Five years ago, while visiting Kenya, I sat down with the leaders of the school and they asked if I could help raise money to build permanent and classrooms. The budget for the project was $30,000. I told them that I didn’t have that kind of money and didn’t have contact with anyone that did have that kind of cash. But, I said, “You pray, and I will my best to raise funds. But, I can’t make any promises.”
I sent out an appeal letter, but my faith wasn’t very strong. One church member scolded me for such a little project, saying, "Remodeling my garage costs that much." He didn't, however, make a contribution. A few churches responded, my daughters said they would help, I took money out of our ministry funds and we were still $25,000 short.
The director of a foundation heard about the need and requested that I submit the project for their consideration. I have never raised money from a foundation and was surprised that they were interested (show’s my faith, doesn’t it?). Their grant to us was for $20,000 and when I wrote Pastor Paul Gichuki about God’s faithfulness, he wept.
In giving the dedication speech last month I told the crowd assembled that the credit for the new classrooms and dorm does not go to me but to those who prayed and believed God; second, to a generous funding organization whose focus is in helping worthy projects; third, and most importantly, to the Father who knows our needs, hears and answers prayers and grants blessings on those who trust in Him.
Seeing God’s hand at work is amazing. I am grateful to those who were sensitive to God’s leading, but this little project (which was huge for us, but pretty small in comparison to most building programs) is really a story of His blessings on a group Kenyan Christian leaders who prayed and trusted God to supply their needs. It’s a story that I need to visit often when my faith is weak and my little mole hills look like mountains.
