Home Visit

our team is currently putting together a video to explain what BOH is doing here in Ongata Rongai and just how much their work is making a difference in the lives of these women. our prayer, through this humble attempt, is that many would be made aware of the devastating poverty. in Rongai there is poverty that numbs the brain...it beats you down mind, body and soul.

for the film we are following two of the women who are weavers here at BOH. on thurs we followed one of the women from BOH through the streets of Ongata Rongai to her home where she shared her story with us. her name is Merab.

as we sat down in her humble brick and mortar home with a dirt floor, we got a chance to talk to her and 3 of her 5 children, Raheili, Chris and Celestine. Merab's husband abandoned them shortly after Celestine was born in 2000 and is currently trying to sell their house right out from under them.

Merab was soft spoken and so generous in sharing her life story with us. as she proceeded in sharing her story i could tell that she was trying to choose her words carefully...all of the sudden she tightened her mouth and looked at the ceiling and got teary eyed and said "i've never disclosed my status to my children" - so essentially, through explaining her life's journey to us, she revealed to us, and to her children that she had AIDS.

i wanted to leap out of the window. i couldn't believe that something so intimate was shared with us in that moment right in front of her children. all got quiet and then i noticed that her oldest daughter Raihele (age 14) had huge tears streaming down her face. she didn't make a sound. i was so overwhelmed as i watched this all unfold. sweet Raihele, a 14 year old girl just found out her mother had HIV and understands the heaviness that it all entails. before we left Merab's home, i prayed for the family and for God to bless them with health, to keep their home and for doors of opportunity to open for them. i could barely speak.

as we walked Merab back to BOH, melissa continued filming. Merab was more than willing to stop and do another "take" as we moved through the congested streets filled with goats, garbage and diesel fumes. as Merab followed every cue from melissa's direction, i realized how beautiful and strong she was. i wanted to be more like this woman...her courage is more than i will ever experience this side of heaven. we continually thanked her for her cooperation and tried to explain that this film would show many people how BOH is bringing hope to a people that are desperate for it.

i cried myself to sleep that night. all i could think about was Raihele. i couldn't get the picture of her little bedroom out of my mind. her little bed that she shared with her baby sister. as i laid there, i couldn't stop thinking that she was also lying in her bed crying about her mom. i wanted to give that family everything i had. i wanted to shower those kids with wonderful gifts and treasures. i wanted to hold them and never let them go and let them know that it was all going to be alright.

when our heavenly father sees each of us, He wants to love us that exact same way...this side of heaven he entrusts us to do His work. His spirit of unconditional love flows in and through us to tell the world that He is who he says He is...that He is truth, and He is love, and that He meets us face to face....i pray we would all see with new eyes and recognize Jesus.

because of BOH Merab will be able to get her antiretroviral drugs, counseling, and a job. Merab's children will also be offered counseling to work through the many difficulties that HIV/AIDS brings. i thank God for those of you who support BOH and believe that all things are possible with Christ!

Kortney Kaiser