My Heart has Grown... Here I go, Again: 10/01/12

This afternoon, I got to meet both of our compassion boys we sponsor in Kenya! What a thrilling day! The emotion today was overwhelming and words can not do the day or my feelings justice. Oscar had church with me, I met his mom and now He gets to ride on the bus back to the Heart lodge with me. It was so fantastic to ride on the bus with Oscar. As we passed places, he would tell me what things were and even pointed out his school. We had the best conversation on the bus. Honestly, some of the ride was difficult too, as his day to day life in the Dandora slums became real. I tried my best to hold back the tears and enjoy the ride with him rather than the sadness of his reality. Oscar celebrated his birthday a week before, so I had asked him what he did for his birthday. He told me his mom had just paid his brother's school bills and didn't have any money to do anything. He did his chores and in his words "there is always next year to do something". What? I can't imagine my kids saying something like this. Next year seems like an eternity to a child. We would never think of not celebrating or purchasing something for our kids on their birthday. I'm mean really...how many of us buy stuff that our kids don't really need, but we want them to open something? Or worse, stare at the toys on the shelf, trying to decide what to get them? It's disgusting really. Here, Oscar's mom doesn't have the luxury to buy him something, let alone a cake! I'm humbled.

After we arrived at the Heart lodge, Dancan, our other boy we sponsor, showed up. When I turned the corner and saw his face, he jumped so high and ran to give me a giant hug. Tears were flowing as I enjoyed the warm welcome and the hug that I missed so much. Dancan and I joined Oscar at the table. I was nervous how I would spend quality time with each boy, but once again, God showed up! These boys became fast friends. In fact some thought they were brothers. :) Well they are, brothers in Christ and brothers in the Brust extended family. :) I gave them both a silver puzzle piece bracelet with their name inscribed on one side and 1 Cor. 12:27 on the back. I explained to them how meeting them and spending time with them today was a very important part in my trip to Kenya and with out seeing them, my trip would not have been complete. I also shared that Paul, Abby, Billy and Molly have the same silver puzzle piece and that now, Oscar and Dancan are part of our puzzle/family. They were super excited and wanted to put it on instantly.

We talked, shared stories, looked at pictures and ate some lunch together. It was a wonderful time. I found out that Oscar would like to be a chemist to make a cure for AIDS and Dancan would like to be a pastor. Oscar's favorite bible verse is Psalm 121:1 and Dancan's is Romans 8:28. We kicked the soccer ball around a bit, jumped rope and skyped with Paul and the kids. When Oscar got on the computer with the kids, Abby said "Hi Oscar! We have a song for you!" I wasn't real sure what song they were going to pull out, it was 6am for them... But when they started singing Happy Birthday, I looked over at Oscar and he not only had a huge smile, he had tears in his eyes. At the end of the song, he was hardly able to say "thank you, that means so much. I love you.". Wow! The littlest things matter. Another reminder, it's not about the presents, but about the thought behind the actions in loving someone. When Dancan talked to the kids, he picked up right where he left off last year. Truly amazing.

Saying good bye, well, it ripped my heart out. Both boys held my hand, had tears in their eyes and didn't want to leave. Me either and I didn't hold back the tears as I told them that we may be half way around the world, but when you get sad, look up! Because God can guide you when you look up to Him. When you look down, you become discouraged. When you look up and see the sky, it's the same sky that I see and same God that I look to for strength and courage. Yes, tears came all to easily. Tears of joy that once again I'm honored that God picked me to be a part of these boys lives.