Armstrong.

I met Armstrong one of our first days here in Kenya, and we
immediately became friends. I knew right away that he would become like a
brother to me and that he would be someone that I want to spend time with and
pour into this month. However, we found out that he would be leaving to go back
to boarding school only a few days after we arrived. I was excited for him as
he knows how important his education is, but sad that I wouldn’t be able to
spend much more time with him.

Last Monday was a holiday, and he was scheduled to leave on
Tuesday to go back to school. He left as planned, but then as I was outside
last Friday morning walking to the school to teach, he came strolling
around the corner. I was so happy to see him, but I also knew that meant
something had gone wrong at school. Come to find out, his school fees had not
been paid so he was sent home. School is very different here in Africa. From
what I understand, you can pretty much work at your own pace. You can be sent
home at any time if your fees haven’t been paid and can come back whenever you
have the money. It makes no sense to me, but I guess it works…

It’s now been a week since Armstrong was sent home and I
have been able to spend time with him every day–playing volleyball, walking
around town, visiting homes, and just talking about life. The other day, we
were sitting in the Cyber Café and he found a picture in my Bible of me in Honduras
with Fernando sitting on my lap, his arm around my neck. That’s when Armstrong
told me he has never known the love of a mother. All he knows of his mom is
that she died in a fire when he was born. He was miraculously rescued by a man
named Armstrong, which is how he got his name. He had tears in his eyes as he
told me that he misses his mom so much, but she is millions of miles away in
Heaven. I cannot even begin to imagine how he feels–how sweet it will be for
him to meet her someday in Heaven!

Armstrong lives with his dad, stepmom, and 3 younger
siblings. As we were talking on Sunday after church, he told me that he doesn’t
have a good relationship with his stepmom. She doesn’t treat him like her own
child, and she is abusive. She is not a Christian, and it is difficult for
Armstrong to love and respect her as the Lord calls us to do. Please
join me in praying for reconciliation in their relationship…

Last Friday, I asked Armstrong what he wants to do when he
grows up and he told me he wants to be a pilot so he can rescue people from
dangerous situations. He has a huge heart for people. I have learned so much
from him and been so encouraged during our time together. He really loves the
Lord and is an incredible man of God. He is very knowledgeable about the Bible,
and can quote Scripture for any circumstance.

He told me he had a dream about our team last week. We were
driving in a van and passed him on the road. I was the only one who stopped and
got out to shake his hand. He said he woke up with his hand outstretched to
greet me 🙂
He told me he didn’t know what it meant, but I am very special to him. He
calls me his ngudu, which means “sister.� Armstrong is truly like a
brother to me–he asks me for advice about girls, protects me, teaches me, and
loves me. At church last Sunday, I sang (and danced!) with the Praise Band
during one of the services and every time I looked out into the congregation
and caught his eye, he would smile really big and give me a thumbs up! I could
feel his love and how proud he was of me.

[me & Armstrong]

This morning, Christy and I went over to visit Armstrong at
his house. His dad, Joel, immediately welcomed us in for tea and mandazis (mmm!!).
Joel is an incredible man of God, very involved in church. We sat and talked
and watched TV for a bit before he really began opening up to us about some
things concerning Armstrong’s schooling. He told us he had saved up all the
money for his son to go to school for the whole year, but a couple of months
ago one of his good friends was in a tight spot and asked Joel if he could
borrow some money, promising to pay him back before Armstrong went back to
school. Joel trusted his friend so he decided to help him out during this hard
time. A couple of months later, his friend has yet to pay back any of the
money, so Armstrong cannot return to school.

The school fees for one year are approximately 21,000 Kenyan
shillings, which is about $250 USD. As we were having tea and talking with
Joel, I was almost in tears hearing this story. He told us that his parents
didn’t have much of anything to offer him when he was growing up–he had to
fight for an education because he knew it was important. And now he wants to
provide a good education for Armstrong because he knows that an education will
give him more opportunities in life.

I am asking first and foremost for prayers–that the money
would come in so that Armstrong can go back to school and continue his
education. Also, if you would like to make a financial contribution to help get
him back in school, please send me an email at [email protected]. Please help
by partnering with me to send him back to school!