Hope Road

You have probably heard about all of the fighting and unrest going on in Kenya right now. This story puts a personal face on it. Blogger “Prodigal Jon” posted today about an orphanage co-founded by his uncle, on an island in Lake Victoria. There are threats being made against it, and it may be under attack soon. This letter is from the director of the orphanage:

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Thanks to you and to all our fellow-servants who are in USA for lifting us and our bleeding country to the Lord. After receiving perhaps the most direct and serious threats from the mainlands, to the effect that we the only operating school in our region, I decided to call off my trip to Nairobi by the MAF plane which was coming to pick me. I called all staff and told them about the threats of those who were demanding that we close down or be burnt. I then gave each one room to say what in their view we needed to do and only two people were in favor of closure, with everyone else feeling strongly that we cannot release the children to all the dangers awaiting them outside of the orphanage. We will stay with the children.

Deep inside I am reminded once more that this place is the true home many of these precious jewels of the Lord have. I asked myself, ‘Should I send them out there in the wild, or should I continue God’s work even when it is risky?’ I chose the latter and all I ask for is not sympathy but prayer that God would put his arms around these tender lives. This evening our plea to be allowed to continue serving the orphans for the sake of Christ was aired on the radio. Mention was made of us by name that we should be spared the ordeals going on throughout our country by now.

Tonight the men will be working as guards of children, women and property as a response to the night attacks. We have no weapons but wholly rely on the Lord and the guarding angels of light. May the Lord bless and keep you. ________________________________________________________

I’m sharing this so that we can have a chance to pray for these helpless children and those who are defending them, as well as those whose hearts are hard enough to want to attack them. The letter really touched my heart - from the hope “that God would put His arms around these tender lives” to “our plea to be allowed to continue serving the orphans for the sake of Christ.” This is true courage, truly putting belief into action. Pray for our brothers and sisters, the children they protect, and their enemies, in Kenya.

“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation.” (Ps. 68:5)

Filed under: Christianity on January 30th, 2008