Tag Archives: sharing

Contradictions

The last week has been an amazing week. I have learnt so much more than I ever thought possible and felt things deeper than I ever dreamed. I have been deliriously happy, desperately sad, totally lonely, terribly lost and certain beyond measure. It been nothing short of a roller coaster ride and is really hard to explain what is going on when you have no idea yourself.

Today we went to Mji wa Huruma an old people’s home in Runda. The drive to the venue was picturesque along a long route including Mombasa rd, through upper-hill, up Ngong Road, back down Ngong road, across Nyerere Rd onto the Bypass. The super highway is still a marvel for me. I have been on that road over and over again and I never tire of it’s awesome beauty. Kiambu road is even more picturesque after the recent rains with green and lush vegetation on either side. Runda is filled with stately houses shielded behind solid walls that makes the average driver like me wonder what is behind these fences. Smack in the middle of this estate is a little dirt road with a barrier that leads to Mji wa Huruma.

This place is a home for the aged and boy oh boy life can be hard. The first surprise for me was that my mum used to go here in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. Believe it or not some of the buildings there then still stand. A testament of good workman ship and material. The second one was that one of the caretakers is from my mum’s home village. The third is that one of the people we went with met a former neighbour there. This neighbour has lived in the home for 30 years after he lost everything from family to property. He has nothing left of his past life and he has had to accept that this is the way to live now.

Well, the reason we were at Mji wa Huruma is because my sister is turning 40 this year and she chose to celebrate her birthday with this wonderful group of people and give them something special. Now I have known about this for a long time but today it really got me thinking again…would I do that? It took time and effort to plan the trip and rally the resources, find a kind supplier and call the people to action. And oh my she did and the response was overwhelming. We had the privilege of giving shoes, scarves, toiletries and socks. The atmosphere was electric with excitement as the dear ones recognised my sister and her family as they have done this countless times before. The warmth and love accompanied by lots of blessings and warm wishes changed my day and warmed by heart. It reminds me of Matthew 25:45  ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ So here’s to learning to living in love and compassion to the least of these and find greater meaning and value for my life.

This experience was unforgettable for several reasons:

  1. We can be happy and cheerful despite and in spite of the circumstances surrounding our lives
  2. There are people who have been productive in the past and worked hard but are left destitute in their old age
  3. There could be someone I know in the midst of a very serious challenge and I may have the key to unlock their break through
  4. Love and compassion are understood even where is a language barrier
  5. My personal battles are nothing compared to what some others are going through

Dear Papa,

Please allow me to find you and connect with you and your love and express your love run through me and to other people.