Since starting my assignment in Kenya, I have been working at Maun
Methodist Hospital and their outreach clinic. I visit disabled and orphaned children
to see their living and health conditions. It is a pity to know that their problems
cannot be fully addressed because of financial reasons. The hospital is doing its
best with limited resources, but does not have sufficient medicine to administer to
children whose living conditions make them vulnerable to many diseases.
 | Orphans in search of
water in an area outside Maun, Kenya.
Photo/GBGM
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As I visit the children, I smile and play with them and try to find words of
comfort and encouragement. I often feel inadequate, for there is desperate need of
food, clean water, shelter, clothing, education, crutches, wheel-chairs, and better
medical care.
The drought exacerbates the situation. There is no tap water. Children
who should be in school spend hours in search of water; mothers who should be
planting are also in constant search of water in this region where the creeks are
drying up. Because of the lack of food and other needs, children go to the street to
beg. Some young girls are turning to prostitution. These children must be helped.
Charity, a grandmother whom I recently visited, is caring for six orphans left by her
daughter. She is an elderly woman in poor health, who feels she has no choice but
to allow her grandchildren to go to the street and beg for their daily bread. She and
the children are temporarily living on someone's land in a five-by-six hut patched
with plastic and straw. Charity was put out of her home in town because she was
unable to pay rent.
 | Grandmother Charity stands
outside her makeshift home with Sarah, Missioner of Hope.
Photo/GBGM
|
Simply knowing that someone outside cares makes a difference in the
lives of these children. For there are smiles and laughter when I visit. The children
also share their sorrows. The story I hear most often is like that of a brilliant
disabled young boy, Moris Mwiti, who longs to attend school but is unable to pay
the fees.
The Maun Methodist Hospital and local church want to come up with a
recreational center. It would be a place where the children would be fed, have their
social and spiritual needs met, and receive minimal education. Children up to age 12 would be
served by this program. Currently, we serve 25 orphans, though there is estimated to be more
than 150 in Maun alone.
The hospital and local community express deep appreciation for the
"Missioners of Hope" program in this time when there are increased cases of
malnutrition and cholera among children. As an African, I thank God for this
ministry that has given me deeper understanding and the opportunity to be more
involved in responding to the suffering of my people.
 | Medical worker stands
outside the place where orphans live. Maun, Kenya.
Photo/GBGM
|
While life is difficult here, I know that God has blessed so many around
the world. And I believe that they will share their blessings with others such as the
disabled and orphaned children of Kenya. I am praying very hard that through Global
Ministries, Jesus is speaking to people to help me accomplish my mission. For with
Christ everything is possible—and this is the message of hope that I share with the
children in this season.
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Donations to assist with this ministry of Missioners of Hope can be
made to Advance #013010-6ZC 982450-8, earmarked for Maun Methodist
Hospital and placed in United Methodist collection plates or mailed to 475
Riverside Dr., Rm 1400, New York, NY 10115. Credit-card donations can be
made by calling (800) 554-8583
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November 27, 2000