Today we went to the home of one of the Kenyan employees from the Baptist Mission of Kenya where we work. Her brother-in-law served in the military and was killed in a tragic truck accident that killed 5 others a couple of days ago. It was a humbling and educational experience. It had some similarities to our American funeral home experience but was quite different.
As we approached the home, we were greeted by singers gathered outside the home singing beautiful songs. These singers sang the entire time we were there. Each person that you passed greeted you, shook your hand and smiled. We all gathered in the front room of the home and were seated. The father of the young man came in and went around the room and shook each person’s hand. The mother came into the room and went around to everyone and gave them a big hug. One of the visitors that had come with us was asked to say a word of encouragement and then another one prayed. The mother then spoke and told everyone she was rejoicing eve though God had decided to take her son home now because He was a God who loved them. She was happy that she had raised her son in God’s Word and could be at peace with God’s decision. It was incredible to see this woman’s faith. The father also spoke praising God’s goodness. There were no tears because they knew where their son was now.
Next some of the family members served us all hot chai. Then someone came with a pitcher of warm water and a bucket. She went around the room and poured water over our hands so we could wash them off. Next the family brought out bread for us to eat with our chai.
Another one of the visitors with us read a scripture from the Bible that had comforted her at the time of her dad’s death and then Jeff prayed for the family again. We continued to sit and stay for quite some time until one of the Kenyan visitors that had come with us asked that we be excused to return home. Then there were more handshakes and goodbyes before we left.
I know that our presence was a comfort to the family, but we were the ones who were blessed the most as we observed the hospitality and faith of this family.
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