Article submitted by Brad & Cami Matlack, Field Coordinators in Kenya
Tonight we mourned with Silas’ family. We see him EVERY DAY. And every day, he greets us with a big, friendly smile. Silas, the carpenter, works just on the path to our home. Seven days a week, from seven in the morning until six o’clock at night, he is there. Working to provide for his family. Some days, he brings his 2 beautiful daughters to work with him. I didn’t know he also had a son.
Today, as I passed, a colleague shared with me – “Silas’ 8-month-old son died yesterday.” So, Brad and I arranged to visit his home, meet his wife, mourn with his family. Emotionally, we were trying to grasp – Baby Chris had been sick for only 2 days! Suddenly, he was gone. Then, Mama Chris’ jacket slipped open – and I saw her blouse, sopping wet with milk that was still dripping – for the son that would no longer be able to drink. This is when I could no longer hold in my tears. Grief…
One of Silas’ brother, the oldest, couldn’t believe that we are neighbors. You LIVE here? he asked. Most people don’t want to get out of their car in our neighborhood! Yes, we LIVE here and we will laugh with those who rejoice and MOURN with those who MOURN.