Mbita Kenya

Our trip is over, but the vivid memories continue to fill my mind and my heart. I would like to share the story of faith I was told by one of the widows in Mbita. This young, brave women was sitting by me one day at the conference. I noticed she had enlarged lymph nodes at each edge of her jaw. As we have known each other during my other two visits to Mbita, I guess I had a sense I could ask her about them. She shared with me that she has AIDS. She said she is taking a drug, but is not on ARV's. She then shared her story with me about how she was infected. She said her husband, being distressed over the burden of 6 children, lack of income and not being a Christian, had turned to the affections of a prostitute. He contracted HIV and brought it home to her. He soon became sick, confessed all to her and asked for forgiveness. He was saved and she was able to forgive him before he died in late 2007. She too, was saved as they both faced the disease together. She now works very hard to take care of her 6 children, relating to me at one time she lived in a field. She now rents a house with her children, the youngest under the age of 5. She said she is helping her children to forgive their father and is trying to teach them about the Grace of God. I asked her how she does it. She said, "By faith. That is really all I have." Over the past two and one half year, and three visits to Mbita, I have watched as she has grown and is truly walking out her faith. She ministers to the other widows, even though she herself is sick.The widows never complained to me. All shone with the Joy and Grace of God. All came to the conference with big smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts.I know I took away more joy than I could ever have imparted. We cried together over the Father's Love letter and laughed together and danced as the precious widows gave each of us a traditional outfit the last day of the conference. Even though we live a world apart, we connected heart to heart, women to women, mother to mother and as a child of God to another child of God.
Nancy

picture: Fathers Love Letter being interpreted in Luo as Nancy teaches at Widows Conference