If 100 people represented the World’s population, 53 of those would live on less than $2 a day. Which is more messed up- that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don’t think we have very much?
God wants our best, deserves our best, and demands our best.
His real name is Rajeb, but he goes by Henry.
I had the opportunity to meet Henry last month in Kitale, Kenya. He attended Gilgal High School, where one of our teams spent the month.
Henry is 18. His father died in 1998 and his mom in 2001. I believe he has 2 brothers and 1 sister, but after the death of their parents, they all went separate ways.
He ended up living with a family near Gilgal. He said he struggled a lot there. They were very lazy people and would make him do everything… including working all day without time to rest. When it came time for him to go back to school, they would not provide even the basic things he needed like shoe polish and books. He didn’t even have a sweater like the other students, and the area where they live in is very cold in this season. I wore a jacket most days we were there.
Since the family he was staying with does not treat him well, he has stopped going to stay with them. He stays at Gilgal Boarding School even for breaks. It has been 1 year and 7 months since he has left.
He is in Form 3 (a junior) currently and is the Head Boy at school which is the top leadership position for a boy there. The students each start their day at 4 AM and end every day at 10 PM. Even with that busy schedule, Henry has extra responsibility added on top.
He has made it through school this far because he met Bishop Ben and Christine. They are in charge of the ministry there and the school. They do their best to help him and other students who do not have money for school fees, but it is very hard for them. In fact, when the team first arrived there, Bishop’s children were starting school late because they did not have the money to pay their school fees.
Henry told me that he often prays for sponsors to get him through Form 4 (his last year in high school). Every time he would talk about finishing school, he would sound very doubtful. After so many years of having no one, he said it is hard to think someone will provide and he is extremely embarrassed to have to ask Bishop for help every year.
His dream is to finish Form 4 and then attend University to become a doctor (Most students in Kenya want to be doctors, pilots, teachers, or engineers). He wants to be a doctor so that he can make enough money to find his brothers and provide for them also (As far as he knows, none of them have been able to go to school).
Fast forward…
There is this thing that happens sometimes … I have been traveling the world… I have seen many people and kids in need… But, sometimes it will hit you differently.
On the bus, I was looking out the window at all of the young kids with no shoes, covered in dirt, carrying a bag to collect plastic bottles. Young kids who should not have to work like that.
I thought of Henry. I then started reflecting on some things that I had read in Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
(If you have not read this book, do it! It will wreck your world… in a GOOD way!)
"It is easy to fill ourselves with other things and then give God whatever is left.
God gets a scrap or 2 only because we feel guilty for giving Him nothing. A mumbled 3 minute prayer at the end of the day, when we are already half asleep. A couple crumpled-up dollar gills thrown as an afterthought into the church’s fund for the poor… Leftovers are not merely inadequate; from God’s point of view (and lest we forget, His is the only one who matters), they are evil. Let’s stop calling it “a busy schedule,” or “bills,” or “forgetfulness.” It’s evil. God is Holy. In heaven exists a Being who decides whether or not I take another breath. This Holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have!
The average Christian in the US spends 10 minutes a day with God; meanwhile, the average American spends over 4 hours a day watching TV. It is the same with our money… How much of your money is spent on yourself and how much is directed towards God’s Kingdom?"
This really spoke to me and made me think about my own life. God deserves so much more than that. Its easy for me to say that I don't watch TV and overlook that statement, but what else am I spending my time on that is taking away from God. And what about my money?
One of the saddest things about the world is the children who are not in school. The children who are not able to attend because of the lack of money for school fees. And to think how much the societies of places like Africa could change if children had the opportunity to get an education… and from there be able to get a good job… and from there be able to pay for their children’s school fees.
Just think of the generations that would be changed.
When I reflect back on my trip, I think of all of the money I have spent that has been on me. Sure, I have tried to bless others along the way. But truly, the majority has been on me.
I want to spend my money more for the Kingdom than myself. And that starts now…
I am not out rafting with my squad today because when I really think about it… I could spend the $110 dollars to raft the Nile for a day’s adventure… Or, I could start changing the way I spend my money and my life right now. And the cool thing… I am happy with my decision.
I have taken it upon myself to support Henry through school… and, that starts with the $110 I just saved by not rafting today.
When I talked to Bishop about it, this is what he said…
”Sure enough I highly recommend Henry to anybody who would love to help him. He is a hard working boy and he is an Orphan, but very dedicated to his studies. He really needs support for both High School and even college. We Love him and your support will be highly appreciated.”
I would like to ask for some help in sponsoring Henry through Form 4. If you have it on your heart to help me, please click on the “contact me” link at the top of this page. I don’t know where God will provide the rest of the $800 I need, but I know He will provide.
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. –Proverbs 22: 9
“The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account for my life.” – Daniel Webster
When that time comes, I do not want to stand before Him as one who lived my life selfishly. I want to stand before Him as one who sacrificed for His Kingdom and brought glory to Him through it all.
As Pastor Solomon in Mbarara, Uganda said… “I don’t want to leave this world just a decoration.”
