Inspiration

The lady on the left is my mother-in-law, Elizabeth.  Also known as "Mama William".  Every day she comes to spend time with Ryan and teach him a little Kalenjin, her mother-tongue language .  This morning she brought a new friend with her.  She excitedly introduced me to Rose (holding Ryan in the photo).  She shared with me that this last week Rose entered ELI's alcohol recovery program.  Rose was glowing.  She explained that she is a trained teacher but has been unable to work because alcoholism has totally disabled her.  She is thankful for the second chance she is getting in the program here.

What you may not know, is that a little over four years ago Mama William was sitting in her shoes. For William's entire life up to that point his mother had constantly battled with alcohol.  In fact it was so bad that she was incapable of properly caring for him when he was a child.  He wound up being raised in an amazing adoptive family.  But over the decades he continued to reach out to his mother. 

Shortly after we were married in 2007 she agreed to enter the ELI Anti-Alcohol program.  At that time she completely surrendered her life to God and turned her back on alcohol.  She has been sober since then.  What is an inspiration to me is that she now reaches out to others facing the same struggles she has endured.  When she looked at Rose she knew she could be an inspiration to her.  So she is walking the journey with her and providing encouragement and hope.

Recently some people were talking about how bad things used to be for Mama William.  She asked them to stop.  She reminded them that the past is in the past and that she has a new and redeemed life now.  I'm so blessed by the way she is dedicated to inspiring others!