Rachel's Reflections

Walking home from my language lesson at Mama R's  house, I glanced at the neighbors house and saw that they were home and decided to stop in. As I walked in, I greeted the grandmother, Bibi A, and her granddaughter. We chatted for a few minutes and then Bibi A asked me what I had learned in my language lesson that day. I hesitatingly replied that I had been trying to read in Kimwani and showed her the Piya Vinu children's book that talks about God. "Let me see it," she said and put her hand out. I was nervous because our neighbors have appeared skeptical towards Christianity. But as she flipped through it, reading different sections, a smile grew on her face. "My son knows all of this," she stated. I was stunned. She said the name of her son and I was even more shocked. "But I know him!" I responded excitedly, "I met him last year." "He helped with all of the translations," she continued. I could hardly believe that this...

The day had arrived. It was finally time! I was excited and filled with anticipation. The first person showed up, but behind him hung dark, ominous clouds and we felt the initial raindrops. Oh no, what will happen if it pours? I thought. We scrambled to move the chairs and reed mat under the car port before it started to rain.  A few minutes later my language helper's daughter, Maninha, showed up. I attempted to play a clapping/rhyme game with her while we waited for others to arrive. More people trickled in, along with the rain, but none of the three Mwani believers nor our team leader were there. I felt nervous. Should we start without them? But they were the ones who were going to lead...  We sang the one Kimwani song that we, as a team, had learned: John 14:6 set to music (and of course dancing). Everyone loved it and started to join in as they picked up the rhythm. But how often can you repeat a short chorus while waiting for people to show up? Evelyn, our lead...

It has been a strange two weeks. Our team leaders needed to go to Kenya for training and meetings but their two boys needed to stay here for school. So what happened? Lauren and I became parents for almost two weeks. Our life consisted of: school runs, helping with homework, making meals, playing nerf war, watching movies, washing dishes, and more. It was a great way to serve the team and a good testimony in the community.  At first everyone was confused when we would drive past our own house. Or why I would walk home at night by myself. Or they would ask our house help what had happened to us because we had not been to visit people in days. But when everyone realized that we were taking care of our leaders boys they all understood. I know how much it meant to the parents to know their boys were taken care of and I know how much the community observes our lives and how we interact with one another.  The love we, as a team, are able to demonstrate to each other has dir...

"I want to visit Mama N this afternoon," I told our house help as she was cleaning that morning. "I think she had her baby," she replied. What?!" I exclaimed, "but she didn't look big enough yet! How could she have had her baby already? I thought she still had another month. Was she early?" "I don't know, my neighbor told me she thought she saw her returning from the hospital with a baby, but I don't know for sure," she responded, "but go this afternoon and see for yourself." "Okay, I will." On the way to Mama N's house that afternoon I ran into another friend and told her where I was going.  "Oh, did you know she had her baby?" "Someone thought she did, I want to go find out." "Hodi," I called as I walked into the yard. Mama N's daughter greeted me with a grin on her face and called her mom from inside the house. We sat and went through the greetings before I b...