Rejoice
. . .
Sunday
I
thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying
with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because
of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work
among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus
Christ. -- Philippians 1:3-6
by
Sharon Pahlka
“How
can she be so loving and hospitable?”
This is what I thought when I first met beautiful Esther
Kitui at Swedish Hospital in Ballard. Her kidneys were failing,
and I was called in by a friend because I lived on a kidney
machine for19 years before my transplant eleven years ago.
You can call me the “kidney connection.”
What
I didn’t know was that God was opening a door through
Esther and her husband Philip to show His mercy and grace
to me. For those of you who know the Kituis, you will know
just what I mean. They touched so many of our lives.
At Christmas, we all think of the story of Mary and Joseph
finding no room at the inn. In Nairobi, Esther and Philip
made room for the large group from Bethany that had gone
on a mission trip to Kenya. On their small income, they
rented a house to have a place to entertain our group and
for some to stay on another week.
They
invited us over for a huge feast which included
a killed sheep, normally reserved for weddings and special
occasions. It must have taken many days to prepare the varied
African dishes we enjoyed.
The
love and hospitality Esther and Philip showed was amazing
-- so very like the Kituis we had come to love. The room
they made in their hearts for us inspires us to make sure
there is room in our hearts for all God’s children.
Thank
you, dear Lord, for bringing Esther and Philip Kitui into
our lives and for the many ways they have blessed and
uplifted the Bethany congregation. Though we are parted
from them by distance, we now lift them to you for your
care and provision. We ask for your continued hand on
Esther’s health, and upon Philip’s work at
Daystar University. We pray that we can follow their example
by opening our hearts, homes and lives as generously as
they have done for so many of us. In Christ’s name
we pray. Amen.
An Advent Journey