Remembrance

I am writing today from my heart.  I have no political or social motives, nor do I have any claim to the solution to the brokenness of this world.

One cannot help but be moved by the Sandy Hook tragedy.  As I have watched media coverage along with the rest of the country, tears have come as I, too, am devastated by this loss, especially of so many small children.  I was touched by an interview I heard with one of the teachers describing how she heard the gunshots and ushered her kindergarten class into the corner for “story time” and preceded to read them a book.  Heroes are uncovered when tragedy strikes, and for every horrific act, it seems a multitude of individuals respond by doing something good.  Though it cannot bring back lives that were lost or take away the pain and grief so many are facing, it does offer a glimmer of hope.

When reflecting on loss of life, I cannot help but think about Kenya and the hundreds of people around the world who die each day from malnutrition, disease, and war.  The difference between these lives lost is that no one will see their story on television, their pictures rarely make the papers, and their families will not receive an outpouring of support and condolences from a heartbroken country.  On one hand, I am grateful these daily tragedies are not consistently covered by the media because I am not sure any of us could emotionally bear some of injustices that people around the world face.  But by keeping these realities out of sight, we have reduced human life to statistics.  We vaguely know the impact of HIV/AIDS, malaria, decades long civil wars, sex trafficking, female genital mutilation, famine & starvation….but we are hesitant to allow ourselves to get emotionally involved.  I include myself in this “we”….even though I do deeply care about those suffering around the world, there are times I just cannot bear to read or watch anything about another place or another issue, because I already feel so burdened by the slums of Kenya.  I think this is where we have to trust that as we seek the Lord, He will guide our hearts to the places and issues and the people we are called to care about.  No idea where this line originates from but I like its concise, powerful message…..you don’t have to do everything, but do something. 

Imani Care International is my response to what I experienced in Kenya.  As many of you know, starting a nonprofit organization was not what I had originally planned or hoped to do.  Yet that was the direction God was pulling me, and once I surrendered my own ideas, I caught a vision for Imani and things really just began to fall into place.  Though a huge part of how ICI will help to support health in the Nairobi slums is through financial resources….I am equally, if not more, passionate about giving a voice and an awareness to individuals…amazing people I met who have given me so much as I pay witness to their lives of determination, sacrifice, perseverance, and faith in the midst of some pretty horrific circumstances.  Probably the thing I most look forward to about returning this March is to be able to hear more stories and affirm the humanity that we all share.  Not everyone can, will, or even should go to Kenya, but it is my responsibility to share those stories and to give remembrance to lives that are lost.  

I was jokingly asked how much it would cost for someone to get the clinic to name something after them.  The truth is…it’s not about the money, it’s about the relationship.  They are not some people in Africa I send money to from time to time.  They are a second family, people I talk to on a regular basis and share the joys and sorrows of life with.  Peter, Francesca, Hadijah, David…they are my friends.  I cannot wait to be reunited with them and look forward to sharing their stories with those who have generously supporting Imani.