Pray For Me

“I think what I would like most is for you to pray for me”. “Maombi tu”.

Those are the humble words Nyambu, as we now prefer to call her uttered when at long last I got the opportunity to talk to her.

After reading about her pending deportation, which I rather find extremely unfair and unnecessary, I made the effort to find out if it was possible to talk to her. At my first call to a mutual friend I ascertained that it is possible.

It was a nervous conversation after such a long time, almost over a year and a half that we both didn’t know what to expect or what the other’s reaction would be. Being close friends for over five years, what happened unexpectedly hit me in a way a still can’t describe.

The twist came when she moved out of Stockholm after acquiring her own apartment. I still remember the conversation we had when she told me the news and though I was absolutely happy for her, I couldn’t help wondering why she had to move so far away from Stockholm.

“I want to be outside Stockholm, I need the change and the place I’m moving to is good for kids. Am kind of tired of Stockholm too so when I got the offer, I couldn’t refuse. It should be a good way to start over.” Those might not be the exact words since we had the conversation in Swahili but just about.

Nyambu and I had induced a fond friendship between us. She is that kind of a person. And since we came from the same constituency, the bond blossomed. But after she moved to her knew apartment outside Stockholm a distance started to germinate between me and her.

Not that either of us willed it but mostly because we both became entangled in the stressful life of Sweden. The jobs, the family, new friends, the distances, the seasons, all contribute to a full time occupation where only stiff sacrifices go to the most important or the closest, others come after. I don’t mean to state that that is how life is for everyone here, but it is for the most.

But the good thing about her is that she was still engaged and often updated her facebook often enough for all her friends to somewhat follow her steps as she moved ahead.

At most times, that was all I could do, follow her on the facebook. And she was one of the best at that. That is how I got to know how happy she was with the kids, what they did together or what funny babbling or speech went on.

This put lots of smiles on many faces. Although we did not always ‘like’ or ‘comment’ on her wall to encourage or cheer her on, many of us occasionally did, I believed that she knew these because the next day she would tell something new. Today we miss that. We miss it all.

One thing I love about the many things that God has given me is the right not to judge. That burden weighs not my back because I leave that to Him.

When one loves someone like we loved, love Nyambu, God blesses us with another wonderful strength. Accepting or/and understanding. Not the act, not the reason, not who did what, but that she is still one of us, and a God’s own.  There is no way I am perfect and neither are you. For these we must thank Him since it is where peace will ultimately come from.

Talking with Nyambu changed from a nervously careful talk to a nice chat and soon we were catching up. Asking questions and filling in. Severally, we would laugh at something that I would say to ease a sneaking malaise and it was nice to hear her laugh. I believe that she needs that.

Eventually we agreed that I should go for a visit which I did and seeing her though still painful, brought some more peace to my heart and I hope to hers as well.

Nyambu asked about people she knows, she told me about people who have been giving her moral support, calling, visiting. People like Beryl Otumba, Sister Anne Marie, Daniel Mwaura and others. She thanks this people and amazingly, she extended her thanks to all those who involved themselves, committee members or in whichever capacity.   

We agreed not to duel on the negative but to look ahead and concentrate on accepting what happened and healing.

I know that we all still want answers to some questions but due to the sensitivity (still) of the matter we’ll wait for the appropriate time when/if Nyambu might want that. I asked her if there is something she would like to say and she said “maombi tu”, pray for me. Let’s do that for know.

I believe that her beautiful boys are peacefully by His side, from where they watch over their mother. And so, I pray.

I asked if she would like me to write these and she did not hesitate in her answer, yes.

Important update! Good people i left out a very important detail but by mistake. I did not mean to leave out Nyambu's family out of her ongoings. Accordingly, they have been her biggest pillar. They have all, from her mother to her sister, the entire family in Kenya, and her relative Elisabeth here in Sweden. That is the WHO that mean the most to her in the current situation. Human is to error, I beg your kind understanding.

P Bryan Njoroge.