BRING ESTHER TO AMERICA

By Ken Simmons

We are asking for your help to bring Esther Muchai to America. Please read on to learn why.

Last summer Diane and I were in Kenya, Africa where we held a series of crusades near a small city known as illasti, and we also spoke a few times to a group of some 100 or so excited and passionate Christians in a little church nearby. I was especially thrilled and surprised when the children seemed to flock to me, and during the crusades there were times when I was often surrounded by dozens of smiling, happy children who seemed delighted when I blessed each of them.

Also, during our time there we met a woman who definitely had an impact on our lives in ways we never expected.?We have decided to do our best to bring this woman to America. Her name is Esther Muchai, 43. Since never having done anything of this sort in the past we quickly discovered that this is an undertaking that was bigger than we anticipated, and frankly bigger than the both of us had imagined. Yet we are determined to do everything in our power to bring this about. Please read on to learn more about this remarkable woman.?

Upon our arrival at the Teule Guest House in Loitokitok, Kenya, I immediately sensed that the woman who greeted us was a woman who loves Jesus, and as we spent more time with her my first impression was reinforced over and over again. We spent three weeks at the Guest House where Esther served as our gracious host. But, we also learned that in addition to her responsibilities for managing the facility, she was both host and cook, and she also was responsible for cooking all the meals for the many children in the nearby orphanage. During our visit to that orphanage it was obvious the children there loved her a great deal, and many called her “Mom.” ???????

This quiet and gracious woman won us over quickly with her warmth and kindness, and those qualities are a gift to all who meet her. Esther Muchai is a spirit-filled believer who certainly ranks high as one of the kindest women I have ever encountered. She is fluent in English, as well as a few African dialects such as Swahili.

Her personal story was quite a surprise, as the tragedy she has endured belies her kind and gentle nature. During her years growing up Esther’s parents, who were strict Catholics, repeatedly physically and verbally abused her, and despite her parents’ religious background. When she became an adult she was abandoned by her husband, making it necessary for her to once again live with her parents, who continued to physically and verbally abuse her seemingly without end. Recently she and her three-year-old son were finally able to escape the nightmare that was life with her parents, and they now live in a tiny room she rents. How she has been able to remain true to her Christian faith is truly remarkable as she appears to hold no grudges or unforgiveness. My wife and I spent many hours with her, and we learned that the depth of her suffering never dampened her love for God, nor did it harden her spirit. She remains kind and loving.?

Esther’s constant prayer is that she and her son Phil are able to come to America, and we have decided to help her in any way we can to achieve that goal. Her character shows that she deserves a better life in America.

First, I am asking those of you who know how to pray (there is a difference) to join with us in praying that Esther and her son will be able to come to America, and also to pray to see if you can help us facilitate that in any way.

Next, Esther will need to find steady employment. During our time at the Teule Guest House her management skills kept the facility clean, neat, well-stocked and stable. She also managed to provide the facility with wholesome meals. She did all this in spite of her meager salary of $9 a day.

Lastly, she and her son will need a place to live. Possibly employment and housing can be available at the same location.

Once these various criteria are met she can obtain the required Green Card.

With an estimated 6 million people having come into America illegally over the past two years, with little or no restrictions, it is ironic that for the people who respect our country’s laws the road to legal immigration has so many difficult hurdles to overcome. ?

After arriving home in America Diane and I called Esther and asked her if we could be her proxy Mom and Dad. Esther? joyfully replied,

"I had prayed you would say that. Yes, and I have never felt so much love in all my life.? When you said that I began to cry. I am so full of tears. Yes, yes, I will call you Mom and Dad. Thank you, thank you!!” To this day she calls us Papa Ken and Mama Diane.

If you are truly interested please contact me, Ken Simmons, at (909) 957-8882. You can also reach me at [email protected], or at [email protected]. At some point it may be we can arrange for you to speak with her by telephone although the 10-hour time difference between the U.S. and Kenya must be factored in.

It is unfortunate that Diane and I do not have a home of our own, as we live with my wife’s sister. Otherwise, we would not hesitate to have Esther live with us. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration. Ken Simmons