Anna

Anna died today.

So much lies within that one sentence. So many emotions and thoughts. I am trying to process why I am grieving so deeply for someone I've never met. Why do I weep over one who never knew me? Someone who I've never talked to or hugged or laughed. I know Anna was loved by Joe and Molly, her mom and dad, more than she had ever imagined was possible prior to coming to Springs of Hope Kenya. She had friends, family, love, and laughter in her life, however short it may have been.

What grieves me most is this thought....how many other "Annas" died today? While Anna was safe and loved within her home, there were others who lived on the streets and had no family. Who was there for them as they suffered? Who held their hands and fragile bodies as the complications of AIDS became their reality? Did they ever know a day of love while they were here with us?

The fact is, yes they were here with US. If it is not our responsibility to show the least of these love, then whose responsibility is it? Even though we may never see them in person, we can still help them. We can send money to those that ARE there and willing to help these precious little ones. I am honored to call several of these people my friends. Joe and Molly and also Benard live in Kenya. A normal day for them is working in the community and serving those that that have been discarded and abandoned. Ben ministers to those who are dying of AIDS, but still have to live here before they leave. He tries to give them some comfort and love while they are here. He goes into homes and helps feed and bathe those who are too weak to feed and bathe themselves. How do you see a mother of six laying in her bed, too weak to move, and not want to help her? How can you not send money to help her children eat today?

We don't help because we think we have to feed them all. The reality is a cup of coffee to us is a lifeline to them. How many "Annas" have to die before we get this fact? Maybe it's because "Anna" doesn't look like us. Would we have more compassion towards a Russian child? What if the child was dressed in Baby Phat and had designer shoes? Would we relate more to her? How do we see these naked, abused children and not care? We find it criminal if a parent in America leaves their 6 year old child for an hour to go to the grocery store, yet these children are the same age and RAISING their younger siblings with no parent around at all.

There are those there who WANT to care for them, they simply cannot afford it. There are those of us going to Kenya in August who still need financial support so we CAN be the hands and feet of Christ. I still need to raise $2,000 myself. I know SOHK operates on a budget. I doubt Anna's medical bills or the cost of her funeral were included in that budget. If you can, will you please help them? Will you sacrifice something this month to help alleviate some of their financial pain? Only Christ can heal their hearts, but we can help heal their financial burden. There is no reason someone who has sacrificed everything of comfort, to follow the greatest commandment of all, should have to worry about where the next meal will come from or how they will pay the medical bills. We hear medical bill and think thousands of dollars, when in Kenya it is only a few hundred. Even if you can only take the $10 challenge (www.springsofhopekenya.org) , please DO it! Your reward will be greater than you could ever imagine.

Most of all, please pray for the hearts of those at SOHK. I am sure Anna is missed by all those who called her daughter and sister. Her lights is gone from their home, but her spirit will not be forgotten. Please also pray for all the "Annas" whose names we don't know and faces we can't see. Pray in their time of need, someone will be the angel in their lives to show them love can exist this side of heaven.