The Power of the Touch

If I could summarize the purpose of this mission trip to Busia, Kenya, I would say it is all in the power of the touch. You see, in Africa, people of the same gender hold hands all the time, and it is almost taboo to see people of two different genders holding hands. Now that is very contrary to American culture, and even though I was born in Africa myself, I adopted the American point of view that seeing two men holding hands didn't look right. Even if it was old people or children, seeing it made me uncomfortable. But now that I am back in America, one of my most treasured memories of Busia, Kenya is holding some of their hands. In Kenya, I could be just standing there, minding my own business and someone would run up and grab my hand. They wouldn't speak to me, might not even look up at me, but just would grab my hand and stand beside me.

I think of all the times in America I would get on a bus or go to the bathroom and would immediately, almost instinctively move as far away from everyone as I could. I would grab the only seat on the bus where I would be by myself, I would always have a stall between me and whoever else is in the restroom. That's how we are in America, but in Kenya, and I'm almost sure in every other part of the world besides America, if there was a bus with a few people on it, those few people would be as close as possible. People would hold conversations about life, family and work in the restroom. In my short time in Kenya, I experienced what I have been, and what most Americans are missing out on: The power of the touch.

Before my trip, while I was trying to raise my support, my Aunt asked me, "if it cost each one of you $3,400 to go to Kenya, and there is about 14 of you all, that's about $46,000. Wouldn't the children of Kenya be better served by sending $46,000 to them rather than sending 14 people?" Her question really bothered me, I knew she wasn't trying to discourage me from going on my mission trip to Kenya, but I almost wanted to agree with her. The question lingered with me until I left for my trip but now that I am back, I can confidently say it was well worth it. Those children could care less for the luxuries, things that we consider 'necessities', that money can buy. They just wanted someone to make beads with them, play football with, sing with them, sit with them or just hold their hand. The ministry to the orphans of Busia was in us being there, not in gift-giving. And though that $3,400 could have gone into a one-time project sponsored by me for them, instead it turned me into a life-time advocate for them.

And I know that's just the way God wanted it...
















"Brooke Thrift and Purity making crafts"