Mamma Mary

We first met Mamma Mary when we were visiting a friend’s shamba (garden). We were looking over at this precious old mamma whose dilapidated house was caving in and crumbling down from the rains of the past weeks. (Mamma - that is how older women are referred to with respect.) She was working hard, making rope from plants to sell at the market.

As we were standing in the shamba, discussing the sad condition of her home, we knew we could do something to help. It costs less than $200 to replace the type of home she lived in, plus upgrade her to a metal roof that would not allow rain to seep in as her thatched roof currently does.
We went over to her and were invited into her home. We sat as she told us her story of how she works to make rope to sell to buy food. Her husband and four sons have all died. Her daughter-in-law lives near her, but is barely able to care for her own children. When it rains, Mamma Mary goes to her house for shelter. She can stay there and rest, but according to culture she cannot spend the night there; she must return to her own home to sleep.

As we sat in her home, Shem shared with her about the hope for a brighter future. She had been to a church before, but did not understand the meaning of salvation. Shem explained to her that God offers hope of eternal life, pain-free and ultimately fulfilling, through Jesus Christ. Before we left, Kris and I got to share a word of encouragement and lead her in the sinner’s prayer where she accepted Christ as her Savior.

Wow! That was a great walk to the shamba! We thought we were just going to see a garden, but God had a much bigger seed to sow!

Mamma Mary does not yet know, but she will be getting a new home! The director of NOWA (Nyando Orphans and Widows Association) just happened to be with us and she is now part of their program. This is one of the local ministries that Baptist Volunteers in Missions partners with. Mamma Mary is now one of ours in more ways than one!