Threads of Hope Retreat

Ann and Simon

Each day is filled to the brim, and it's getting a little harder to provide a brief commentary to represent our experiences here in Kenya. But I'll give it my best shot.

Threads of Hope women arrived to Brackenhurst on Saturday morning. They came in two vans ("matatus") to spend the day with us. The facility was a perfect place for a day-long retreat with 16 women and three babies! The objective for doing this was to offer a day of rest, refreshment and ministry to the women we had only just met. We had planned to do some singing and hoped we’d learn some new songs from them (we did); and Cathy, Nancy and Cyndi planned to offer stories and insights from three stories about women in the Bible: Hagar (“Hageri” in Kiswahili), the woman who was sick for 12 years, and the woman at the well. We planned snacks, lunch, and time to both share stories, ours and the women joining us.  

I’ve learned that stories don’t have to be long. Hagar told God her story in 7 words: “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai” (Genesis 16). The gospels narrate the sick woman story for her, and the woman at the well tells only half of her story; Jesus tells the other half. The only woman who is named in any of these stories is Hagar, the slave with no voice. Though she had absolutely no input in Abraham and Sarah's decision, God knew her name and her future. With God, Hagar had a voice. Cyndi spoke about the woman who was sick for 12 years. After so publicly having to tell her story of loneliness, isolation and pain, Jesus restores her to the community. She is a daughter and part of the family. Nancy encouraged the women by blessing each one, reminding them that they all have something to share in the name of Christ. Jacinta interpreted as she as she held and nursed 9-month-old John. When she got tired, Ann interpreted; she's pictured above with her baby son Simon.

Of course each woman has a story. Salome, the woman my age, was widowed nine years ago and cares for two of her eight children, along with a grandchild whose mother recently died. Like most of the women present, she has lived in a refugee camp nearby since the tribal clash of 2008, a result of presidential elections. Ann, the woman who helped interpret for us, also lives in that camp in a tiny tent on a small tract of land with no trees, grass or amenities human beings need. They continually combat lice, disease and other distresses. Salome shared her story of becoming so ill after the birth of one of her sons she couldn’t walk. She testified to spiritual and physical healing after calling on the name of the Lord.

We found out later that the lovely lunch served to all. That's where we learned that the women were hungry. They ate all the food. Ann thanked us afterwards and said she had never had a lunch like that; many women expressed the same. John Njane who arranged for the women to be driven to the conference center and back verified that none of the women had ever been to a place like Brackenhurst and probably never would again. That of course gives us pause. We have eaten much wonderful food; have never been hungry for lack.

Jim had a good day with John Njane. At the present time, John cares for five homeless boys whom he calls The Chosen 5. The new house he is building will be big enough for 10 more. His hope is to provide a home, a model (himself), and an education through high school. In his tragedy, John is concerned about the needs of many others.