Death Stalks Us - Ruth's Story

The following excerpt was selected from Beacon of Hope's website: www.beaconafrica.org

The saddest moment for us at Beacon of Hope has been the death of some of our recruits. It takes a long time to win the trust of women who have struggled with poverty and disillusionment all their lives. When, by God's Grace, some begin to have hope and develop a fledgling belief in a God of love, it is very rewarding for us at Beacon of Hope.

However, the reality of AIDS is constantly in our faces. The majority of those who come to this center are AIDS infected. Even as their souls are being renewed by the power and love of God, their bodies are decaying from the virus. It is a fighting battle to keep them alive. Many become stronger because of regular meals and the provision of medication, which they would otherwise not afford. The Word of God nourishes their souls and there is a renewed hope and courage as they study the Scriptures regularly with our volunteers.

Despite this, some will succumb to the virus, and like Ruth, they will eventually die.

Ruth Wanjiru was a lively, small-framed woman. Despite the hardships she faced daily in the slums, she still managed to eke out some form of existence. On April 11th this year, Ruth was blessed with a baby boy Simon Muriu. Sadly, he too had AIDS.

Ruth started coming to the BOH center early this year and before long she had committed her life to Christ. Though her body continued to deteriorate, one needed only sit with Ruth for a few minutes to see the shining light in her eyes and to bask in her contagious optimism. Knowing Christ for herself gave her a strength that no medication could.

Unfortunately, before long Ruth succumbed to AIDS and struggled through feverish nights with a breast abscess, diarrhoea and respiratory infections. Her malnourished son Muriu was not doing any better, and though we at BOH tried to ensure they both received the medical attention they could from the medical centers that dotted the area, and from our clinic, it seemed to do no good. Soon she was bed-ridden and we determined to visit her daily, to encourage her in the Lord. Watching her deteriorate before our very eyes was heart-rending.

Before long, Simon developed a chest infection, and rapidly lost weight because he could no longer ingest milk. Finally, God took both of them to rest; Ruth died on a Monday, and Simon on the Thursday following.

We saw the love of God through various volunteers and friends who helped finance a funeral for Ruth and her son. A friend of BOH provided the flowers, another still provided the casket; the local pastor who is also a BOH Board member led the funeral service, and Ruth received a fitting funeral in a slum where such funerals were unheard of for the expense. It was a very sad time for all of us, but it also sobered us. We realized the urgency of spreading the Gospel for we are all on transit to a better place, only, because of AIDS, some will get there sooner.

Reality in Kware Slums

The following excerpt taken from www.beaconafrica.org is a look at Kware slum, home to the women trained at Beacon of Hope

The Kware slums are no different from other slums beyond the suburbs of Nairobi, the capital city. They are densely populated and congested, and poverty is rampant. Kware has about 60,000 people living on square feet and desperate poverty has led to a deep sense of apathy and hopelessness, alcoholism, prostitution, battery, and an increase in crime in the surrounding estates.

The people in Kware are desperate for some form of employment, they dream of one square meal a day when most of us indulge in three. Most of all, poor nutrition, inadequate health information and services leads to widespread infection and disease. Poor immunization means even preventable diseases are unchecked.

Depression, the resultant alcoholism and promiscuous living also lead to a high level of HIV infection. In fact, 90% of the women who work at the BOH center are infected with HIV; a majority has full-blown AIDS and constantly struggles with, and succumbs to opportunistic diseases. This reality has prompted us to open a makeshift health clinic on the BOH premises where we stock medication donated by well wishers, and friends of BOH.

The fight to survive has led many to prostitution. It is no longer surprising to learn of families where the mother and her daughters are engaged in commercial sex, many times with the full knowledge and reluctant support of other needy family members. As these men move from hovel to hovel and sexually take advantage of these women, they leave behind a deep sense of hopelessness, disease and bitterness. After some time, the women become skeptical and they are driven by bitterness and hopelessness to infect others with HIV even by choice.

The single women especially are easy pray for wealthy business men who promise them a meal or two in exchange for sex. Unfortunately, there are illicit beer points all over the slum, where cheap, but highly flammable and corrosive alcoholic beverages are found in plenty. Many have been known to die of toxic poisoning from these brews.

