“Three things in human life are important: the first is to
be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” Henry James
There’s been a noticeable shift
in language between our time in Zambia and Kenya. In Chikankata we often
talked about making ends meets, donations and survival. In the increasingly
professionalized environment of community development and social work, sustainability,
environmental impact, outputs and impact measurement are the key issues and concepts. Of course, this change is welcome, important and essential
but this Christmas I have been reminded that for all the very important need to
change the way we view and assess things, underpinning all we do is kindness. I don't think we should lose sight of that.
Kindness seems not to be a fashionable
word at the moment. You will rarely see it mentioned in project proposals,
spoken about in project meetings / boards or mentioned in organizational reports but it is often at
the centre of The Salvation Army’s community work and funding.
This is what got me thinking. We were fortunate to have a
couple of days holiday together as a family. Indeed, it is the only days we
have had on our own on holiday as a family this year. As we ventured up a very
treacherous road towards the retreat centre, we were battling to avoid getting
completely stuck in the mud and wondering whether we would actually make it, we
met a car coming the other way. The driver said to us ‘ you can’t go down here,
I have spent the whole morning trying to get through on this road. Follow me, I
will show you a better way where the road is good’. After a whole morning battling with the road
conditions, this man was willing not only to warn me but to show me an
alternative route. I was literally blown away by such kindness. We have also
received a number of cards and gifts from people, which has meant that we can
enjoy a special Christmas time with our small family. This Christmas I have
been overwhelmed by the kindness shown to me and the work we do.
When I reflect back on this last
couple of weeks, I can see so many acts of kindness all around me. Quite
frankly I am glad that there is a spirit of kindness which is still evident in
the much maligned country of Kenya. I
also continue to be blown away by God’s provision through the kindness of His
people from many different and often unexpected places.
Over Christmas, our Projects Office members have been busy,
delivering that kindness to children in Nairobi from people all around the
world:
- we supported a Christmas party for the children
of Kibera nursery (a project we fund through the kindness of a business in
Norway), which is situated in one of the largest and poorest slums in the
world.
- we are provided a meal for the street children
of Nairobi, funded by the kindness of people in the UK and Kenya and made
possible by the kindness of a group of young Kenyan Salvationist who want to
make a difference
- we are took the children of Kabete Children’s
Home out for a special Christmas day out to the cinema, KFC and soft play,
buying present and providing a special meal for them on Christmas day, thanks
to the kindness of people from the UK and the USA
I am also spent time reflecting on many
similar acts of kindness that I witnessed throughout 2013. I know it is vitally important to become far more professional in our
project and social work but I hope we never forget that a lot of the
work undertaken by The Salvation Army in Kenya, and indeed around the world, is
made possible through simple acts of kindness.
