So the past week of ministry has been incredibly heavy but wonderful at the same time. I can really feel the Lord's hand at work. Tribes are off the agenda so we're in a routine in Kijabe. On Thursdays, we walk to "Kijabe Town" which is a 45 minute walk down the mountain. Our team partakes in door-to-door ministry there. Let me tell you about a family that has touched my heart.
Two Thursdays ago, we came to a hut and the 1st thing we notice is a boy who was obviously not all there mentally. He stared at us with his mouth wide open (which is not uncommon), but this boy started yelling-not in Swahili or English or Kikuyu-just jiberish. We make our way into the hut and we meet his mother-Sarah. She introduces the boy as Uticus and tells us there is fluid in his spine which explains his mental state. She says he needs to go see a doctor. I am struck with sorrow as I think, "There's a person in there just wanting to express himself." Then I am struck with another thought, "Why can't Jesus just heal him?" Sarah then pulls back a curtain to reveal her mother Naomi who is bed ridden from meningitis. It becomes clear that this woman Sarah is taking care of both of them. She then confesses that she is struggling with depression. This lady is carrying the burdens of many and she has no one to vent to. She is forced to be strong. No one is at peace in that household.
We got down on our knees to pray. We prayed audacious healing over that family. I won't lie, when we were done praying I expected Uticus to look at me and say, "How are you?" But he didn't. Sarah bid us farewell and as we left I silently committed myself to go back.
That's exactly what our team did. This past Thursday we went back to see Uticus. This time, we were not greeted by a distress call, but a singing voice. The sound of Uticus's voice was peaceful to the point of being eerie as he observed our arrival. We walked inside the hut and Sarah was so excited to see us. She said things had turned around since we last visited. She said Naomi could hear now and that their baby calf was born and now they had milk to drink. We began encouraging her in her care taking. We told her the Lord admired her service. Tears of the Lord's peace streamed down her face as we told her how much Jesus loved her. As we talked to her, Uticus came in and began kissing Sarah McKay's (our Sarah's) feet. His mom pulled him away.
Beau read 1 Peter 1:8 to Sarah which says (not verbatum), "Although you do not see him, you love him and you are filled with an inexpressible joy." I know that verse was meant for her, I feel that it completely summed up Uticus's behavior that day.
There was so much significance in him singing as we walked up, so much significance in him kissing Sarah's feet. I really think Jesus was inside Uticus. Like hardcore. We prayed over the family and as we left, Uticus began staring at his hands-like he was realizing or making sense of something for the 1st time. Maybe realizing his identity. I don't know. But I have so much faith that he will become a genius one day. I may not see it while I'm here, but I know God is going to use him to further his kingdom.
I did not leave feeling discouraged, but being accutely aware that God made Uticus the way He wanted him. Uticus brings God glory- the way he is and the way he will be. We're going to see them next week as well.
Please lift up this family in your prayers.
-Louanne
