“A Good Samaritan”

A few weeks ago, we had been hosting a GSE (Group Study Exchange) Rotary team from Boulder, CO.  They were passing through Kisumu and only spent one night with us.  At the end of the day, we had stopped as a group along the main road near the souvenir kiosks.  As Patty and I were waiting for the team to make a few purchases of soapstone and wood carvings, we noticed a young street boy approaching us.  While this itself is not unusual, this boy stood out because of his condition.  Obviously malnourished, his skin was discolored and almost scaly.  His eyes were distant and sunken and he was clutching a few pieces of bread very tightly.  There was an innocence about him that made us notice him. 

It would have been very easy to look at him, pass by and be on our way.  After all, we had an obligation to make sure this American team didn’t miss their flight and time was short.  But something inside us said: this boy needs help and right now. 

Through a national man who noticed our concern for this boy, we learned his name was Ambrose and he came from Obunga, a poor section of Kisumu.  He told the man he was eight years old although he looked and acted more like five.

After a few quick cell phone calls, we arranged for Lebaus to meet us at the hospital.  Patty would stay with Ambrose while he was checked out and I took the team to the hospital.  One touching moment came as the man translating for us told us that little Ambrose would only go to the hospital with us if we promised he would not be given a shot by the doctor. (Children’s fears are the same world over)

The team observing this interaction seemed a little numbed by the experience.  During their three weeks in East Africa, they had seen many scenes of poverty, but now they were involved in doing something about it. They were emotionally moved by Ambrose plight and “took pity on him.”  But these Good Samaritans had a plane to catch and made us promise to tell them how this situation turned out.

Dr. Paul at Jalaram Hospital told us that Ambrose suffered from repeated bouts with malaria in the past, worms, iron deficiency and lack of protein.  He prescribed three medications to start him on a road to recovery.  (Side note:  Since Jalaram Hospital was one of the recipients of medical equipment from Keckler Medical in Modesto, CA, Ambrose treatment was extended to us free of charge) 

Ambrose discovered many more friends as soon as he entered the gates of Agape.  One boy in particular, Nelson, took Ambrose under his wing.  He took him for a shower, gave him clean clothes to wear and made sure he bathed with medication to remove lice or fleas. Suddenly Ambrose discovered a neighborhood of Good Samaritans.

The next day, Patty, Lebaus and I went walking through the muddy streets of Obunga looking for Ambrose home. Even before we left, Ambrose grew fearful and hesitant.  Later we learned he was fearful he would be returned to his father, who had beaten him repeatedly.   After a lengthy discussion with his two step mothers, it was learned that Ambrose mother had died when he was very young.  He was raised in a home and then sent to these women when he was only three.  Neither of these women showed any concern for Ambrose welfare.  They neither greeted him nor made any eye contact with him.

Two wazungu (white people) walking through the slums attracts quite a crowd of people.  At the door of Ambrose home, many children gathered to listen to the conversation in Luo between Lebaus and the step moms.  At one point Lebaus turned to the children listening and told them in Luo that if they are ever beaten by their parents, they should go to the chief to report the incident. 

Since the father was not home (a confrontation I was not greatly anticipating) we left word for the father to report either to the children’s department in town or to Agape to resolve the issue of his son.  To date, he has not come nor made any inquiries about Ambrose.  Sad!

Ambrose has found a home at Agape.  Each morning he comes to our office and Patty gives him his medicines.  He has finished most of them and now is only receiving his protein and iron supplements.  His innocent way has been quite entertaining for us all.  At the end of each day, he never fails to come to our vehicle to say in perfect English: “Mama, Baba, see you tomorrow.”

Just a few days ago we learned that Kimra Perkins (the leader of the GSE team) has decided to sponsor Ambrose.  (“He took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” 10:35)

God bless

Dan and Patty

News and Notes:

1. The recording team from Living Water in Elk Grove has just left Agape after a week of recording at a local church.  I’ll relate their story next week.  Paul Bahn of Media 7 Ministries also was here for  several days shooting video for a music video.

2. In observance of his 10 years of service, our Project Manager Lebaus Onyango and his wife Irene spent a week on the coast in Mombassa compliments of founder Darla Calhoun.

3. During the break, our boys have been in a competition in various sports with a local primary school at Christ Church.

4.  Patty and I spent a day in the Kakamega rainforest at Rondo Retreat a few weeks ago.  Those who come to visit might want to consider this side trip in the future.  The grounds are tranquil and are in the middle of the rainforest where 330 different species of birds live along with colobus monkeys.

5.  The older boys spent the day yesterday in a seminar on NIV/AIDS.  From my brief observation, I noted that some of the material being shared came from the new manual on HIV produced by Medical Ambassadors International. 

6.  The Sacramento Kings sent along 110 shirts for our boys when it was discovered that a number of them follow this team.  Video was shot of them receiving the shirts and watching the Kings/Lakers game from Easter Sunday brought by the Living Water team.  Don’t be surprised to see a video of the Agape boys wearing Kings shirts on the big screen at a Kings game next season.

7.  Moses Mihesu, one of our guards has just been named “Servant of the Month”  This is a new program of incentive and recognition for Christian service we have just implemented.

Prayer List

1.  Praise God for the ministry of Agape that can be a Good Samaritan to boys like Ambrose.

2.  Pray for each of our supporters who, like the Good Samaritan, use their financial resources to care for those in need.  Pray that God blesses them.

3. Pray for Tom and Marg Tucker (administrators at our Vocational Training Center) who are in Canada presently and will return to Agape in mid May.

4. Praise God for the Recording team’s work while they were here.  Pray God brings them safely to their families in Elk Grove and Modesto.

5. Pray for our boys from the farm who will be returning to school there next week.  Pray for a safe journey and renewed zeal in their studies.  Pray also for our school which will begin the second term in about 10 days.