Life Through Light
Each month of
ministry proves how amazing the love of the father is for his children. This
month has been one of amazing triumphs, trials, and victories. In the last blog
I mentioned the Shelter of United Love had 13 children who returned off the
streets and in the follow up program since the ministry started this past
summer. Up to this point in December there are now 21 children off the streets
and enrolled in the follow up program.
The
more these kids can trust, the more they can receive love. The more they can
receive love the more they can receive God. In the book of John chapter one it
states, “In him was life and that life was the light of men”. God’s life is the
light that we shine. When thinking about that light we tend to refer to it as
love. Love is God and God is love. When we shine out the life of God into these
children they feel God because God is love. When you feel the light of the Lord
it shines out the darkness, it breaks chains, it destroys walls, and it
restores freedom.
In
a place like Kenya, Africa the child care system that does exist needs a lot of
helping hands to aid it in accomplishing its goals. There has been a very
strong bond built between the Shelter of United Love and the Children’s
Department in Busia Kenya, because we are both working towards the same goal of
improving the overall welfare of children in the county. Working alongside them
has been so great for us when it comes to dealing with problems we really do
not have legal authority over. For example if a child’s parents reject him and
kick him out on the street we now can inform the Children’s Department and they
can resolve the problem. It is such a blessing.
In
terms of legitimacy and organization we have improved substantially. We have
learned what it is going to take if this is going to be a successful ministry,
and that is being good stewards of what we are blessed with. 21 children is an
extremely amazing victory but also an extremely great responsibility. It is our job to ensure every child taken home
is cared for, their needs met and their dreams accomplished. In order for this
to grow to life we had to form a database of all the children that we have
taken home. This database that we created includes a picture wall with photos
of all the children and when each was last checked on. It also includes what we
call safe return forms. These forms are lengthy forms that describe in detail
the history of the child, why he or she ended up on the street, and all the
basic information needed to insure the child is being well taken care of.
There
is a parable Jesus tells in the bible. In this parable he describes a story of
some servants who’s master left them with different sums of money. One of the
servants was granted with 5 coins and when the master returned the servant
showed him that he had made 5 more on top of the 5 he had been given. Another
servant was given 2 coins, when the master returned he found that this servant
had made 2 more. And then the last servant was given only 1 small coin. He went
and berried the coin so when the master returned and asked him what he had done
with the money he reached in his pocket and pulled out the same coin the master
had given him. The master grew angry
with the man and part of what he says is “Throw that worthless servant outside,
into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew
25:30.
The
reason I mention this story is because its referring to what we do with the
things we are given. If God gives us something, it is important that we take
what we are given and bring God glory through it. In this ministry we have been
blessed with a platform to speak to these children, a platform that not many
people get. It is important that we take advantage of that and make every
effort to bring glory to the father. We have also been blessed with material
things such as an office, house, motorcycle, and laptop and it is important
that we are faithful with those things. When we are faithful in the small
things we are given, it is easier to be responsible when we are blessed with
even bigger things.
After
six months my duration in Kenya has ended and I have returned back to the
United States. The six months in Busia were some of the best months of my life.
I feel the main reason God had me journey to Busia was to ensure that a chance
giving program existed for the street children living homeless lives there.
After realizing there was no program Cornel and I together formed what is now
the Shelter of United Love. Before leaving we had another dedicated man join
the crew in helping the children. Dan is now taking Cornel’s position as Cornel
takes mine; we are very excited for what the future holds. I will be in the
states raising support and returning to the school of social work at the
University of Alabama. If by this coming June we have land I will be returning
with a team in order to start the construction a home for these children.
Please keep the issue of land in your prayer as well as the work that continues
in Busia. I will ensure that pictures, blogs and updates are always posted
informing everyone on what our great God is doing. As always, please like our
facebook group (The Shelter of United Love) or join the group The Shelter of
United Love S.O.U.L Ministries.
Jesus is Awesome
Haden
