Buyi

Every Thursday we work at the Life care centre. Each week looks different, but each day spent with the staff and families challenges me to seek the Lord and walk in his grace. The families and individuals we've met over the past few weeks have really touched me, especially Buyi. 

Ten mins after we arrived at the center a woman walked into the gate really upset. The three of us were the only staff at the centre, because there was a funeral that morning. This woman was so upset. She was crying so hard, she couldn't catch her breath. We invited her to sit down and talk to us, and to see if we could help her. She explained to us that earlier in the morning she came back from walking her kids to school to find all of her belongings in her front yard. Her entire house was cleared by painters and land workers, because the owner of the house has decided to move back in. She and her three kids have been there for 12 years, and she was kicked out with no warning. The owner didn't tell her anything about it, he just expected her to leave. All of her stuff was tossed out on the ground and she was told to never come back. She has three kids, and no where to go. She is completely on her own. Two of the kids are her boys, but the little girl is her sisters daughter. Her sister passed away a few years ago, and she has been caring for her little girl since. Her sister was her last family member in the area. The more she explained things the harder it got to keep from crying. So, the three of us just cried with her, and listen to her. It was so hard. We didn't know what we could do to help. We had to wait for Penny and Prince to get back to the centre before we could do anything for her. It was only our third time there, so we had no idea what to do. Once they got back they called her, and helped her get in contact with the right people, and helped her every way they could. 

I don't know how much help we were, but I am thankful that we were there to listen to her and care for her in a time where she felt so alone. We just listened to her, and prayed with her. We sat with her and agreed with her that what was happening to her wasn't right. Eventually she had to leave and pick her kids up from school, but when she left she seemed to feel better. As I walked her to the gate, she said that we were the first people to sit with her and just listen to her heart. It seemed like she was satisfied with someone simply hearing her out.  She gave me a huge hug, and I cried as she left. It was so hard to know what to do. I wish I could have just fixed the problem, but it was out of my control. I didn't have the right answers and I didn't know exactly what to do, but I did my best to love her the every way I knew how. I sat with her and cried with her. I listened to her and agreed with her that this isn't the way God intended life to be. The only thing I had to offer her seemed so small, but after she left I knew God used our time together. The only thing I could give her was what God offers me daily... his love and his attention. 

Please pray for Buyi and her family. I have not seen her since our meeting that one morning, but I am confident that we were see her again in our time at the center. I hope to develop a relationship with her and her children.