Honoring life.

*Actually written by Allison Tarus, Program Development Coordinator

“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

As I recently joined the Living Room (LR) team to offer Christ’s love to the sick, in deed and in truth, I did not expect that my family would be among the families receiving the love and care that LR so freely gives. In early May, my husband’s brother, Nashon Kimutai (54 years), was diagnosed with late stage cancer. After spending four nights in the hospital, frustrated by the lack of care and information about his prognosis, the doctor was finally straight forward with us and said, “Kimutai has cancer throughout his body. I recommend hospice.” With this difficult news, we were comforted that there was a place for him at Living Room. Thus, we released him from the hospital and took him straight to the warmth of LR. Upon his arrival, the LR team quickly began caring for him. They tenderly cared for Kimutai, day and night, for one week. They tried different interventions to reduce the intense pain in his body and continual vomiting. They also assisted him to sleep as he had not slept for one week. Overall, they did their best to make him feel as comfortable as possible.

While caring for Kimutai, they also cared for all of us—his family. Juli thoroughly explained what was happening in Kimutai’s body and what we could expect in the future; and she answered all of our questions. His immediate and extended family members and friends were allowed to visit him, and there were many who came to love and pray for Kimutai.

On a rainy Saturday evening, responding to an urge in my heart, I called my husband David and asked him to come and share Jesus with Kimutai. He came; and because I was too emotional, I left the room in tears. However, I could hear David sharing the Good News with his brother, and I had composed myself enough to join them again as Kimutai prayed to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. What a gift at LR…that we do not only care for people’s physical needs but also for their spiritual needs. The greatest gift Kimutai received at LR was Jesus, and he received His love through the LR team until his last breath.

Juli had informed us that Kimutai did not have much longer to live on this earth. As David and I were preparing for a journey in the early morning of May 19, Juli called to tell us that Kimutai had passed away. Rashid, LR caregiver, was with him in the morning. Kimutai wanted to wash his face, which Rashid helped him to do; then he told Rashid he wanted to sleep. He closed his eyes and slept—in peace with no more pain.

Our family is so grateful to God for a ministry such as Living Room. We truly experienced LR’s vision in action. Kimutai was embraced into a community of compassion—his life was honored—and he was offered the hope found in Christ.