Inevitably, there is also a high level of teenage pregnancy and the vicious cycle of poverty continues as children raise children.

Beacon of Hope Prayer Requests

Below is a list of prayer requests drawn from the Beacon of Hope website www.beaconafrica.org. If you have time, please take a moment to pray for our partner in ministry.

-That God will provide resources to develop our ten-acre plot in the Ongata Rongai area for a Community Centre to house a vocational training school, a day care and primary school, a VCT Centre, Counselling Centre, Medical Clinic, a Hostel, a large multipurpose hall and much more.

-For the many families living below the poverty line in Kenya and in Ongata Rongai in particular.

-That the churches in Ongata Rongai and Kenya will rise up to the challenge of HIV/AIDS by becoming agents of hope and healing to the many affected and infected.

-That the word of God may continue to penetrate and bear fruit in the lives of the families we are assisting and that the women of the centre may truly understand the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

-That God may continue to raise more labourers to help Beacon of Hope with the current programmes as well as assist with future BOH plans and programmes.

-That God will provide a high turn over of our products.

-That God will provide funds to continue running Beacon of Hope more effectively and efficiently as well as cover the operational costs.

-That God may be glorified through Beacon of Hope’s work and that people will come to know Him as Lord and Saviour.

Why do short term missions?

In our busy lives, many of us often only experience God as the overseer of our daily concerns. Thus, when individuals depart comfortable lives in Madison to venture on a short term mission trip, many people may wonder, “Why would anyone go on a short term missions trip?”

Here is a response in three parts.

You will foster relationships
God has called His Church to be a body of believers. In this body, we are to love and support one another so the world will see our good deeds and praise Him. Thus, when one part of the body is hurting, we are to serve and care for those parts in need. Therefore, if one individual in the Church has HIV, the Church has HIV. Where one Christian lives in poverty, the Church is impoverished. For us not to lovingly respond to our brothers and sisters is to disobey God as He calls us to unity. In fact, solely sending money and resources is not enough. We must export our most precious commodity: ourselves. Through this act of compassion, God’s love is clearly manifest. In turn, He blesses us with new relationships with our international brothers and sisters in Christ.

You will take part in what God is already doing
As the maker of the universe, God’s Spirit oversees all humanity. Thus, He is currently working to bring about His kingdom in every corner of the world. In fact, God doesn’t need us for His plan to succeed; however, as a loving father He allows to take part in what He is doing. To be a part of God’s plan, no matter how small is a blessing, is humbling, and is significant. This after all is our calling: to be ambassadors of God’s kingdom.

You will be changed
When one pursues cross-cultural experiences, she experiences more of our infinite, global God. As we allow ourselves to stretch in this way, we learn to seek after God with increased faith. One Kenya team member noted, “I learned how to look at confusing and potentially disastrous situations and say ‘God you are in control, tell us what to do.’ On learning this, I realized that I don’t say that enough in my own life.” Being stretched deepens one’s relationship with God. Here He becomes more than your very own personal savior. Rather, you recognize God as the Lord of the weak and poor. In fact, by venturing to international locales, one is called to partner with God in resolving issues of social justice such as poverty, physical and sexual abuse, and oppression. Once your eyes are opened to these horrors, it becomes impossible to turn away at home or abroad.

James

t-minus 6 months to departure

Now that January has arrived, snow covers the ground in Madison, WI. As a result, setting foot on the red clay of Kenya this July seems a long way off-- another world, a seeming lifetime away.

As of NYE, our team was selected for our July trip to Nairobi. We have individuals from 15 to 40 yo, with skills as diverse as graphic design and infectious disease nursing. All in all, the entire team is excited to get on the ground in Ongata Rongai to work with Beacon of Hope.

The plans for this year's trip are quite exciting and diverse. We are slated to again participate in home visits in Kware slum and to run a free medical camp at the Beacon training center in Ongata Rongai. However, new this year is an opportunity to travel to the Masai land to establish a new VCT (government sponsored HIV clinic) along with a general medical clinic.

This new direction is an answer to prayer as God continues to expand the influence of Beacon of Hope throughout Kenya. Come what may!

James