Tiny

My best friend for the past year has been a Kenyan man who lives in the slum. He makes in a month what I spend on dinner out. He has scars on his body from pangas; I’ve never been in a fight. He speaks three languages, and interprets for me, Miss Monolingual. But he is my best friend. Despite the differences, we’re tighter than brothers. Our favorite verse that we tell each other is Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, but a brother was born for adversity.” And most of the time, he is kind enough to let me believe that we are the same. I can easily forget that I’m white, that I’m rich, that I’m more educated. Though this is one of the parts I treasure most about our relationship, it’s a sham. I am different from him. Every now and then, I get a glimpse of it.
Due to careful handling, it’s only happened two or three times before. But the biggest kick was just a few weeks ago, and I stepped right into it.
We were talking about what it would be like if he came to visit me in America. I told him I’d set him up and take care of his room and board. I laughed as I remembered what my budget will be when I get back and said, “In my tiny apartment.” And then it happened. The veil lifted and we were divided.
He said, “You mean as small as mine?” It was an innocent question, I’m sure of it. Still, it hit me like a brick wall. His house is as big as most of your living rooms. It is probably as big as my “tiny” apartment’s living room will be. There’s no carpet, there’s no light, TV, or computer. He doesn’t have a separate room to sleep or cook in. He doesn’t even have a toilet to call his own.
And I said, “Tiny apartment.”
A big question for people going back to the States after an extensive stay in a third world country is whether their values will change. Will they still see the same things as “necessary?” I’m not even home yet and I’m saying things like this. What an eye-opener.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)
“Ndiyo maana nawaamieni, msiwe na wasiwasi juu ya chakula na kinywaji mnavyohitaji ili kuishi, wala juu ya mavazi mnayohitaji kwa ajili ya miili yenu. Je, maisha ni chakula tu au zaidi? Na mwili, je, si zaidi ya mavazi?” (Mathayo 6:25)