Eunice

I know that I take forever before I can get on here and write something, but I think it's because I fear what would happen if I shared my heart. I guess it's because I don't like knowing that people just do not care. I'm learning to kick that habit, but bare with me as I attempt to update this page! Vulnerability is strength because it means that we die to ourselves and let God move. I have been humbled many times, and can say that through all those times I have much more confidence.
I hated Africa when I was there because I felt like there was nothing that I could do to see a nation change. This in a way is the truth, ultimately, God is the one who will change it. We are just responsible to make the most out of where He has called us to, and focus on the individuals he places in our path. We are called to love without boundaries and walk forward in faith.
I want to tell a story of a girl that I had met in Kenya who was a part of changing my life. Her name is Eunice, and she is 16. I met her at the Machakos School for the Physically Handicapped and she was in the eighth grade. I guess you could call her my hero (and yes I have many of those). She was born without legs, I will not give many details because, in truth, I don't know them. We stumbled on the school and fell in love with the children there. They had so much joy. Most of the children there had treatable handicaps. What I mean by this, is that if they were born in a first world country, they could be completely fine. For example, some of the children had limbs that were twisted in an opposite direction, that with a surgery and physio, could most likely walk almost normal. Instead they just live with the discomfort. Kids were in wheelchairs made out of plastic chairs and bike wheels, if they were missing a limb they just hobbled around. It was sad, but as I mentioned, they had such joy. Also I have never been so humbled in playing soccer with them (they were ten times better than me).
Eunice is most likely the strongest person I have ever met. She asked me first of all if I knew Christ, and I laughed and told her that He was the reason I was there with her. We immediately became friends. She started telling me about the revelations God had revealed through His word and all I wanted to do is listen. She told me how she wanted to be a lawyer, and her brother was becoming a doctor. She told stories of her mom. After a few visits, I met her mom and family who came to visit her. Eunice was so proud of them and they had heard so much about me. To them, I was family. Karoline (a girl on my team) and I went one weekend before we left to visit her family (cousins, mom, brother and grandfather) at their place. They were ashamed that they could not give me anything but a cup of tea and a bun... I told them that anything they had to give me meant the world to me. They cried when they told me of Eunice and how much they appreciated our friendship. I cried after I left that place. Eunice's mom was working two jobs in order to pay for their education. That family had nothing, and yet gave me so much.
One thing that I will never forget is something Eunice told me during one of our visits. We were talking about life, just small talk, and she turns to me and says, "Bethany, I know that God has made me this way for a reason. I know that I am stronger than most, and I will give Him the glory."
I gave her my shirt, a bible, my bracelet, but I think I also gave her my heart. She has no idea how much of an impression she made on me. I complain about the smallest things, and begin to question God when he brings me through trials. Then here is Eunice rejoicing in her struggles because she knows He is closer to her. She will always remain in my prayers.