Ellen Daniels-Howell, Executive Director of Global Interfaith Partnership
When I leave someone’s company here, my tendency is to say something about how I look forward to seeing them again. Without fail, the response I get is “God willing.” For some, that response speaks to their belief that God controls all the minutiae of life and has a specific plan for our lives. For all, however, it is a recognition that life is precarious and illness, accidents or death can interrupt one’s plans at any time. Kenyans tend to have fewer illusions than I do about being in control of life.
Therefore, when Project Director Joseph Okuya had a serious car accident a couple of days ago, requiring an emergency response from family and friends, I was not surprised to hear a lot of conversation about God’s will. No one got caught up in trying to sort of the theological implications of such a conviction; again, it was simply a recognition that much of life is beyond our individual control and cannot be accounted for in human terms.
From the moment we got the first distress call from Joseph, a second refrain emerged: “Be strong.” Over and over again, as word of the accident spread, people reassured one another with the words “We must be strong.” Strong for Joseph, strong for his wife and family, strong for the other people involved in the accident, strong for one another. There was very little acknowledgment of our fears, our worries, our distress. Simply, be strong.
Both of these phrases have been so striking for me. In this place where there is daily evidence that one is not in control of life, the only response is to support one another to have as much inner strength as one can possibly muster.
Although a little worse for the wear right now, Joseph should make a complete recovery from the accident. Although his injuries are much more serious, the driver of the other vehicle also should recuperate eventually. And, as I prepare to leave for home in a couple of days, I tell people I am looking forward to seeing them again. God willing.