Kids Rescuing Kids in Kenya

When I spoke with missionary Melody Dearmon about our Kenya Night she was thrilled! But she wasn't surprised that the youth were being touched by God to help the babies in Kenya. She, in fact, had written an article for WGM's Call To Prayer publication about young people she had known whom God had also called to give. I asked her to send it to me, so here it is:

KIDS RESCUING KIDS IN KENYA


It's always been intriguing to me, to watch a child play with a baby. Children of all ages are easily amused by this smaller version of themselves, and seem complimented by the grasp of a tiny hand around their finger, now so big by comparison. Babies seem to bring out the best in children, but it's clear that babies need adults to care for them. Only adults can meet the needs of babies … right? Don't tell that to some of our supporters ! God has sent some pretty young boys and girls to us, and they might just make some of you adults sit up and take notice! They have certainly made an impression on us.



It's been a year since we came to Kenya, East Africa as career missionaries. After months of orientation and language study, we began the awesome task of building the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center, a home of love and security for babies orphaned or abandoned, as the result of disease and poverty. Like all WGM missionaries, we had to raise a considerable amount of cash and monthly support to get to the field. This was and is, no small undertaking, but has definitely been a faith builder. By the time we got to Kenya, we had a profound sense of the team of Christians back home who give sacrificially to make it possible for us to take the love of Christ to this part of His world.



To us, a big part of our support team has been some of it's smallest members. Have they been able to give large sums of money? No, their contributions have been proportionate to their size, but we know from scripture that with God, little is much. Somehow, we have felt very keenly that these pint-size contributions will have a tanker-size impact. We believe God honors the heart and efforts of child in a special way.


Want some examples? Our first elementary school-aged sponsors are themselves Missionary Kids, one of whom already supports his missionary aunt. But, when they heard about hurting babies without mommies and daddies, they wanted to help. Compared to the little allowance and spending money they had, their giving to help the babies in Kenya was huge.



Another girl, a pre-teener, mailed in two weeks allowance and a lovely letter written with great sensitivity to the things of the Lord. She was going to have her long hair cut soon, to give to an organization that makes wigs for pediatric Chemo patients. She wished she could do more and thinks she might want to be a missionary herself someday.

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Want another one? How about the little girl whose heart was broken when she heard about the babies and children in Africa who needed a home? She asked her mother how she could raise money to help, and we thank God for this parent who found time to encourage and help her daughter follow the Lord's leading. She recently sent in $137 from the proceeds of a garage sale, stocked with donations she had solicited from others in her community who wanted to help.



At our own church in Savannah, Georgia, the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, many children (and some adults too!) made wonderful cards and wrote letters of encouragement to us, to let two missionaries far from home know that we are loved and appreciated.



God is building a giving ethic in these young hearts that should inspire and challenge those of us much older. My husband and I have certainly been encouraged in our own walk of faith by these children and young people who are definitely doing their part as kids rescuing kids in Kenya!!