The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has historically used the slogan: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” The words are quite profound since every mind in the world has the potential to propel an individual to do good or evil.
Kudos to leaders, volunteers, teachers, and donors who ensure that the minds of children in Mombasa’s Timbwani School for the poor and orphans from Likoni AIDS Orphanage are not wasted. The lack of school fees does not hinder the education of these inquiring minds. Their hunger and thirst for knowledge coincides with that for physical food and water. The children have learned how to be content in whatever state they find themselves.
Orphans at Timbwani Baptist Church School
Visit to Likoni AIDS Orphanage
Three hundred poor children sit quietly on the floor in a school assembly.
On a trip to Mombasa, Kenya in East Africa I had the privilege of hearing the children rap about HIV/AIDS and other STDs. Why? Their lives have been gravely impacted by these diseases. While living in an orphanage and attending a school that exists by the mercies of God, the sacrificial love of volunteers and gifts from people who care, these young people exude gratitude and appreciation for education. What a joy to see workers giving of themselves for the sake of future generations who now live in abject poverty.
Investing in the progeny of victims of AIDS and poor parents meets the approval of Jesus Christ who came that ALL may have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27 NIV). God has given each person a mind that must be developed. Our visit was to instill hope and positivity so their minds will not be wasted. Given that “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece” (Prov. 16:27 TLB), those who are better off should not neglect to help the less fortunate. Surely we don’t want to allow these children to be idle and entertain evil thoughts and deeds.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3 KJV) is an appropriate word of encouragement for those who might feel abandoned or discouraged right now. It is my prayer that these children and school workers will keep their minds focused on the God of all flesh who is in control of all things, and trust him to deliver them out of all their troubles.
Thank you for caring enough to read and pray for the school. May you share as the Lord leads you to help children who desperately need to be loved, supported and educated.
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