The One With The Night At Enea’s (5/27/2013)

Wednesday afternoon Mom, Bob, and I hiked down the mountain to the Kagwina weekly market where I buy my food.  The women there loved seeing some new American faces and Mom and Bob were able to meet the parents of some of my students.  We then continued the walk to Isoko where I showed them around the hospital and the shops and then we went to Enea’s house for dinner.  Enea had an unexpected meeting come up so she had been on the road all day.  But some of her neighbors heard that there were some very special guests coming so they came to Enea’s house and had a feast prepared by the time we got there, which was only a few minutes after Enea arrived.  I am still so impressed with how everyone in the village really does work together in every aspect of life.

My mom described the experience of an evening with Enea like meeting up with an aunt or cousin, someone that you don’t see very often, but with whom you are able to pick up right where you left off.  Enea greeted us with huge hugs and a warm welcome and talked as if we were all old family who had grown up together.  I am so grateful for the ways that she and everyone else in the village have invited me into their homes and families and how they have now extended that to include my family. 

I had told my Mom about Tulie’s bread making skills and Tulie heard that my mom was excited to try it.  So she decided to put together a presentation for her on how the bread is prepared.  I think my mom cringed a little bit as this 8 year old maneuvered the red hot charcoals on her own, but the bread turned out delicious and no one was hurt in the process!

The night went late with goodbyes and gifts but thankfully the moon was just about full so we hardly needed flashlights for the hour hike back up the mountain.  Saying goodbye to Enea was not easy.  Enea is one of the most open and caring people I know.  She cares for over 1,500 orphans as if each one of them was her own child and she does more with her few resources than anyone I know.  She is always looking for ways to make life better for those around her and she welcomes everyone with open arms. For that and so much more I will miss her very much!