Christmas with Kensy
After finishing my undergraduate degree at the University
of Mississippi, I realized that my life was mid-term in the gradual
shift toward adulthood. Troubled by this revelation and unsure what
career path to take, I opted to spend a few months expanding my
horizons. I moved to a small town in South America, (Montero, Bolivia)
where I lived with a Spanish-speaking family and taught underprivileged
children English at a day school. The experience was phenomenal,
the relationships I made were truly enriching, and it broke my heart
to leave the place and the people behind knowing that I may never
see them again. Upon returning to the United States I chose to move
back to my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama and stay at my parent’s
house until final employment arrangements were made. It amazed me
how different my life had been before my trip and I feared that
readjusting could be difficult. However, it wasn’t long before
my materialistic and self-centered life once again became the everyday
routine.
Moving back in with my parents was inconvenient, stressful, and
uncomfortable. On top of all the confusion my mother informed me
that we would be hosting a family from Honduras for a few weeks.
Although, I was initially  agitated
about sharing my bathroom with strangers, I thought of the family
I had stayed with during my time out of the country, how welcome
they made me feel and what a difference their kindness made. Three
people would be staying with us for the holidays and I was anxious
to get more information about why they were coming. My mother told
me that the family was from Honduras and spoke no English, so they
would be bringing Harriett, a pastor to interpret. I also learned
that the three year-old daughter, Kensy, had a birth defeat called
Spina Bifida and the reason for their visit was so that she could
see a doctor and receive treatment at The Children’s Hospital.
The story alone touched me, but it wasn’t until meeting
Kensy that I saw my opportunity to continue the spiritual growth
experienced from spending time with the children as I had in South
America. Thanks to the generosity and hospitality of my parents
we provided this child and her mother, Oni, with food to eat,
transportation to the hospital, and a place to live. For Thanksgiving
my mother took Oni and Kensy to spend a few days with Kensy’s
uncle and since Harriett wouldn’t need to translate, she
stayed and helped decorate the house for Christmas. Harriett and
my mother became close friends during this time and she told her
all about life in Honduras and on the island of Roatan where Harriet
lives with her husband, David who is also a pastor, and two of
their children. Oni, mother of two (Kensy is three and Emily is
one month old) at only twenty years old, lives with her parents
in a crowded house without air conditioning or electricity. Kensy
and her mother has been waiting for almost two years to get their
visa to come for the surgery.
Kensy surprised me with her energy and positive attitude which
lit up the room and made for some entertaining  evenings
at the dinner table. We were able to communicate using my very
elementary Spanish, even played ball, colored pictures, and watched
movies. The difference that one person or a single kindness can
make is truly unbelievable, and little did I realize that by opening
our home, my mother was opening our hearts. Even through all the
hustle and bustle of our modern day holiday season, Kensy’s
story shines with Christ’s love in a way that honors the
true meaning of Christmas and reminds us that this time of year
is simply about giving.
Lauren West |
