This is an essay I have asked Nicholas to write. I thought it would be interesting for you to hear about this work from a national’s perspective. Nicholas is a university graduate and has served at Agape for three years now. He is currently the sponsorship representative. Those who sponsor our boys through Mission of Mercy receive regular updates from the boys through Nicholas. Nicholas also supervises the schooling of our high school boys, sets goals for them, counsels them and when necessary even intercedes for them at the high school. He is a dedicated and mature Christian who views his place at Agape as a leading from the Lord. He is one of several at Agape who could be employed elsewhere in Kenya for much more money if he so desired. However Nicholas has expressed that the spiritual and heavenly rewards in which he is investing himself are of more value to him than monetary ones. I know you will be blessed by his writing. Nicholas and his wife Susan are expecting their first child any day now. - Dan Schmelzer

The face is that of a tough man hardened by the elements of nature, a reflection of a soul beaten by societal abuse, yet defiant. His eyes are bloodshot, half open upper eye lids succumbing to the effect of the glue bottle hanging from the upper lip. His lips are dry and cracked. The upper lip tapers at its middle in response to the weight of the intoxicant’s container. His scared face is spotted by a number of shiny scars, one of which is marked on its edges by a few stitches. These are considered ornaments of previous battles. The oily, dirty and dandruff scalp is like a fertile place for the irregular tufts of fading black hair on the vermin ridden head. From the boy’s shoulders hangs a dirty and sweaty T-shirt. No one can really make out what its original color was. Around the waist, a greasy and dirty Levi short jean is fasted by the use of dirt blackened sisal string. The irregular edges confirm that is was improvised to improve its survival. From the reverse you can’t avoid noticing the exposed lean flesh that is callused from exposure to unfavorable surfaces. His pockets bulge profusely with assorted paraphernalia, including weapons, containers of glue and other indescribable things. All this is for his survival—something that is the desire of all mankind.

A look at the feet will easily remind those with a bias for science of the class of animals called reptiles. However, the human and divine qualities of God in his appearance and the same ringing deep within your own soul cannot allow you to dare entertain this thought further. Instead, empathy and love overwhelm you. Soon you realize that the wall, initially responsible for the resentment and fear was only physical and begins to crumble. You now want to hug the boy as tears well up in your eyes.

That is a sketchy presentation of a street boy in the streets of Kisumu. They carry with them various titles that are supposed to depict the attitudes of the society towards these children. “Street urchins” is a favorite one for the print news media. “Chokora”, the Swahili for scavenger. “Ninja” for their toughness. Ironically, they love it in this city for it defines the most essential quality of survival: toughness and resilience.

There could be many more, defining various attributes associated with these little ones by the society. For the intention is to blame them and brand them. Does the community and Christianity understand why human kids are highly versatile and resilient? Maybe, maybe not. It is a confirmation of the fact that God has given every parent, and child caretaker a divine task to accomplish. God has placed clay into the hands of willing parents and individuals that He may instruct them on how to mold it. What role have you been playing? From the natural way of reproduction, from the social nature of human beings, we indisputably conclude that God involves us in the molding of the future generation. It is this understanding manifested in the hearts of the supporters of Agape Children’s Ministry and staff, that produces a people willing to work in the vineyard with the Lord.

What happens when a few people respond to the voice of God and turn away from all earthly pursuits in favor of ministry? Depending on where the Lord is directing, the end result is an investment in the heavenly bank. When it is in the area of working with street boys, then you cannot make a better deposit. A transformation of a community, a restoration of self worth and hope in some highly potential group of human beings!!

The result is a reversal of the ugly features described in the beginning. When there is a response toward God in this work place, the bottle of intoxicant falls to the ground. The boy falls off the high of the drug and begins getting high in the Holy Spirit. The tough face softens, replaced by the baby face that he is. The lips heal. With the dirty hair gone, as well as the dirty and worn out apparel, it becomes difficult to believe that it was the same boy previously described. The little angelic beings that receive the working of the vineyard every morning fills one with such motivation to continue on and even go for more. Witnessing this kind of transformation in itself is a power to further a blessing to the community, a reason for living.

Regardless of whatever sacrifice has been made, or losses incurred on the workers side, a great zeal to work with God is developed. The wounds received in the course of duty, just like the scars on the boy’s faces, remain as reminders of the difference the Lord has made. The stitch marks shout out that the Lord has fixed it all.

What a power to witness God working when we say “YES” to joining Him in this vineyard!

Nicholas Kimatu

Prayer requests

• Pray for Susan and a safe delivery when he/she arrives

• Pray for our Form 1 boys who will enroll in high school this week. They have been waiting patiently for the Kenyan officials to go through the process of selecting schools for them.

• Pray for Eric who is still recovering in Jalaram Hospital from foot surgery last week

• Happy Birthday blessings on Patty who celebrates her birthday on Thursday

• Blessings on Jalaram Hosp. Kima Mission Hosp. and St. Luke’s Maternity who will begin admitting our boys for treatment free of charge in exchange for the medical equipment they received last September.

• Pray for Dennis and Steven whose mother passed away this passed week. The funeral is this coming Sat.