GOD SENDS US ANGELS EVERYDAY - Michelle Stark
“God sends us angels every day
We just have to open our hearts to see them.”
Michelle Stark
November 25, 2008
In July of 2007, on the streets of Kenya, God placed before me a boy who called himself Esokuku. Dressed in tattered clothes, Esokuku also wore all the signs of hunger – but he had a sparkle in his eyes that claimed complete ownership of my heart. At that moment, I knew I had become a mom again.
Esokuku never begged from me nor did he beg from anyone else that we saw – although he later told us he was sent to the streets to gather whatever means of food or money that he could. There was little choice. Esokuku was an orphan.
After helping both his mother and his father fight for their lives, they each succumbed to the devastating effects of AIDS. Upon their deaths, Esokuku was frightened and alone; he went to live with his only living relative – an old, jobless and severely crippled grandfather. His new life was filled with an empty stomach which somehow made his hurting heart less of a focus. In addition to the lack of food, there was no bed…in fact; there was not even a blanket to cover his hungry body with during the cold nights of winter. (Yes, it gets cold in Kenya.)
Still, in Esokuku’s life, there was love. Esokuku walked miles every day to fetch water and firewood to take care of his beloved grandpa. He bathed his grandfather and washed his tattered clothes and he kept a fire going to keep them both as warm as possible. When food was available, Esokuku cooked and cleaned the few utensils they had. There was no money to send him to school, so Esokuku tried as hard as he could to push his dreams of an education far from his heart. Fourth grade was the last grade to ever see Esokuku’s face.
But on that blessed day in July of 2007 when Esokuku was placed before me in the streets of Nanyuki Kenya, both of our worlds changed forever. Our dear friend, Julius Gatobu, Director of Victory Academy accepted Esokuku to boarding school in Nkubu Meru Kenya. Esokuku would not have to want again. Before Esokuku left for school, he let us know just what an angel he really is: “please take care of my grandfather”, he said. And with tears in his eyes, he turned to go to school.
Today, Esokuku is respectfully known as Ambrose Lanuko (his real name). He is at the top of his class and is working hard to realize his dream of becoming a doctor. Ambrose’s grandfather is being cared for by Matanya’s Hope directors, Mr. and Mrs. Mugo.
This year, after becoming thoroughly exhausted from shopping for Matanya’s Hope, (I am not much of a shopper), I was blessed again by one of God’s angels.
My back ached from carrying more heavy bags than my fingers could support; my feet hurt from walking and my brain was tired from bargaining. Small shop owners were on me like flies on over ripened fruit - everywhere….in front of our face, on our arms…in the middle of our paths – you name it, anything to sell a trinket.
NO ONE SAID DOING GOD’S WORK WOULD BE EASY….JUST BEAUTIFUL.
We just have to open our hearts to see them.”
Michelle Stark
November 25, 2008
In July of 2007, on the streets of Kenya, God placed before me a boy who called himself Esokuku. Dressed in tattered clothes, Esokuku also wore all the signs of hunger – but he had a sparkle in his eyes that claimed complete ownership of my heart. At that moment, I knew I had become a mom again.
Esokuku never begged from me nor did he beg from anyone else that we saw – although he later told us he was sent to the streets to gather whatever means of food or money that he could. There was little choice. Esokuku was an orphan.
After helping both his mother and his father fight for their lives, they each succumbed to the devastating effects of AIDS. Upon their deaths, Esokuku was frightened and alone; he went to live with his only living relative – an old, jobless and severely crippled grandfather. His new life was filled with an empty stomach which somehow made his hurting heart less of a focus. In addition to the lack of food, there was no bed…in fact; there was not even a blanket to cover his hungry body with during the cold nights of winter. (Yes, it gets cold in Kenya.)
Still, in Esokuku’s life, there was love. Esokuku walked miles every day to fetch water and firewood to take care of his beloved grandpa. He bathed his grandfather and washed his tattered clothes and he kept a fire going to keep them both as warm as possible. When food was available, Esokuku cooked and cleaned the few utensils they had. There was no money to send him to school, so Esokuku tried as hard as he could to push his dreams of an education far from his heart. Fourth grade was the last grade to ever see Esokuku’s face.
But on that blessed day in July of 2007 when Esokuku was placed before me in the streets of Nanyuki Kenya, both of our worlds changed forever. Our dear friend, Julius Gatobu, Director of Victory Academy accepted Esokuku to boarding school in Nkubu Meru Kenya. Esokuku would not have to want again. Before Esokuku left for school, he let us know just what an angel he really is: “please take care of my grandfather”, he said. And with tears in his eyes, he turned to go to school.
Today, Esokuku is respectfully known as Ambrose Lanuko (his real name). He is at the top of his class and is working hard to realize his dream of becoming a doctor. Ambrose’s grandfather is being cared for by Matanya’s Hope directors, Mr. and Mrs. Mugo.
This year, after becoming thoroughly exhausted from shopping for Matanya’s Hope, (I am not much of a shopper), I was blessed again by one of God’s angels.
My back ached from carrying more heavy bags than my fingers could support; my feet hurt from walking and my brain was tired from bargaining. Small shop owners were on me like flies on over ripened fruit - everywhere….in front of our face, on our arms…in the middle of our paths – you name it, anything to sell a trinket.
NO ONE SAID DOING GOD’S WORK WOULD BE EASY….JUST BEAUTIFUL.
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