Imani means Faith | It's Not For Sissies

Experiencing personal loss of my own this past month, I have ached feeling that I have been somewhat hopeless, abandoned, truly lost.  And sometimes, keeping faith and trust is hard. 

I have come to realize... I've been acting absurd. Hear me out.

In Kiswahili, faith is called, "Imani."  An appropriate name for the orphanage I worked at in Nairobi, Kenya.  Home to hundreds of abandoned children left in dumpsters, paper bags, rolled up carpets, dropped in alleys, all throughout the slums of Nairobi. Now hold on, actually think about that (not to be so morbid), but a baby wrapped in a paper bag, rolled up in a carpet... It makes my heart ache.  Disposed of in a dumpster before having any chance at protecting their own lives.  They are babies. Okay...

While an orphan is by definition one abandoned or lost,  deprived of protection, here are children who are found, loved, and renewed.  Found.  Loved.  Renewed.
If these children can be found, loved, and restored before any chance at saving themselves, then what on earth is my excuse in times of trouble?  I don't have one and I can't.  We all have the opportunity to be restored.  No matter what our circumstances.  We are strong and have remarkable gifts to offer. Time to regroup. Time to choose happiness. Time to empathize with others and be grateful.

Challenges, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, illness, addiction... those things can be overwhelming, it is so true. But we can't forget to see how blessed we are to have family and friends who will never fail to love us, and help us be re-strengthened.  Don't be afraid to reach out for help, nor afraid to give back.  Life is just too short not to.  We can't take a single person or a single moment for granted.

These children have struggles. Out of a soiled paper bag, a tattered, insect-ridden cloth, but they have endless smiles, WIDE EYED eager loving views of the world.  Someone cared enough to bring them in. They are brothers and sisters through renewal and faith. So are you and I.

You would not believe how they look after one another. 
A view of the slums from Imani's rooftop.

Consolata is a beautiful young Kenyan girl who works at Imani.  She comes in almost every day to wipe the children's bottoms, change their clothes, feed them, hold them... most importantly, "just to show them love," she says.  And she loves them.  "Wipe them this way," she guides me.  "Let's change his clothes."  "Let's hold this one." "Let's let this one cry it out, but know that we're still here."  Again, she says... "Let's let this one cry it out, but know that we're still here."   Going through a difficult time?  Cry it out if you need to.  But know that God's still here.  I am not alone.  You are not alone.  We are not alone.

Remember these children and understand that. 

Beyond grateful to see these children so well taken care of at Imani.  They are handled with great care.  Want to contribute to them or just learn more, contact me: britni.tozzi@gmail.com or visit their website: http://www.imanikids.org/

Most importantly, take care of one another.  Take care of yourself.  Forgive yourself for mistakes.  Forgive others for their mistakes.  Give someone a chance.  Be renewed in the love of those around you and the love of God.  Keeping faith in times of struggle is tough, but I am telling you, do NOT give up. It's hard for a reason.  Remember these children.  And when you can't find the strength to do any of that, just breathe...

God gave you air in your lungs that moves freely on its own, to help your heart keep beating, to help your brain keep working, to help your hands keep reaching... so -- keep reaching...keep giving...keep loving... Keep faith.

To my family and friends... thank you for looking after me. :)

God is good.  Life is good.  And even when it's not.... it will be.... trust.