DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS I faced, I continued to remain strong in my life of prayer. During this time, I was also an unwavering member of an international women’s prayer group called Aglow International. Despite the rumors put out by the community, the prayer group’s chapter in Kenya elected me to attend an international conference as a representative of Kenya, the theme of which was, “Ordinary Women with Extraordinary Callings.” While I had never before experienced international travel, as I was still in the midst of hardship and persecution at home, I decided not to pass up the opportunity God had put before me. Leaving would present me with the opportunity to think, and regain perspective. And so, with the help of sponsorship, I ventured off to San Antonio, Texas.
Unfortunately, as it was my first experience with leaving the country, I was overwhelmed and confused. Having received my passport, I was trying to make my way to the airline ticket counter, but many individuals surrounded me, with ill intentions. An international flight ticket and passport are hard to attain in Kenya. Because of this, many individuals wanted to defraud me of both the ticket and passport, and travel to America themselves. There was too much confusion; I felt as though I was surrounded on all sides by a whirlwind.
I knew nothing of international travel and must have appeared very foolish. Finally, the flight attendant was so confused that she demanded everyone leave, save for the original ticket holder: me. The entire process took considerably longer than it should have, and the airline spent so much time clearing up the confusion that they were forced to delay the flight for me personally. Finally, with ticket firmly in hand, an attendant was assigned to direct me toward the appropriate terminal. By this time it was obvious to all that I had never flown before, and the last thing they wanted was for me to get lost, further postponing the flight. So, like a child, I was escorted through the halls.
This is also when I—for the first time in my life—encountered moving stairs. I was terrified! My heart rate increased and I was filled with the fear of the unknown. I had no idea how to enter an escalator, nor did I have any desire to learn. But unfortunately, in order to catch the plane and travel to America, I had no choice. I stood there, watching each step come and go. Each time, just as I began to work up the courage to jump on a stair, it would move forward and away, and another would appear before me. Finally, I counted to three, closed my eyes and forced myself to board the escalator. By this time the flight attendant had become rather annoyed and felt the need to lend a “helpful” push.
Even aboard the escalator my heart continued to pound. I was fascinated by the invention, but I was just as unsure of how to get off the moving stairs as I had been with getting on. Fortunately, I was relieved to discover how easy it was, and once I had safely disembarked I couldn’t help but stand there, laughing—not only because of the unnecessary fear I had experienced over moving stairs, but because I also now had to wait for my shoes to arrive, several steps behind me. To this day, I still do not understand how they were left behind; but I will never forget my first encounter with an escalator.
I learned a lot on my first international trip, and had the opportunity to experience many new things. But while much happened during my time in the United States, what I remember best is the guidance that God provided me with. While at the conference, I had the opportunity to speak with the keynote speaker. She spoke of the many strong women of the Bible and their callings—Sarah, Rebecca, Ruth, Naomi, Debra and Mary, mother of Jesus. They all looked so ordinary, and yet were each extraordinary in their ability to realize God’s plan for them. I began to realize that, despite my own ordinary appearance, I too had received an extraordinary calling. Despite being without status or education, I still was called to do extraordinary things. She quoted the Scriptures then, and I truly believe that it was the Lord speaking to me through him:
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” —Psalm 37:7
I was to be still and trust in my Lord. It was He who had called me and given me such a large vision—if I was to wait patiently, He would see me through my difficulties. This was much easier said than done; it is hard not to worry when a wicked scheme against you appears to have been successful. But I knew now: I was to remain still and persevere in faith, trusting that God would provide and knowing that He would not allow the community to tarnish my name.
But he never told me how long I would wait. That was the hardest time in my life when I was reduced to a puddle of tears. And still children were now coming, and I could not chase the children away.
My decision to approach my husband, and to ask his help in the matter, was a difficult one; after all, what I needed from him was no small thing. But when I asked Isaac to give me his land, so that I could do what I felt in my heart was needed, I was deeply moved by his positive response. My husband was so supportive and caring—though it helped that he was always worrying about me and my health! Isaac took out a loan through his job, and gave me all the money to begin building a house where we could all live happily. We entered our house on a hill in July of 1990. And as he and I stood side by side atop the hill, looking out at our home and our future, we were both thinking about what we were doing—and where it would lead.