Kenya 2013. With Humphrey, Part 4. Conclusion

This post is a summary of needs and  thoughts from my day with Humphrey.

Humphrey also told me that all of his clients are in need of Bibles in Kikuyu, Swahili, and also English.  We will use some of our SHBC funds to get him the Bibles he needs.

He has another ministry with young mothers who have HIV.  Most of these mothers do not find out about their sickness until they are pregnant.  So they often get the news that they have the disease and also that they are pregnant.  And they pray that their child does not have HIV when they are born.  The Kenyan government also advises that nursing mothers (the majority of Kenyan mothers) only nurse their child for 6 months.  After that, the chance of passing HIV to their children through nursing increases.   Thus, the mothers cease to breastfeed their babies.  And if the baby will not take regular food, then the baby may die from starvation.  So, Humphrey buys milk for the mothers as a part of his ministry.  And again, there is a bridge from hopelessness to HOPE.

As I walked with Humphrey, I met family after family in the same type of condition.  Extreme poverty.  Sickness.  Brokenness.  Hunger.  Hopelessness.  And I was amazed and extremely humbled by the ministry of Living Proof and Humphrey.  They have made it a point to go into the most extreme circumstances and allow the Gospel of hope inside of them to shine light into the darkness of others.  And many are crossing the bridge from hopelessness to HOPE in Christ.  This is beautiful illustration of what the Gospel can do.  And an image that I personally needed to see up close.

Lord, make me a bridge to hope.  I want to give an account of the hope that is in me, so that others might find hope in you and walk out of the darkness of hopelessness.

Kenya 2013. With Humphrey, Part 3.

Here is a picture of the necklaces

NOTE: do to privacy laws in Kenya, you cannot “out” someone with HIV.  If the individual has not stated that they have HIV, then no one can speak openly about it.  This is to protect jobs and status in the community.  While the stigma of HIV is lessening, individuals are still shunned from communities and families if they contract the disease.  This is both a social and religious stigma, and the lack of education is a primary contributor to the problems that HIV patients face.  This is the ministry and world that Humphrey moves in every day.

I also met a farmer and his wife who are leasing land to support their 9 children.  Mark and Agnes both have HIV.  Humphrey had shown them both how to make paper necklaces that they can sell in the local market.  This allow them to make enough money to purchase the HIV medicine that slows the effect of the disease.  After the last test, the mother showed now signs of the high white cell counts that accompany HIV sickness.  The husband showed only slight increases.  They are able to buy time for their family and also contribute to their community.  And their hope in Christ and joy in life is quite evident.  And I pray that their children will remain HIV free and also become children of God who will bring this hope to the next generation.

Kenya 2013. With Humphrey, Part 2.

NOTE: do to privacy laws in Kenya, you cannot “out” someone with HIV.  If the individual has not stated that they have HIV, then no one can speak openly about it.  This is to protect jobs and status in the community.  While the stigma of HIV is lessening, individuals are still shunned from communities and families if they contract the disease.  This is both a social and religious stigma, and the lack of education is a primary contributor to the problems that HIV patients face.  This is the ministry and world that Humphrey moves in every day.

 

Another family belongs to Alice.  Again, her husband gave her HIV, and then he died from the disease.  She is currently taking medication provided by the income she makes from her fruit stand.  And yes, she learned how to work the stand from Humphrey.  Her children also get food and clothing from her work.  She did not know what she was going to do, but Humphrey helped her to see how God could help her.  Again, Humphrey is a bridge from hopelessness to hope.

As a bonus, the young man in the black t-shirt had never been to church.  We shared the Gospel with him, and he came the next Sunday.  He is interested in the story of Jesus.  Pray that he will say Yes to Jesus!! 

Kenya 2013. With Humphrey, Part 1.

I was glad to spend a day with him on Saturday, visiting some of his clients and others that he has been reaching.  Here a few of the stories I found.

NOTE: do to privacy laws in Kenya, you cannot “out” someone with HIV.  If the individual has not stated that they have HIV, then no one can speak openly about it.  This is to protect jobs and status in the community.  While the stigma of HIV is lessening, individuals are still shunned from communities and families if they contract the disease.  This is both a social and religious stigma, and the lack of education is a primary contributor to the problems that HIV patients face.  This is the ministry and world that Humphrey moves in every day.

In order to be somewhat private, I have changed names and also added generic photos that illustrate the families we visited.

One family we visited was a mother and son, both of them over 35.  The son is mentally challenged.  The mother contracted HIV from her husband, who recently died from HIV complications.  She had no way of providing for herself, and her son is unable to truly help. What is she to do?

Enter Humphrey.  Humphrey provides classes on Tuesday at Living Proof that educate the poor on HIV and also on life skills.  He teaches them how to start their own businesses.  So, the woman, Iris, has learned how to open her own food stand, and now makes money selling fruits and vegetables at a road-side stand.   She makes enough money to by rice and beans for her family.  And she gives God the glory.

And Humphrey was the bridge from hopelessness to hope.