A MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE

I brought the metal cup of tea up to my lips. The liquid was warm and smokey - and very delicious. As I savored the sip, I also recognized something starkly different about the drink that I had been served. There was no sugar. And I realized that our hosts were living in such conditions where sugar was an impossible luxury.

Our small group was visiting the home of a girl named Lucy. Lucy is a sweet young lady who just graduated from 7th grade and has started her Form 1 schooling (high school equivalent). She is from the Maasai tribe of Tanzania, a regal and proud community which has maintained a number of distinctive cultural traditions to this day. Many Maasai men still carry walking sticks and many in the tribe continue a pastoralist lifestyle and tend to goats and cows. They are also known for a number of unique dances (including one where the men perform high leaps), they continue to practice initiation ceremonies, and tribe is especially known for brightly colored checkered fabrics named Shukas. 

Lucy’s family lives high up in the foothills of Mount Meru, a towering mountain in Northern Tanzania which peaks out close to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) tall.

In addition to the typical challenges of living in poverty, Lucy also has another huge challenge in her life. She was born with albinism.

Albinism is a fairly rare genetic condition worldwide where people are born with low melanin in their skin and have skin and hair that is lighter in color. Tanzania has some of the highest rates of albinism in the world, about 1 in 1400 are born with the condition.

Unfortunately, many people in Tanzania entertain superstitions about albinism, and those with the condition are often mistreated, bullied, discriminated against, and at times are killed at birth or their body parts are used in twisted spiritual rituals. 

The government and many local leaders have been hard at work to reduce these superstitions and myths and are on a mission to protect those born with the genetic condition. But the risks are still incredibly high for this population.

Lucy’s life was transformed by a local leader named Martha Mganga. Martha was also born with albinism and has faced every type of danger and mistreatment but now is on a personal mission to protect those born with albinism in Tanzania and to share the Good News and hope of Jesus with these special individuals. She’s making huge progress across the nation.

Martha has set up an arrangement where Lucy is able to attend a boarding school in safety and peace. Lahash International provides sponsorship money each month so that Martha and her team are able to provide holistic care (counseling, support, shoes, clothes, a loving Christian community, and an excellent education) to Lucy and a number of other kids. Currently, Lahash and Martha Mganga provide support to over 100 kids born with albinism.

I first met Lucy back in 2021 when she was giving her testimony in front of a group in Arusha, Tanzania. I could see a fierce courage in her eyes, an incredible hope, and strong leadership qualities. When I found out that she hadn’t been sponsored yet, our family decided that we would be Lucy’s sponsor! It’s been a great honor being a part of Lucy’s life.

In late July, I was able to finally visit Lucy’s home for the first time and learn more about her family and home life.

In order to make it to Lucy’s home, we drove for a couple hours up washed out and bumpy roads and wove our way down dusty cow trails to finally arrive at a spectacular hillside homestead with the beautiful Mt. Meru looming over us. 

Lucy’s home is made in the traditional Maasai style, using natural resources of branches, grass, and a mixture of mud and cow manure. The community also embeds various elements (like glass) into the walls or adds ornate textures to the surfaces. Lucy’s mom is so good at this craft that she earns extra income by helping neighbors with their homes. I was in awe at the artistry and creativity evident in these unique homes.

We were welcomed onto Lucy’s family property with huge hugs and smiles. The family then brought us into their largest dwelling - a multi-room building where up to 20 sleep each night in addition to some of the livestock. 

Lucy and her family are followers of Jesus, so we were able to experience passionate prayers and heartfelt songs during our time together. 

I am profoundly encouraged when I meet with people who come from harsh and traumatic backgrounds and then get a chance to see them live full lives of joy, gratitude, resourcefulness, and faith. Seeing Lucy’s hope for life and hope in Jesus was deeply inspiring. Here on this mountaintop I was able to gain sweet new perspective and encouragement from Lucy and her family. 

I finished off the delicious tea (made from milk from the cows right outside!) and we prayed over Lucy’s family and received a prayer of blessing from her family as well. Lucy's mom also gave me a Maasai Shuka blanket in appreciation for the visit. 

Our family is so grateful to be a part of Lucy’s life, and we can’t wait to see the heights she’ll achieve as she diligently studies and continues to be mentored and cared for by Martha Mganga, our Lahash ministry family, and her Maasai community on the slopes of Mt. Meru!

If you’d like to sponsor a child born with albinism, we currently have over two dozen kids in need of a sponsor today! You can be a part of the eternal impact in these kids’ lives by starting a sponsorship today at Lahash.org/Sponsorship