From the first to the twenty first day of June, we had a
city evangelistic campaign at Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground, Kisumu City.
The first day of the children’s program was startling! Why?
Because 'glue' boys were the first to come. As the days go by, their number
increased. How? Because of the invitation of their fellow 'glue' boys. What is
more amazing is, though streets have become their homes, the boys were smart.
What do I mean? Think about this: those were boys who were sniffing glue, the
longest was more than ten years; yet, they were able to answer our questions
from the Bible – straight and bold!
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| First meeting with some of the street boys |
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| Charles (at my right) and Bryton (at Ate Maya's right) singing scripture songs with us and doing the actions |
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| Yacinta, a single lady, who committed to cook food for the street boys |
Because of addiction to glue, their stomachs are craving for something real - real food. That's why every meeting, the words that they kept saying were: “we’re
hungry!” We understood their need – not just spiritual food but physical food
as well. Accordingly, with the support of church members, food was being
provided for them every after lecture until the end of three weeks.
We thank God for the provision that filled their stomachs with what they have been deprived of. What a joy to feed the hungry and give drink to the thristy!
We are not only blessed by ministering to them but we are also enthused by their experiences; and this won't keep me from sharing it to you in this article. Here are some and be blessed as you read them.
An Angel from Heaven
Samuel, a boy who has found the street as his home for
eleven years, was the first one who really broke my heart when I knew about his
situation. He used to sleep in a ‘round about’ of the city with an old-sack (which
he had actually shown me); and it served as his mat and blanket at the same time.
He was a former Muslim but was already converted into Christianity. His yearning
was to see his family again in Mombasa and to be reunited with them. As he
prayed to God, we also kept him in our prayers.
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| Samuel holding his ticket and new mobile phone |
Friday, on the 6th of June, while waiting for us
in the venue where we are holding the children’s program, he was shivering because
it was already three days when he stopped sniffing the glue. Suddenly, an
American man, named Steven, saw him. As Samuel was telling the man how he first
came to the streets and the rest of his story, the man was moved. I believe it
was the Spirit of God working in the man’s heart to help Samuel. Then, he bought
him new shoes, new trousers, a new shirt, a new bag, a new mobile phone, and a
ticket to Mombasa. The man also invited him to his house and they ate together
there. Sounds as the story of the Good Samaritan – indeed, it is!
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| The all-new Samuel! |
On the 7th of June, Saturday, we missed someone who actively participates in the lesson and cleverly answers the questions. We wondered why
Samuel was absent. Then in the afternoon, he showed up – looking handsome and
tidy! He visited us that time to bid goodbye because he is going home - back to his family
the following day; and to tell us the story about how God helped him through an angel from heaven. We are filled with gratefulness to the Lord because He heard
our prayers; and so glad for Samuel for He heard his prayers too and granted
the desires of his heart.
Before he left, we can't help but hug this younger brother of ours. All of us we're so inspired about God's workings in his life. We may not able to witness him in joining the true church of God but he assured as that he was going to find an
Adventist church in Mombasa, as what we advised him. Now, Samuel is reunited
with his family and happy to be together with them. We thank God for His faithfulness
and goodness to Samuel.
Perseverance Is Rewarded
Willis is another boy who consistently attended the children’s
program. He is not a street kid but we saw in him how he is persevering in his
studies, though away from his family. Surely, even before the meeting starts,
he is already in the venue and studies his lessons in school. One time, I
wondered what he was doing. He was answering a questionnaire and it’s on the math
subject; and I Praise God for that short tutorial time with him. Willis’ persistence in finishing his studies is marked by him working in a hotel at
night to earn money for his tuition in school. He is not just another ordinary
boy – he is intelligent! He is the most active among the children in the
program. His dream is to become a preacher someday.
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| With an unswerving decision to accept Jesus and a purpose in heart to serve Him |
Determined and convicted to be in the fold, Willis was also the first one to decide on accepting Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord. After his baptism, a blessing from above came forth again – a financial support for him to go back to his hometown and continue his education there. As much as Willis is praising God, so do we – for making him an example and inspiration among his street children friends, for another opportunity to be with his family, and another chance to carry on his education and pursue his dream to be a preacher. Certainly, we trust God that he will be one. Doubtlessly, his testimony would be a great encouragement for and to all who would persevere as him.
From Street Life to a New Life in Jesus
Here is the story of the leader of the street boys. We call
him ‘Commander.’ He is also sniffing glue like the rest of them but what’s
interesting is what’s in his brown leather bag that he always carries with him.
