At birth, God gave many of us a wonderful treasure. It is close-knit and supportive. It is a possession that is beyond value because not everyone possesses it. This treasure is found in hugs and kisses but also in hugs and tears. This treasure is a loving family.
Many children in Kenya, do not experience this kind of family. They seem to only get the left-overs from their parents. Some of them watch their parents live fast-paced, demanding lives which require long hours of pressurize work just to get enough to make their budget. Some of them watch as their families falls apart as one of their parents contacts HIV/AIDS. Some of them live in homes of abuse resulting from alcohol or drug addiction. Some watch as their parents attend church on the weekend only to deny God all week with their actions.
Many children in Kenya, do not experience this kind of family. They seem to only get the left-overs from their parents. Some of them watch their parents live fast-paced, demanding lives which require long hours of pressurize work just to get enough to make their budget. Some of them watch as their families falls apart as one of their parents contacts HIV/AIDS. Some of them live in homes of abuse resulting from alcohol or drug addiction. Some watch as their parents attend church on the weekend only to deny God all week with their actions.
Our headmistress, Ms. Eve, meeting with her family of students.
The Hope Foundation's Valerye MacMillan High School started something special this year. We call it "Family Day". The whole student body has been divided into "families" each one wearing a different color t-shirt. On Family Day, students meet in their different "families" to discuss issues affecting them and how to tackle the issues using biblical approach. Our teachers become Mom and Dad to their family. They are there to be the kind of person who serves as a model of righteousness and integrity.
C.S. Lewis once wrote: "Men are mirrors, or 'carriers' of Christ to other men. Sometimes unconscious carriers." This is a true statement but Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "...be thou an example of the believers in word (speech), in conversation (conduct), in charity (love), in spirit, in faith, in purity." Then to Titus, Paul said, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness (righteousness), gravity (dignity), sincerity (integrity)" (Titus 2:7). We need to be a deliberate carrier of Christ because our words of Godly instruction will only seem true if we are willing to follow them and Christ fully.
Please pray for the leaders of the Hope Foundation Ministries that God would help us to know that our teaching may have some impact on people but the real impact comes from the lives we live in front of people.
I want to close with a prayer I read in the devotional "100 Days of Integrity for Men":
"Lord, make me a man who is a worthy example to my family and friends. And, let my words and my deeds serve as a testimony to the changes You have made in my life. Let me praise You, Father, by following in the footsteps of Your Son, and let others see Him through me. Amen."
C.S. Lewis once wrote: "Men are mirrors, or 'carriers' of Christ to other men. Sometimes unconscious carriers." This is a true statement but Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "...be thou an example of the believers in word (speech), in conversation (conduct), in charity (love), in spirit, in faith, in purity." Then to Titus, Paul said, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness (righteousness), gravity (dignity), sincerity (integrity)" (Titus 2:7). We need to be a deliberate carrier of Christ because our words of Godly instruction will only seem true if we are willing to follow them and Christ fully.
Please pray for the leaders of the Hope Foundation Ministries that God would help us to know that our teaching may have some impact on people but the real impact comes from the lives we live in front of people.
I want to close with a prayer I read in the devotional "100 Days of Integrity for Men":
"Lord, make me a man who is a worthy example to my family and friends. And, let my words and my deeds serve as a testimony to the changes You have made in my life. Let me praise You, Father, by following in the footsteps of Your Son, and let others see Him through me. Amen."
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