You know how sometimes you come in contact with someone who just raises the bar so high, you can't really see it anymore? This is a story about a woman like that. Her name is Betty.
We recently went to visit Betty in her home about an hour from Tenwek. Its rainy season now so the walking can be messy and take much longer than usual. So we drove about halfway there, had to park the vehicle, and then continue the rest of the way on foot.
Betty is one of the first women that the Tabitha Ministry built a house for so Peris and Linda know her well. But I had never met her before this day. (Betty is in the orange skirt)
She served served us chai and bread and we sang together before leaving.
There were so many children that belonged to her and her neighbors all around us. Very few had shoes. Most were barefoot. But she wanted to make sure her visitors had shoes that would be good for walking. That kind of sacrificial love stings your eyes and catches your throat. After all that we just heard from her, she still has a heart that is unreservedly generous in a world that has taken so much from her.
It was convicting and inspiring all at the same time. The bar for following Jesus and loving like He does was raised significantly that day. I'm so glad we went instead of staying home because of the rain. It was like going to church. Only better.
(I feel the need to mention that we did NOT take the shoes....)