The girl who tried to get away

Bright smiles, singing and chants of “Mzungu, mzungu!” (meaning white person) rang in our ears as our vehicle drove over the potholes and into the School compound. Along with my husband William and some of our team; we were there to visit on behalf of our organization; Feed my Lambs Children’s Ministry.

Bright smiles, singing and chants of “Mzungu, mzungu!” (meaning white person) rang in our ears as our vehicle drove over the potholes and into the School compound. Along with my husband William and some of our team; we were there to visit on behalf of our organization; Feed my Lambs Children’s Ministry. The School was interested to register the children on our Bible programme which would ultimately result in each child being presented with a King James Bible.  

Dusty little hands grasped at our clothes as we made our way into the Church which was also situated on the compound and we watched as the children excitedly found a place to sit on the clay floor.  

As is customary when we visit Schools in Kenya; the 200+ children began singing at the tops of their voices. As bright and cheery as a dawn chorus, Jehovah turned my life around echoed around the tin structure.  

One little girl stood out in the crowd. Unlike the other children, Shameena (not her real name) was wearing a hijab. She was a muslim; her parents, somewhat reluctantly; had registered her as a pupil of this Christian School. Shameena looked uncomfortable as she tried to find an escape route through her singing friends. She did not want to be part of praising God; she was not allowed to praise God!

In the days to come, our programme began in the School. Each lesson completed by the children included a Bible story, memory verse and activity. Shameena was not allowed by her parents to complete the lessons. However, God was working.    

Our hearts rejoiced when we heard the news that Shameena had trusted the Lord as her Saviour; but this little 9 year old was afraid to tell her parents because “they might put me out of the house or kill me!” After some months she was able to share her testimony with her parents and they agreed to her continuing at the School, as well as Sunday School and Church. Yet, there is still a challenge today as the Sunday School has now closed due to having no teachers. No–one to encourage that little girl and bring the Gospel to others like her.

When I was a child, mission to me conjured up images of an African village where boys and girls would gather around the knee of a missionary to hear the Gospel. As time has passed, so too mission has changed. Outreach on the street and in prisons; working with addicts and the persecuted Church – these are all genuine needs; but could it be that we have become a generation who have lost sight of the African child? Has that traditional form of mission work become boring to us? Do we need a good story to stir us up to work for the Lord?   

I would like you to look beyond the story which I have shared. I want you to see a little African child. I want you to look past all the excitement of mission and see the need.  

This year marks 15 years since Feed my Lambs was founded and we are grateful, as part of that, to have the opportunity to share at Bangor Worldwide. We may not have a big team, big finance or even big ideas but we do have a vision and calling to reach children with the Gospel. With God’s help and perhaps your prayers and support, we aim to continue in our mission to reach out to the African child. 

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You can find out more by visiting our website www.feedmylambs.org.uk and you will also find us on Facebook and Instagram.