A few weeks ago, I stopped by the Akiba School table that was set up at our church after the 9 am service. Many years ago, I had spent one day at Akiba School in Nairobi, Kenya, and I wanted to renew my acquaintance.
Akiba was founded to educate the poorest children in Kangemi, a massive informal settlement in Nairobi.
When I appeared at the table, one photo of a student grabbed my attention. It showed Precious Gift, a seven-year-old girl. She is in second grade, likes pink and wants to be a doctor to help people, like her mother, who is paralyzed from a road accident.
That was enough for me. I took the photo and agreed to support this beautiful child.
All week, every morning, I prayed for Precious. I gazed into her eyes and prayed hope for her. By the end of the week, hope had become a more prominent theme in my own life. When we pray and hope for others, we are also given a gift. In spite of the turmoil of these times, I experienced hope because of Precious Gift. She continues to be a gift to me.
-Joyce McCarten