This weekend, I have observed the impact that Marti's ministry is having on our children. It is really cool to see how God is working in the lives of our kids. Especially as He is using the simple but important things that Marti does.
As a teacher, Marti has a huge heart for education. There are 4 Kenyan boys that she assists in various ways. One guy is a 20 year old who is trying to finish high school. He goes on Saturdays for extra tutoring. Marti helps out by "hiring" him to do some small tasks each week. This works to encourage the young man to take pride in earning his way through school. She also helps two other boys by making a lunch for them everyday so that they can use their limited funds to pay school fees. And, yet another boy is getting some funding to help with tutoring for his 8th grade exams - if he scores well enough he may qualify for full tuition for high school at one of the best schools in the country. And so, with small, simple, practical ways Marti is meeting the needs of the "weak and orphaned."
What is really exciting is to see how the kids are involved. Sam in particular has a big heart for these guys. Today, one of the kids came by 45 minutes early for church (we take him with us on Sundays). Since he lives around the corner, I told Sam to have him return. But Sam said, "I want him to come and rest. Can we give him some bread and milk too Daddy?" He was right to invite the boy in.
In a similar way, Sarah wanted to know if I had fed the 20 year old yesterday when he came by to use our guest room as a study room (he lives in a one room house with an alcoholic dad and can't study at home). I of course had not even thought about it, but was glad for the reminder. But more importantly, I was glad to see the kids really active in meeting these needs. They weren't needing a big "outreach" event to meet needs - they were just acting on the needs that presented themselves in our driveway. And so, the impact of Marti's ministry may go beyond a "feeding program" or "school scholarships" - it will be in the way that our children see the needs around them and respond to them.
It's really awesome to hear about the simple yet meaningful ministries and you and your family are engaged in. Is this 8th-grader who I think he is?
Posted by: Matthew Loftus | September 25, 2006 at 12:23 PM
I can only imagine how much of a blessing it is to see your children grow in Christ's love. I am praying about returning to Kenya next summer, as it is my last summer before I graduate from nursing school. Are you guys planning on being in Kenya or stateside?
Posted by: Emily Gullatt | September 26, 2006 at 06:18 AM