When Our Hearts Are Full

Today, I could not get the lyrics “Because when our hearts are full, we need much less” out of my mind. Living here with these children and seeing the work of MGEF has just proven the truth of this statement to me. If I explained the situation of the children at this home or the stories of the girls who MGEF sponsors, you would probably picture lives of suffering and sorrow. However, these children are some of the most amazing and fun children I have ever met. Being here has made me see how distracting material things and stuff can be. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we want and what we want to achieve in life that we forget to step back and appreciate the simple things in life that are so beautiful.

I woke up this morning, took a bucket shower, and walked to work. The walk is about twenty minutes long and I enjoy every second of it. The landscape of Kenya still takes my breath away. It was so nice to be welcomed by Emily and Lucy. Today we worked some more on the financial stuff and then began working on a newsletter. I also was able to meet Elias, the man who helps conduct life skills workshops for the Maasai chiefs, elders, and boys. These workshops are held to educate Maasai men on the value and rights of Maasai women and girls. Lucy, Emily, and I then went to visit another nearby school called the 7 Day Adventist School and Rescue Center. Seven MGEF girls attend school there and it was wonderful to meet them. We sat in a classroom and helped them write letters to their sponsors back in the United States.

I also had the honor of meeting the director of the school and rescue center. She is a strong and amazing Maasai woman. She explained that when she was growing up, she was the only girl to graduate in her primary school class. All of her friend dropped out of school before grade 7 to get married. Back then she swore to herself that she would try and bring change. And here she is today running a rescue center that girls can come to in search of help or refuge. It was crazy to look around the room and see this woman, Lucy, and Emily. I was in the presence of three world-changing women and I was very honored.

Walking home from work was when I had another one of those “holy crap” moments. It’s crazy to say, but I often forget where I am and what I am doing here. Looking at the beautiful sky, I was able to remind myself that I am in Africa working with incredible people and organizations. I wave of gratitude came over me. I am thankful to so many people for where I am today…people who believed in me, people who opened my eyes, people who challenged me to, people who loved me. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I am very grateful.

After work, I spent some time with the children and just talked with them. I played a game with a few of them that is kind of like monkey in the middle but different. It was so so so cool because this is a game that I play with Jeannette back in Nashville :) I often forget how close I am to where she grew up and how similar this place must be. I am very excited to share all of this with her when I get back. Some of the older girls asked me what I do with MGEF. It was really cool to sit down and explain MGEF and its work to them. The one girl asked if MGEF could come and talk to them because she wants to hear more about the rights of women in society.

Today I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratefulness that organizations like MGEF and the Rescue Center exist in this world. They truly are a beacon of hope for these young women. Here are some of the difficulties they have overcome. One girl was eleven years old and living with a husband and not allowed to attend school. One walked 50 km by foot carrying her baby because she wanted to go to school and get away from her husband. Another is 12 years old and has never stepped foot inside a classroom. These young women DESERVE better than this. And organizations like MGEF are giving them back their right to live, to chose their path in life, and to find true happiness. One awesome book that I have been reading lately (and that was a gift from a wonderful friend) is called “I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced.” Every single person should read this book. It is about the first child bride in Yemen to win a divorce. Hearing these stories makes me remember that I cannot be content with my own rights or take them for granted. I must appreciate the freedom that I am privileged to have and fight so that every other girl in this world can grow up with the power to CHOOSE.