Wait
. . .
Friday
Protect
me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
-- Psalm 16:1
by
Joe Peterson
Christ’s
Gift Academy in Mbita, Kenya is providing
refuge for many of God’s precious children.
The
exact ages of Alicent, Lavenda and Martin are not known
because their parents died while they were still young,
and the paperwork can’t be traced. The older sister,
Alicent, is in the second grade. At times she can be so
sweet and charming with the most beautiful smile in the
world, but then there are times where she won’t even
speak.
Her
younger sister, Lavenda, is in the first grade even though
she is about 10 years old. She is quiet, but seems happy.
But she has problems staying focused in class and really
struggles to keep up with the other students.
Martin,
the youngest, is also in first grade. Martin
is a joy to be around and seems to be constantly dirty.
He can come to school with a clean uniform and have it dirty
before the first class even begins. He is one of the oldest
ones in his class because he began school later than most,
but he still is one of the smallest.
The
school has been of great assistance in helping to keep these
children healthy and happy, but it is a struggle. They are
currently living with their elderly grandmother who abuses
alcohol. She is reluctant to take them to get medical treatment
when sick and will make them stay home from school if she
has to leave the house for some reason.
Earlier
this year, the school placed the children with another family.
During the two months they were living with this new family,
their attitudes and happiness increased ten-fold. Their
performance in school also increased greatly and they showed
much promise. But the grandmother decided she wanted them
back and forced them to come home. The school has made pleas
to the local chiefs and to children’s authorities
around town, but so far nothing has proved successful.
The
changes in the kids while staying in an
alternate home showed great hope that these kids have a
chance to have a quality education and a future, but the
downward slide since returning to their grandmother’s
house also shows the dire need that they be permanently
removed from her care. Please pray for these children.
Father
God, we believe that you want all your children to live
into the fullness of life, and we ask now that you watch
over Alicent, Lavenda, and Martin. Give wisdom to the
staff of Christ’s Gift Academy as they work with
these children’s grandmother. Help them and the
many other children in similar situations – in Kenya
and in the US – to find safety in your arms. Show
us how to extend our own arms to children who are in need.
Amen.
An Advent Journey