It's not very often that we're privy to what other people think and say about us. My house helper Jane gets asked a lot of questions about our family when she's out and about the student village, since we're only 1 of 2 American student families on campus and therefore an interesting conversation piece! She sometimes comes in the house after hanging laundry or taking Ethan for a walk and likes to share a funny comment about us that's come her way. My personal favorite (and you'll have to imagine the Kenyan accent with it since it's way more fun) is "Hai! (expression of astonishment/amazement) This man (Nate) has married a VERY young girl (me)!" which is one I don't let Nate hear the end of.
On a more serious note though, yesterday afternoon Jane turned to me as she was folding laundry and exclaimed, "Amy, I think your family is really leaving a legacy here!" I was taken aback and asked her what she meant. She went on to tell me several stories.
For example, when we went to the States for 6 weeks in March-April, we left Jane house-sitting in our apartment, paying her to look after the place while we were gone. Apparently people were simply bewildered that we would allow our house helper to stay in our house, use our things, cook on the gas stove, etc. "Wow, they must really love you!" some exclaimed. "These people are really DIFFERENT!"
A couple times other house helpers have noticed Jane wearing one of my fleece jackets on colder days. "What?! She lets you wear her sweater? And she doesn't even wash it after but wears it again herself?!"
Most days Jane is finished her work by lunch-time or shortly thereafter and heads out the door. Sometimes people stop her and say "What? Why are you going home so early? Didn't Amy tell you to do anything else?" "I can go home when the work is finished" replies Jane. "Hai! This is something really DIFFERENT."
DIFFERENT. Different. This is the word that kept repeating itself in each of her little stories. I'm learning from Jane that house helpers (which are the norm across Africa) are often treated like second-class citizens by their employers. She tells people frequently that we treat her like more of a sister than a house helper.
I was quite flabbergasted by this conversation. I'm a stay-at-home Mom and I often fail to see how my Christian testimony can have much impact beyond these 4 walls. I certainly had no idea I was being observed this closely! I seek to be devoted to serving my husband and raising our children to know and love God and keeping our home well. I believe this is my first calling and I'm delighted to do it. However, I often feel frustrated that I don't have more extra time to be "out there" involved in other ministry, making an impact. Most of the time my outings involve going to the vegetable stand to buy potatoes and onions or taking Karina and Ethan tramping through the mud to see the campus cows in their stable. Because this is Africa and we live in a close-knit community, there are always lots of greetings and short conversations along the way and I had no idea these could be significant for anyone.
I shared this with Jane, who is a very Godly lady. She shook her head. "People see who you are." she said. "They are watching. They see that your salvation is real. They see how you talk to people kindly and what your character is like."
Wow. This is a great encouragement to me to press on in what I believe the LORD has called me to do for this season of my life. Apparently a life lived largely in the home CAN have an impact "out there"! One thing that stands out to me is the benefit of longevity to a person's testimony. It takes time for people to notice consistent character and to say "Hai! This is something really different!" We have lived here for 2 years and we are on the doorstep of a move to Ethiopia long-term. We can't possibly know how long we will live there but at this point we would love for it to be 15 or so years. I have at least 3 more years with an under 5, preschool child to care for and invest in full-time. I am now excited and inspired to continue to make time to spend in prayer and Bible study, receiving the grace and the power I need to live a holy life each day; to continue to serve my family first; and now to be mindful how these seemingly insignificant interactions with people and the way I treat my house helper can spread the aroma of Christ wherever I am.
I give glory to God for any righteousness seen in me. I am all too aware of my failures and sins and know that any goodness in me comes from the Holy Spirit. I am so happy that Christ is changing me and that He's being seen in my life.
I hope this story encourages you, especially if you're a stay-at-home Mom or someone who needs to spend a lot of time at home for some reason. People are watching us, looking for "something really DIFFERENT"!
So, "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven"! (Matthew 5:16)
