Mana Mfasha for the Children
"Mana Mfasha for the Children" means "God's Help for the Children" and is the name of the pre-school and ministry founded and operated by John, one of my readers. John is a soft-spoken, polite, and serious man of faith who regularly attends Christ's Church in Rwanda, the congregation hosting our LST mission project. Last night, John shared with Dana and I about the school he started four years ago based on a passion to help the poor children in his community, and it captured our hearts so I want to share it with you.
John had a good job as a cook at the largest hospital in Kigali when a passion to help children grabbed his heart. So he quit his job and started this school in his home with his wife and two young children. John emphasizes four things at the school which serves children ages 3-6, some of whom have no shoes to wear to school: education (in English and Kinyarwanda), hygiene, nutrition, and the Bible. From humble beginnings four years ago, he now serves 112 children and employs four teachers and two custodians... all in his home! The work does not stop there since he also teaches a Bible school on Saturdays for ages 3-15 and every weekday evening from 5-7pm he uses his knowledge of cooking and nutrition to teach mothers of children in the school how to prepare and cook nutrionally balanced and affordable meals. Not only does this tackle the problem of malnutrition for the poor, it also gives these women a marketable skill that will allow them to get a job and help support their family. On top of that, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening at 7pm he meets with me to improve his English skills and read the Bible.
John has invited us to visit the school, which we will do soon on one of our days off. I anticipate a humbling, inspiring, and convicting experience.
John is a man with a big heart who embodies the hope for the future of Rwanda. He is also the embodiment of Matt. 25:31-40 - "... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." We would all do well to follow his example as he follows the example of Christ.
John had a good job as a cook at the largest hospital in Kigali when a passion to help children grabbed his heart. So he quit his job and started this school in his home with his wife and two young children. John emphasizes four things at the school which serves children ages 3-6, some of whom have no shoes to wear to school: education (in English and Kinyarwanda), hygiene, nutrition, and the Bible. From humble beginnings four years ago, he now serves 112 children and employs four teachers and two custodians... all in his home! The work does not stop there since he also teaches a Bible school on Saturdays for ages 3-15 and every weekday evening from 5-7pm he uses his knowledge of cooking and nutrition to teach mothers of children in the school how to prepare and cook nutrionally balanced and affordable meals. Not only does this tackle the problem of malnutrition for the poor, it also gives these women a marketable skill that will allow them to get a job and help support their family. On top of that, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening at 7pm he meets with me to improve his English skills and read the Bible.
John has invited us to visit the school, which we will do soon on one of our days off. I anticipate a humbling, inspiring, and convicting experience.
John is a man with a big heart who embodies the hope for the future of Rwanda. He is also the embodiment of Matt. 25:31-40 - "... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." We would all do well to follow his example as he follows the example of Christ.
posted by Harvard Townsend | 1:46 PM
3 Comments:
Thanks for sharing this story. I hope to hear more after you visit. I pray for your team often and will include John's efforts.
I'm thankful for your giftedness in writing. What a blessing to hear your stories right as they happen. Continuing to pray for fruitfulness of the Spirit. We love you all!
Please tell John he has touched the hearts of your American friends. Please tell him thank you for his example of Christ's love in action. His untiring work for the children and his community is humbling and refreshing. Thanks for taking the time to share this Harvard. Hello to all. We have had several planning emails from Mladen. We will have plenty to do :-)
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