So week one of ministry is officially over, and boy are we fully immersed in God’s work now! Things have been amazing, and I wanted to share some of my experiences with you. For this blog I will focus on the boys of the detention center.
The the detention center is a center for street boys. These boys are picked up off of the streets, from various backgrounds, and are brought to this “center” to wait. I want to tell you some of their stories. Their stories need to be told!
Calvin:
Calvin comes from an abusive home. His stepfather beat him, and he ran away. He was caught on the streets by the city council and brought to the detention center. He tells us that the food there is bad, maze flour and beans almost ever day. He tells us that sometimes they don’t eat at all. Those that watch him, the soldiers and the social workers, can be good or bad. It is hit or miss with them. Some of them beat them, others are kind.
Calvin, ran away Tuesday. After we had met with the boys, him and four others found a way out and ran. Friday we watched the rest of the boys with careful eyes. We don’t want to lose any more. We don’t want to lose the oppurtunity to work with them.
Banton:
Banton ran away from home not long ago and was caught on the streets sniffing glue. He was brought to the detention center and has only been there a month. When he talks to our translator about his past, the sadness in his eyes breaks my heart. He wants to see his mother again. He misses home.
Ian:
Ian is a new boy to the detention center. He has been their a little over a week. His mother brought him to Nairobi, and as they were walking around, she says to him: “Stay here, I will be right back.” She never came back. Ian is just 8 years old.
He has had some schooling, but doesn’t know basic math facts, his ABC’s, or much English. We wanted to do some evaluating of his and the rest of the boys educational background, so I tested him on some basic skills. You should have seen the joy in his face when I gave him a big thumbs up and a high five for his correct answer to 1 + 1.
These boys miss home. These boys want to go to school badly. These boys need love more then anything else. We are going to start a tutoring program in the center, and we are so excited to begin. The thought of bringing an education to them brings both them and our team the greatest amounts of joy.
Pray for God’s Boys! They need his love and encouragement. It will be the only love that will sustain them while we are here and once we are gone.
Kellianne,
I am so proud of you! The boys are so lucky to have you and your friends there to educate and love them! You are all in our thoughts and prayers! Thank you !
Thank you for the updates. I take all prayer requests to Glenn and Brenda from church. Painted pictures with words really help to know what is going on and how things are going.
It’s encouraging to hear of you guys pouring into these boys. You are right, the thing they need the most is the love of the Father. You guys are walking that out. Enjoy pouring into them. We’re praying for you guys and know that God is working in your midst to reveal more of Himself.
Kasandra,
Just found out how to communicate with you. Sounds like the boys really need what you and the others have to offer. Knowing you as I do you will make a big difference in the lives of all you touch. You and the boys will be in my prayers. Looking forward to reading more as you write.