I pull myself from the revelry of
sleep into the cacophony of a bird-song soaked morning. The gardener waters the plants while
whistling a familiar tune, the cooks permeate my little world with the
intoxicating aromas of breakfast, the old rooster down the street sounds the
alarm of a fresh new day & my husband sweetly snores next to me. Oh Lord, what have I ever done to deserve
these extraordinary moments? The day
looms before me. I try to tick off the
tasks as any ordinary day, but giggle knowing I am so not in charge here.
Today was planned as a study day
for the week ahead, yet the WEEP ladies are coming to set up market for the
guests as well as surrounding neighbors and churches. These beautiful, single Moms, recovering from
AIDS have worked long hours to prepare for this day where they will show off
their beautiful jewelry, clothes and hand-crafted items making enough to save
for the day they will own their homes and businesses. Their children will run and play around the
compound, happy for the frivolity the day will afford them.
There is excitement in the air;
anticipation of visitors who will walk the grounds and stay for a lunch which
will include meat. The staff is already setting up the tables & chairs that
will house up to 50 visitors shielded from the sun by umbrellas. The drivers are sprucing up the vehicles that
will escort some of the company back and forth.
The grounds are being clipped, the main rooms polished, glasses and
silver wiped down so nicely you can see yourself in them. It reminds me of a time long ago when
hospitality held incredible significance – it still does here.
I’m tempted to snuggle down into
the quilt against the chill of a Kenyan morning but refuse to miss a moment of
what I look forward to all year – my limited time in the land I've been called
to. I set my to-do list aside, throw the
covers aside, immerse myself in the beauty of sunrise & stretch my hand out
to the God whose promise is yes and amen.
This is the day the Lord hath made and I will rejoice & be glad in
it.
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