What’s in the bag? A radio. I also pondered why. His simple answer expressed in
his action was when he let me listen to what is being played – a Christian sermon. Yes, he listens to a
religious station! With an overwhelmed heart, I truly said Praise the Lord!
Commander’s real name is Steven and already has his own family. He
had been a really great help for us during the meetings because he was the one gathering his subordinates (should I say) – the other street boys, before the program starts. Though expected to lead the group, at times, we find him
more ‘high’ on glue than them. As the days went on, someway, we can’t see any
improvement in him. He still sniffs and still so untidy – no change at all!
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| Accepting Christ and burying the old self with a joyful heart |
Yet, our hope did not die out. We believe that Jesus and His Word can change lives –
even the life of this man who seemed unchangeable. Undeniably, God is a living
God who hears and answers prayers. This dirty man – inside and out, had been
cleansed by the waters of baptism. Before Steven decided to be baptized, he had
been freed from bondage to glue, with the help and by the grace of God. It was
then the beginning of his new life in Jesus.
Commander had wishes too – to go back to his family and own
a bicycle to make a living. Praises to the Lord again! Somebody pledge to donate
money for the acquisition of bicycle. However, the recent update that we’ve got
was...instead of it being invested on a bicycle, they decided to rehabilitate Steven first, to ensure that he would not go back to his old life anymore –
all the way through keeping and staying in a life with Jesus!
Bestfriend’s Blessings
Wilson is the best friend of Samuel. They spent time
together in the streets, they sniff glue together, and they share a common
dream – to go back to school.
When Samuel received his blessings from the Lord, we
heartened Wilson the more saying that the same could happen to him if he
continues to pray and have faith in God. We never failed to pray for him. We pleaded
God to save him from the hands of the enemy.
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| Accepting the Savior with a completely surrendered heart and life |
We were witnesses to Wilson’s transformation. We Praise God
for his decision to be baptized and start a new life in Jesus. Just like the
story of his best friend, God sent someone to help Wilson go back to school. He
was Thomas, a foreigner from Slovakia. The
man also bought him his personal and school needs; and paid his school fees to continue his secondary education.
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| Left to right: Ate Maya, Mama Mary, Willis, Pastor Ayayo, Thomas (the sponsor), and I |
It was a wonderful privilege to accompany Wilson during his first day in school. We helped him carry all his things through the head teacher's office. While walking, he told us that he wanted to be a pilot. Wow! He has a big dream! But with God, nothing is impossible. We are so delighted and looking forward for his success - so it will be easy for us to go to any mission field with him as our 'sky driver.'
More Planting and the Harvest
During the evangelistic campaign, we didn’t just stay in the
grounds. We also ministered to students in their schools. Since most of them can’t attend our meetings in the venue because of their classes, with the initiative of Pastor Ayayo, we
visited their learning institutions. We taught them Bible truths and gave out the take-home set of Discover Bible Study Guides. As a result, many of
them finished the lessons and graduated. In the end, we Praise God for the 65 students who received Jesus in their lives and joined the fold.
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| Combined efforts on a Sabbath day! |
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| Ate Maya teaching in one of the primary schools |
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| Teaching in the grounds |
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| Presentation of nine street boys to the congregation after baptism {with Milton (the one wearing white shorts) and Willis} |
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| With the 65 newly-baptized students |
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With the Children Working Committee Heads: Bro.
Edward (left-end),
Bro. Lamech (at his back), Mama Mary (center), and Pastor Ayayo (right-end)
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| Grateful for working, staying, and being with the new-found spiritual parents, Pastor Roselyne and Mr. Steven Ayayo |
"There is no greater
bliss on
this side of heaven than in winning souls to Christ. Joy fills the heart as the
workers realize that this great miracle could never have been wrought by human agencies, but only through the
One who loves souls ready to perish..."--Manuscript
36, 1901. {Ev 333.3}
Indeed, our hearts are filled with bliss because we have planted the seeds of truth by faith in the hearts of the children; and they were won to Christ. We have not done the miracle of transforming lives, as no one can, but God wrought before our very eyes His magnificent power of doing such especially in the lives of the street boys. They have almost lost their lives in the hands of the enemy but God redeemed them. With His great love, they will perish no more!
It is our plea that you help us in keeping the street boys, the students, and the other children in your prayers that the Spirit of God would continually be upon them - guiding their journey through the path that leads to the heavenly kingdom!
