Her Version (I'll post His Version When He Comes)
It was my second journey to Kenya. I was in my last week there, staying with a special lady from church I had grown to love. Each week we went to choir rehearsal together but this particular week I was teaching the choir a song by William McDowell. As I sang I could feel this guy paying close attention to my words, "Wrap Me in Your Arms." Ha ha. Anyway I was singing to God but you know some songs could really go both ways. I can remember his compliments after rehearsal. I thanked him and thought nothing of it. I had known his roomate for a few weeks now. Esdor, made sure to introduce me to Aldo. The mama I was staying with thought it would be nice for me to invite a few friends over on my final night with her. I invited a few but the only to show was Esdor and guess who he brought along: Aldo. Aldo seemed to eat my every word. Mama asked, "Sandra, where do you want to live?" I quickly said, "Kenya." I heard Aldo whisper under his breath, "Halleluiah." Mama asked another question, "Sandra, how many children do you want?" I said, "As many as the Lord will bless me with." Aldo whispered even louder, "Halleluiah." We all looked at him and laughed. Then Mama told him to talk to me. He kept talking in his mother tongue even though he is fluent in English. Mama looked at me and said, "Sandra do you understand what he's saying?" I just laughed and nodded my head. Aldo was so engrossed in conversation with me that he failed to remember I was an American, not African. I can remember I didn't want the boys to leave but it was growing dark outside and they had no choice. I secretly wanted another opportunity to chat with Aldo.
The next day I went to stay with my pastors. That evening when others were off to bed I logged into my email account. It had been a week since I checked my email. I noticed an email from a dear friend. It read, "I just wanted to offer my condolences for your grandfather." I lost it. I called my mom and she confirmed that my grandfather had not only died but was already buried. I was so heart broken to not say goodbye. I cried myself to sleep that night and woke up with bags under my eyes. Baba made arrangements for their son to take me to Lake Victoria to get my mind off things. Little did I know that little trip to the Lake would lead to months of deep conversations with Aldo just as a friend, and before long marriage.
The next day I went to stay with my pastors. That evening when others were off to bed I logged into my email account. It had been a week since I checked my email. I noticed an email from a dear friend. It read, "I just wanted to offer my condolences for your grandfather." I lost it. I called my mom and she confirmed that my grandfather had not only died but was already buried. I was so heart broken to not say goodbye. I cried myself to sleep that night and woke up with bags under my eyes. Baba made arrangements for their son to take me to Lake Victoria to get my mind off things. Little did I know that little trip to the Lake would lead to months of deep conversations with Aldo just as a friend, and before long marriage.