that she led to start praying for this phantom sweeper and it was soon discovered that out of Lydia’s poverty, she still had something to give. They offered Lydia a job in the kitchen at SVA. She now helps cook for the students and for the girls living at Talitha Koum. Lydia now makes a small salary, she is able to rent a nicer room with furniture, and her children are being educated. SVA is going to pay Lydia’s high school fees as well so that she can graduate. Lydia has the dream of some day becoming a nurse. She sits proudly with a smile on her face and an excitement of life in her heart. She has made it through “Hell and back” and she now lives her life to its fullest daily.
It was such an honor to sit in Lydia’s presence and to realize that we: ITHM, you, me, Pastor Stanley, Alice and so many others can (and do) play a part to enhance the lives of others. Although we are materially rich in the USA and so many of the Kenyans are spiritually rich. Lydia is one such person. ITHM is able to contribute towards Lydia’s education and so much more due to the generosity of others. If you would like to partner with us please make a tax deductable check out to: ITHM 23223 South Warmstone Way Katy, TX 77493 Or, find us at www.facebook.com/ITHMinc and click the “make a donation” button. While there you can “like" us and even share a post to help us raise awareness. Thank you and God bless!
Jennifer Phillips Lawrence
*Thanks Amy Hamilton for the photos!
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Sandy Swoager
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Jen, Johnny and Jonathan, God bless each of you and your family. What a heart touching story. God bless your obedience. Love and prayers, Sandy Swoager