The Day Rosie Saw

Not far from the church, they saw a very small shop. An elderly woman named Rosie sat inside. She was selling eggs, bananas, and a few vegetables. The guide greeted Rosie and introduced everyone. There was a small bench beside the stall that Elliot pulled closer so they could sit eye to eye. One of the guides stood near them and translated into Swahili. 

Elliot asked Rosie a few simple questions. She had heard the name of Jesus, but she did not know much about Him. So, Elliot began where he always begins—at Genesis. He explained that God made the world and made people to know Him. He explained that God is Holy and good, and that people have sinned and turned away from Him. Then he told her about Jesus. Jesus came to save people from sin, and He died on the cross and rose again so we could have new life with God. 

Elliot took his time so that Cassey and Shana could learn as they watched and listened. 

As he spoke, Rosie leaned in. She held Elliot’s gaze and listened closely. 

When Elliot finished, he asked if he could pray with her. Rosie took his hand, and there in the small shop, they prayed the prayer of salvation. Rosie kept looking at Elliot and nodding. She understood. 

Then Rosie reached for a tiny New Testament. It was the smallest one Elliot had ever seen. It had been soaked in water at some point. The pages were wrinkled, and the ink had run. She tried to read it, but the words were hard to see. 

Elliot took out a Hope magazine in Swahili and opened it to the gospel of John. Rosie still could not read it—her eyesight was too poor. 

Elliot remembered the reading glasses in his bag. He handed them to her. “Try these,” he said. 

Rosie put on the glasses and looked down at the page. A big smile crossed her face. She began to read God’s Word in Swahili—slow and steady, but clear. Joy filled the little shop, and Elliot told her to keep the glasses. He had a spare pair. Rosie smiled again, even wider. 

This was the second time Elliot had seen something like this. A simple pair of readers had opened a door to the Bible. His advice to others was simple: always carry a spare pair of reading glasses. Sooner or later, God will lead you to someone who needs them. 

At their next stop, Cassey took the lead. She spoke clearly and gently. Shana stood beside her, ready to help. Cassey did a wonderful job. 

That day, the gospel reached Rosie’s heart, and two new messengers found their voice. 

Sometimes God’s Kingdom arrives with a loud sound. Sometimes it comes quietly—like a spare pair of reading glasses at just the right moment.

You could play off the line later in the piece that Elliot started at the beginning-Genesis-and connect that to the fact that this was Cassey and Shana's beginning. 

You could play off people "finding their voice" which is how the piece ends.

Alternatively, you could set the scene by teaching the reader something about Nairobi or Kenya and drawing the reader into the scene so they feel like they are there.