By Juli McGowan Boit | Published: August 15, 2013
Nobert Kipkirui Ruto
Born: 2003
Guest at Living Room since June 10, 2013
“Where does it hurt?” Juli asked. Ten year-old Nobert lifted his shirt to indicate his stomach, but in doing so, he unveiled his emaciated torso which appeared to me to be nothing more than thin dark skin draped over his well-defined ribcage. A combination of HIV, untreated tuberculosis and poverty had left Nobert literally starving to death. I was immediately filled with shock at what my eyes had previously only seen on late-night television commercials; only this day I did not have a remote and could not change the channel to pretend like I had not noticed the suffering that exists within this world. Besides the shock, though, I also felt a mixture of emotions that I did not quite know how to respond to: sorrow that this child was suffering; helplessness in that I did not know what, if anything, could be done for him; and anger that a child could reach this point of hunger, and no one had yet stepped in to intervene on Nobert’s behalf. In contrast, Juli, my sister, who has witnessed countless children, like Nobert, fighting for their lives, simply said, “Nobert, I want to pray for you,” and then did, asking for God’s mercy; that He would heal Nobert; and that God’s kingdom would come and that His will would be done.
After we left Nobert’s room that Sunday afternoon and walked the mile-and-a-half towards home, I asked Juli if Nobert was going to make it. She responded, “I hope so.” Over the past few years and continuing that day, she and I have had several lengthy discussions about the word “hope” and about Romans 5:5, which says: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Like Juli, I was earnestly hoping and praying that God would restore Nobert’s life back to him; and if He did not, the disappointment that I would feel would be great. How could Paul write, “…hope does not disappoint…”?
What I failed to mention earlier was that as Juli and I prayed for Nobert, also with us in the room, laying hands on and praying over Nobert, was an eight year-old boy named Dan who possessed a very similar story to that of Nobert. Dan is HIV+. Dan came to Living Room severely malnourished, in need of a refuge. But this energetic child with a huge smile and infectious laugh was the proof that God could restore life to the starving and wasted shell that was now before us in Nobert.
Upon arriving to Kimbilio Hospice, the Living Room team immediately began Nobert on a strict regimen of formula and TB medication. Within a few days, life began to return to Nobert. Although even in his most lethargic stage Nobert remained remarkably articulate, as he gained weight, strength, and energy, Nobert’s sweet disposition, bright mind, and curiosity for life was revealed to us, and we rejoiced in the transformation taking place before our eyes. In late June, a team of visitors came and taught Nobert and some of the other Kimbilio guests the card-game UNO, which they still play (quite competitively, actually) on a daily basis.
I am unbelievably grateful that God has restored life to both Nobert and Dan. While I fully believe and trust in God’s sovereignty, I would have felt deep disappointment and heartache if the outcome had turned out differently, as I was earnestly hoping and praying for their healing. And I am aware that hoping for certain outcomes amidst the brokenness of this world will most undoubtedly be accompanied by disappointment at times. But our hope cannot lie only in the outcome; rather, it is in the merciful God who does not just switch the channel to avoid seeing our suffering. He not only hears our cries; he is the Emmanuel God who promises to be near to the brokenhearted. Mother Teresa writes, “There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.” I am thankful for the Living Room team, who are not overwhelmed by the cries of those who are suffering; instead, they allow the Spirit to emerge through their lives to create a safe-haven, a refuge for Nobert, Dan, and countless others, regardless of the outcome.
In honor of World Hospice Day and to raise awareness of Living Room’s Kimbilio Hospice, on October 13, we will be hosting the 1st Annual Kimbilio Hospice Marathon, which will begin and end on the Living Room grounds. The word “Kimbilio” in Kiswahili means “refuge” or more literally, “a place to run to.” With this in mind, the theme of this year’s marathon is “A Place to Run to… Worth Running for.” On the same day, I will be running in the Long Beach Marathon on behalf of Nobert and Dan.
As we gear up for this event, we will be presenting stories of Living Room guests who have helped to shape the hospice, and we believe they are worth running for. One story will be presented each day excluding Sundays on livingroominternational.org and Living Room’s Facebook page for the fifty days leading up to the marathon. We encourage you to follow and share these stories.
There is still an opportunity to join Team Living Room and participate in a local race or to sponsor others participating. For more information, please visit teamlivingroom.org.
– Written by Joshua McGowan, visitor and friend of Living Room
Eight year-old Dan Kibet Muyaka (pictured left) was a guest at Living Room from May 20 – July 12, 2013
Nobert and Dan are worth running for
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