Meet My Friend, Doreen

Friendship is a sheltering tree.  ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Hold a true friend with both your hands.  ~Nigerian Proverb

Doreen is my friend. Doreen is unlike any other friend I have. Doreen is unlike almost any other person I know.  It has been my joy to introduce her to many friends who come to visit from the U.S. Today, I want to introduce her to you.

Doreen lives in the IDP Camp that is located about 30 min. from my house in Kijabe. She was forced to flee her home in Western Kenya during the election violence of 2007.  She and her 2 boys ran from their home with only the clothing they were wearing. They ran with fear and terror in their eyes and hearts not knowing the fate that awaited them.  They have never returned to their home.

After the presidential election in Dec. 2007 Kenya erupted into tribal clashes that ended with thousands of Kenyans dead/injured/traumatized at the hands of their own countrymen. Women were raped in daylight, people murdered, property set on fire, and lives changed forever. Doreen's husband, who was diabetic, died during the fall-out of the clashes. The Kikuyu tribe was the target of the violence in Western Kenya. Because her husband was Kikuyu, no one would provide him with the necessary insulin.
Think about that - no pharmacist, no doctor, no hospital would provide insulin to this man because of his tribe and thus, he died.

Before the violence, Doreen was a successful business woman. She was not wealthy according to American standards, but she had a home, a consistent income, and food for her family.  Due to circumstances out of her control, her life was forever changed.  Once an independent woman, Doreen was now dependent upon the corrupt Kenyan government and charitable organizations for her very survival.

I met Doreen a little over 1 year ago. We have shared many conversations over cups of chai sitting together in her home, a tent donated by the UNHCR.  Doreen is a loving mother to her 2 young boys, Daniel and Peter. She is on the leadership council of the IDP Camp and also on the board of the Eldima Poultry Project within the camp.  Doreen is the lead teacher at the preschool that seeks to educate children from at least 3 nearby IDP camps.
She is not a lazy woman; she does not view herself as a victim; Doreen is an extraordinary woman.

One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is sitting with Doreen, talking for hours over a bowl of amazing beans and the best chapati. Did I mention that Doreen is also a fabulous cook! She has a charcoal cooker, which is all she needs to prepare a meal for her family or for a group of 25+ people!

Doreen making her delicious chapati on the charcoal cooker.

On most days, Doreen talks freely of the post-election violence and surrounding events. She talks of what it is like to now live in a tent in a dirt field. She talks of her hopes for the future. Doreen always talks of God and His faithfulness to her and her family. She has indeed endured trials of many kinds; she has known suffering at a level that is hard to truly understand. Nevertheless, Doreen's faith and love for Jesus never seem to waver.  She has had so much taken from her, yet she still gives freely. She gives encouragement, laughter, and love. We've had many hilarious conversations as we discuss cultural differences. The funniest was hearing how we were creating scandalous rumors because Bob and our friend Dan would give Doreen big hugs - in public!

Dan and Rachel's son Brayden receiving a tender hug from Doreen. 

Many times I am amazed at the things that come out of Doreen's mouth. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."  Her heart overflows with the joy of the Lord.

On more than one occasion when talking about the violence, I have expressed my sorrow at the suffering she and her boys endured. Doreen usually responds with this:
"Julie, if the violence had never occurred, I would still be living in my house in Eldoret. I would never have come here and we would never have met. You see, God had this planned all along."
When I told her we could have just met in heaven and still had eternity together she shook her head exclaiming, "But, this way we will know each other already and know each other's stories. Because of that, the celebration in heaven will be even greater!"
Speechless.

Just over one week ago tragedy struck again. The son of a dear friend of ours in the IDP camp was murdered. Heartbroken,  it was clear Doreen struggled throughout the week leading up to the burial.  Her heart was heavy for our friend Joseph, whose son was now gone due to more violence.  The night before the burial Doreen hosted our family and the entire team from The Village Church for dinner. She insisted we all spend the evening together to encourage and bless one another. (Romans 12:15) She made her famous beans, rice, chapati, and chai. I could tell her heart hurt for Joseph, but her faith remained resolute. "God knows these things", she would tell me and "God will lead us on."

Bob and I had planned to attend the burial. However, as often happens in Kenya, plans changed. Bob had to be in the hospital to perform a minor surgery on a patient. When I called Doreen to express our regrets at not being able to attend, she once again assured me in the way that only Doreen can. Her words,  "We are going to take care of the dead; Bob is going to take care of the living. God will use him today and we will be blessed knowing he is caring for the living."

Upon their return from the burial, Doreen and Joseph came to Naomi's Village to join us for the Kenyan BBQ celebrating the completion of the main events room.  When it came time for them to leave, powerful words were again spoken. This time by Joseph, but with Doreen smiling in complete agreement. Joseph said, "The day began with mourning but ended with celebration. God has ordained these events, so tonight when we lay our heads down, we'll remember the celebration and have peace in our hearts."

I am currently studying Habakkuk.  Doreen is a living example of Habbakuk's confident worship of the Lord given at the conclusion of the book. Doreen has learned through her life experiences that circumstances do not dictate the worthiness of God. He alone is worthy and He is always worthy of our praise!

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in God my Savior. 

Pray for Doreen and her children, Daniel and Peter. Pray for Joseph. And, if God ever brings you to Kenya, you will be immensely blessed to share a cup of chai with Doreen and listen to her testify of the faithfulness of our great God and King.