Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." Mark 4:30-32[caption id="attachment_1876" align="aligncenter" width="565"]
The Faces of Hope[/caption]At Kwa Watoto School classes end early on Fridays, but this particular Friday seemed to drag on for the students in Fourth Grade. As soon as the last bell rang, student Theuri sprang out of his seat and headed out of the classroom. There, to his delight, he ran into eduKenya Director, Bob Kikuyu. “Pastor Bob, we are having a harambee (fundraiser)!” Students at Kwa Watoto do not solicit money at school, so with some concern, Pastor Bob asked Theuri the reason for the harambee. “We are buying a sweater for Kevin!”Bob spoke to the Deputy Head Teacher, Miss Macharia, and heard a story that warmed his heart. Fourth Grade student Kevin had been coming to school without protection from the cool temperatures since the onset of Kenya’s winter in late June. His classmates, noticing that he appeared cold, approached him with concern. Kevin told them that he had lost his sweater and his parents could not afford to replace it. Led by Theuri, the students jumped into action and approached Miss Macharia with a plan and a request.The students detailed a grand idea to host a local fundraiser event in which Miss Macharia would be the Guest of Honor. Miss Macharia suggested that the fundraiser be a little less grand and stay within the walls of Kwa Watoto. In the end, each student in Fourth Grade donated 10 Kenya shillings (11 cents US) and each teacher gave 50 shillings (57 cents US). Well, not exactly the end: Theuri compelled Pastor Bob to donate (generously) to the cause![caption id="attachment_1877" align="alignleft" width="358"]
God's love at work through His beloved.[/caption]On his way home that afternoon, Bob noticed a group of students in front of a shop on the main street in Mathare. One of the boys ran to him with a smile of triumph on his face. “We are buying Kevin’s sweater,” he burst out excitedly. As Bob approached, Kevin stood adorned in his new blue sweater, surrounded by proud and admiring classmates. Theuri stood at the shop window, counting out coins and notes. Also on the counter were bags of rice and maize flour, purchased for Kevin’s family with leftover funds.Bob’s heart swelled with gratitude to God for these children. He thought to himself, “This is the story of eduKenya in action. This is the transformational power of the Holy Spirit working its way in to and out of the lives of our children. This is the future of hope in Mathare.”