The Power to Change Lives
Martin
We squatted together in the shade on a sunny afternoon next to the soccer field at Fountain of Life Church/Home in Nairobi, Kenya. Martin is one of 48 former street boys cared for at FOL. I asked Martin about school and his favorite subject. Without hesitation he said math and that he wanted to be an engineer and build airplanes. I taught him the word “aeronautical” so he could tell others of his aspiration. I don’t know all of Martin’s story but I do know his life has been changed. As an orphan he lived without hope or a future. Today he has both as he grows in mind, body, and spirit cared for in a loving church family home believing in Christ, the life changer.
Joseph
As we entered the market for souvenir shopping Joseph was introduced to me. He invited me to his shop and as we walked he told me that he was rescued off the street and taken into the Fountain of Life home when he was 12 years old. He is now 20 and owns a small but growing shoe manufacturing business. He has four employees and tithes weekly to FOL from the income the business is producing. He plans to grow his business and told me he is fair and honest in all business dealings. Joseph is living testimony that Jesus has the power to change lives.
Francis
Throughout the morning we accompanied the FOL Home Based Care team as they made their home visits in the Matare slums to fragile families with HIV-AIDS positive parents and at risk children. Jacinda and Francis’s small metal home was to be our last stop. Jacinda greeted us with such joy and happiness that the entire team was immediately encouraged. We learned that her husband, Francis, is an alcoholic and at times abusive to Jacinda and their children. She asked us to pray for him. Our prayers completed we rose to depart and the doorway was suddenly darkened by the presence of a very large inebriated man……Francis was home. Speaking in slurred English and Swahili he wobbled into the small hut and was quickly given a seat. After awkward silence fueled by hesitancy to engage someone in his condition, the Holy Spirit prompted me to be bold. With Pastor Gideon translating Francis cried out in a loud voice that he was in bondage to alcohol and he was angry that God did not help him. I asked him if he wanted to place his trust in the one who had the power to change his life and he said, yes. After leading Francis in prayer to receive Christ as his Savior we said our goodbyes. Francis has a difficult road ahead, probably filled with starts and stops, but now he has hope in the life changing capability of a Lord and Savior.
Please join me in praise and prayer for Martin, Joseph, and Francis that Christ will continue the work he has begun in them……..and in all of us.
Until they all have homes,
Alan Hunt
Vice President Advocacy (ec)3
World Orphans :: ec3 :: each church, each child, each community
Cell (214) 636-3887
