Ngila Needs Jesus

Ngila Needs Jesus

By Dawn Brown

“The primary responsibility of Christians is to the poor within the body of Christ, but the Bible also forbids us to neglect the poor outside of the church.”

~ Timothy J. Keller ~

  

 

Ngila is a widowed woman who receives help from Child Arise and she is not a Christian.  She is an example of how Elizabeth Mativo shows the love of Jesus to those outside of the church. 

On our 2012 Summer Trip to Kenya, we were told there is a big problem with men in the community and alcoholism.  They drink “illegal brew”, which contains strange and deadly ingredients, like battery acid.  It’s cheap and speeds up the fermentation process.  Ingestion has killed many young men.  Some begin to drink to dull the pain of being unable to provide for their families, even though they know it will kill them.  They become addicted.

Little did we know when we arrived in Kenya, we would go to a location where this “illegal brew” was made.  When visiting one of the widowed women, a widowed man told Elizabeth about a place where this was going on.  He told her about some small children there that needed her help and said he would take us.  He too, was addicted.

We followed him over the mountain trails until we came to the place.  There were men sitting all around.  Some of them had been classmates of Elizabeth’s son, Joseph, who was with us, but they looked much older, resulting from their drinking habits, we were told.

Some of the men we met at Ngila's.

Elizabeth was introduced to Ngila, an old woman.  There were several children in this environment; not only the alcoholics hanging out getting drunk, but horrible poverty. Elizabeth recognized two older children.  She told us they were a part of her Saturday Bible lesson and meal, but she didn’t know anything about the younger four.  We learned they were all orphaned and Ngila, a widow, cares for them.  They are her grandchildren.

Once Elizabeth found out about all six orphaned children in her care and saw the way they lived, she told us that the younger ones would be invited to the Saturday Bible lesson, where they would also get a meal.   She invited Ngila to join the women’s group.  The younger children started coming to the meal and lesson too.  Ngila’s orphaned grandchildren benefit from your donations to Child Arise. 

Elizabeth made a point to visit Ngila, encouraging her, praying for her and occasionally would bring her a bit of food.  She let her know that Jesus loves her.  She told her she would be welcome in the church and the widow’s group, should she ever want to attend, but Ngila never came. 

Since our trip last year, another of Ngila’s daughters died.  She had two children and her husband had already died.  Now Ngila is caring for eight of her orphaned grandchildren.  

I was able to have a conversation with the oldest boy when we were there and I believe he is a follower of Jesus through the Bible lessons and feeding program on Saturdays.

Anna Diaz, on our team, saw that he had ripped out the back of his pants.  We went to our luggage and Anna pulled out a way to large pair of jeans.  We cut some twine we brought with us, so he could use it as a belt to hold the jeans up.  He was thrilled and so very thankful.  He just kept smiling and thanking us the rest of the day!

Ngila & her six grandchildren we met.

In August of this year, the government finally raided these small but deadly, illegal operations that are located all over Elizabeth’s area.  This is a very good thing, but it presents a problem for many living in extreme poverty who were able to feed their families through this small income.  Poverty alleviation is complicated. 

Ngila was jailed for her part in this crime.  Kenyan prison conditions are considered deplorable and inhumane by international watchdog groups and have drawn the attention of the U.S. State Department.

Ngila spent many weeks in jail until some were able to plead for her release.  On her first Sunday out of prison, Elizabeth Mativo reports that Ngila was in church for the first time!  She has continued to be in church on Sunday mornings as of this writing. 

After Ngila's release from jail, Elizabeth continues to visit.

Please keep Ngila, her grandchildren and others like her in your prayers.  Just like you and I, they need the hope of Jesus; His love and His forgiveness.  Without it, no amount of food or school fees will mean anything, but with your donations providing these material things to those unbelieving households, it just may be what our Lord uses to draw them to Himself!

Prayer Requests

•  Pray for Ngila that she can accept Christ and leave her wayward behavior.

•  Pray for protection of the children in Ngila’s care and that they will follow Jesus.

• Pray for wisdom to know the best way to help the ladies and children.  Pray as I prepare my lessons.   
• Pray that the Word of God will reach each of them.

• Pray for the drunkard men to leave their illegal brew, come to the Lord and live productive lives.  Some have come to me requesting Bibles.  Pray that I can have provision to provide them.

•  Pray for our Country. We suffered a major loss with the burning of our airport which literally burned to ashes. Shortly after that one of our Nairobi malls was attached by terrorists and many were murdered.  This has caused a strain on our economy.    Pray for cleansing of the nation as well as better economy.

Donations can be made to

Child Arise Kenya

Widows & Orphans Ministry

827 5 Ave Dr W, Andalusia IL  61232

309-798-2596

dawn@childarisekenya.com

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ChildAriseKenya.com

Ngila's place at the time of our visit.