Nicolas was our night askari (guard) in Kenya. Tall, lanky, crooked
teeth, brilliant smile. His job, guard the house—from 5pm to 6am. He sat in a
tiny little shack, tiny, large enough to fit one chair. No light in the shack, but he still
devoured any reading material I gave him; newspapers, magazines, books.
I bought him once a solar lantern. It charged from the sun, and then when the power ran out, you can crank up the power with a handle. A few days later I noted that it was gone. When I asked him he explained that his home has no power, so he brought it there. Makes sense.
Another time I gave him an LL Bean blue zip bag with a little handle, the kind you put toiletries in when you travel. When I presented the bag, he was delighted, said it was perfect for carrying his bible. And so he did. I would see him walking off in the morning, after a long night in the shack, carrying his little satchel, containing his bible.
I bought him once a solar lantern. It charged from the sun, and then when the power ran out, you can crank up the power with a handle. A few days later I noted that it was gone. When I asked him he explained that his home has no power, so he brought it there. Makes sense.
Another time I gave him an LL Bean blue zip bag with a little handle, the kind you put toiletries in when you travel. When I presented the bag, he was delighted, said it was perfect for carrying his bible. And so he did. I would see him walking off in the morning, after a long night in the shack, carrying his little satchel, containing his bible.
Every evening I would bring him tea in a thermos. We’d check in. How’s
the day? How’s the weather? When I asked how he was he would say ‘today, I have
seen nothing bad.’ Translation: I am well. It was such a great response that always
stopped me in my tracks. There it is. My day is fine. I have not seen anything
bad. I struggle for food, water, I work the night shift. But today, I have seen
nothing bad.
When I moved houses he was on leave; at home in Western Kenya. I did
not get to say farewell, which was probably for the best, I am not certain what Nicolas would have done if he saw me crying. I wrote him a message though telling him I was
leaving. He wrote back:
"Hi,may light shines wherever ur.I still in house I never go
home.your moving is my stress i'll now lost my friends.Pliz do not forget
me,Sodger Nicholas."
