Story on Street Kids

Hey all -- follow this link to read a story about this Nairobi Street Kid ministry. It's on the Woman's Mission Union website.

Here's the link: http://www.mymissionfulfilled.com/index.asp?ContentID=358

Johnny

Imagine being on your own in a city of 3 million people.

You are alone, lost, hungry, cold, and probably afraid; after all you are only four-years-old.

This is the story of Johnny. A few weeks ago he was found by some of the girls who live on the streets of Nairobi. He was wandering alone, near a congested round-a-bout.

The girls took him to their "base" ( a street corner) where they tried to care for him until someone came for him. After a week, no one came.

Monday morning, when we came to minister to the kids on this particular corner, the girls brought Johnny to us. Finding it difficult to care for themselves and their own infants, they felt they could no longer care for an extra child.

They asked us to help find a home for him and that's how Johnny came to be at Huruma children's home.

He seems to be happy there with the other 200+ children. He is fed, clothed and cared for at the Home. But, it's not the same as having your own loving home!

Pray with us that, if possible, Johnny's family will find him and they will be reunited. If not, pray that he will feel secure and loved at Huruma children's home.

Pray for the 100s of children who, like Johnny, find themselves on the streets of Nairobi fending for themselves. Pray that they will find a home in Christ.

Prodigal Son Returns to Village

Mwangi nervously looked out the car window. The terrain became more familiar the closer he got to his home village in Kenya. He wasn’t sure if his family would welcome him back or not. But, he was willing to suffer the consequences.

Two years ago, Mwangi ran away from home. A friend convinced him they should hitch a ride to Nairobi and experience “city life.”

At first, it was a fun adventure. They slept on the ground or street, using cardboard as a blanket. They walked around downtown, wherever they wanted. No one told them what to do.
Then they got hungry, and the adventure went bad. They begged or stole to get money for food and showers. Some older boys taught them to sniff glue. It helped ease the hunger pains, but made them act like zombies. Soon, all of the money they could steal went for getting high on glue. So, they sifted through the trash searching for food scraps.

Mwangi heard he could get free milk and bread on one street corner. He went and liked it immediately. They told Bible stories. The stories reminded him of his family. Mwangi told the missionary he wanted to go home.

As the car pulled up to Mwangi’s village, a woman walked out holding a Bible. When she saw who was in the car, she raised her arms and screamed in celebration. Mwangi’s Mom rushed to the car to welcome her lost son.

For two years, Mwangi’s mother prayed for her son to return safely. Mwangi was embarrassed of his life as a street kid, but no one seemed to mind. They roasted the fattest goat and celebrated in his honor!

UBC: Boniface and the Street Kids of Nairobi (May 2007)

Watch this video a group of student volunteers from Baylor recorded. A team of 90 volunteers came to work in Kenya. One of their projects was working with the Colours of the Cross ministry. In this video you will see some of the street kids and hear Pastor Boniface's vision for the ministry.

Meet Pastor Boniface

A former street kid, Pastor Boniface has a heart for those living on the streets. His head knowledge, combined with his passion, provide the perfect background for ministering to the street kids along Sheikh Karume Road in downtown Nairobi.

Boniface dedicates his life to these kids. As the ministry grew from just a few boys, it began to take up more of his time. He left his post as a pastor of a small church to give his heart full time to the kids living on the street. He and his family survive on faith, just as he tries to teach the kids of Sheikh Karume Road to do. God continues to meet the needs of his family in miraculous ways.

Not only does he minister and share Bible stories on Wednesday and Friday mornings, but he spends the rest of the week visiting the kids - whether they are in the hospital or in jail. These visits are an important part of showing God's love and the kids' worth to Boniface as well as God. Often, people run from the street kids in fear and disgust. Most people in Nairobi call these children "chakora" or street trash.

Pray for Pastor Boniface as he reaches out to touch the street kids on their turf, showing them they are regular people in need of God's love.

Welcome to Colours of the Cross

This is a site to let you know what's going on with the ministry to Nairobi's Street kids. Join us in ministry through praying. Each month we will post a story about one of the children or youth with specific ways to pray for them.

Join us as this ministry takes off! Great things are happening because of your faithful prayers.