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Kansas, Kenyan students show God’s love to street children in Nairobi

8/8/2007

By Sue Sprenkle

NAIROBI, Kenya (BP)--A Kansas college student steps gingerly through piles of trash on the streets of downtown Nairobi, Kenya. As she reaches down to shake a pile of rags and cardboard, out pops the head of 3-year-old Michael. He smiles and extends grubby arms to hug her.

Jessie Hock hugs Michael, a boy who knows life only on the street. She softly sings Jesus Loves Me in his ear and gives him a kiss, despite his overwhelming odor.

“You can’t really call this a job,” she said. “I mean, we get to hang out all day and talk about Jesus. I can’t think of a better way to spend a semester!”

Hock and Luke Ross from Fort Hays State University in Kansas and Keisha Brown from Kansas State University spent this past semester as short-term missionaries in Nairobi, along with Christian Challenge student ministry director Porfirio Ramirez from FHSU. They worked with a street kids’ ministry, an orphanage and with students from the University of Nairobi. Volunteer teams from various Kansas universities and colleges also have spent the past two summers working with Nairobi students to share the Gospel through door-to-door evangelism.

LESSONS LEARNED, LESSONS SHARED

It was 20 minutes after the meeting was supposed to start, but no one had shown up. The Kansas team rearranged chairs in the room, not worrying about the turnout. During the semester they’d learned that Kenyan students are rarely on time.

Finally, a rumble of footsteps signaled the entrance of 40 students. Hock greeted and hugged the female students as they came through the door. Brown stood quietly, smile shining bright, as students argued about whether she looked more like a Kikuyu, Kamba or Maasai, all different tribes of Kenya.

Third-year student Patroba Lisege spotted Luke Ross across the room, shouting a greeting to him. The two shook hands and then jokingly jabbed each other in the ribs like brothers. Lisege was a member of Ross’ small group Bible study. The Kansas team led weekly group meetings in dorm rooms to develop relationships.

“I can’t believe someone our age would give up an entire semester of school just to come and hang out with us,” Lisega said. “They love God and you [could] see it in their lives. I learned to share my faith by watching them share. I have something special that I need to share with others.”

Evelyne Gitau, a fourth-year student, loved hanging out with the Kansans because in the quest to learn more about her culture, they helped her deepen her faith.

“As they [learned] about us, I [realized] that I [was] growing a lot because I [was] finding out who I am and why I am that way,” Gitau said. “I [was] learning to rely more on God.”

In the early morning hours before the sun came up, the Kansas and Kenyan students fed street children, shared Bible stories and spent time with them, showing them that they have value in God’s eyes.

“It [was] so easy to love the street boys and to show them love,” Brown said. “This really convicted me that at home, it’s not always this easy to show love. I learned the importance of showing this love and what a difference it can make in someone’s life.”

FAITH LESSON OF BEANS AND RICE

The Kansas team worked shoulder to shoulder with Kenyan students as they reached beyond their campus and villages to touch people’s lives.

These students are held in high regard by their villages simply because they have the opportunity for an education, Ross explained. Many are even invited to village elder meetings, even though they are only in their early 20s.

“What these students learn while at university can shape the future of the entire nation,” Ross said.

One lesson in faith and compassion came through working with Christ the Academy school, a product of an orphanage in Githurai. A local pastor began the school for children of refugees. The university students made weekly visits to the school. One week they decided to take some bags of beans and rice.

When they arrived with the food, there was great rejoicing. Little did the students know, the school had wanted to offer lunches to their students but did not have food – so the pastor prayed and believed God would provide.

“We’d never taken food there before, but something just moved us to buy some rice and beans,” Ramirez recalled. “We had no idea of their need or prayers. It’s amazing how God provides and how He uses the same situation to teach us to listen to Him. This semester has taught all of us a lot about relying on God.”

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for two Congolese students the team met who are trying to get visas to stay in Kenya.
  • Pray that the students at the University of Nairobi will continue to deepen in their faith and in their resolve to share their faith with their campus and villages.
  • Pray for continued opportunities for both the Kansas and Kenyan students to grow in their walk with Christ.

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