What a joy to attend this 3rd graduation for Teen Challenge of Kenya. Four years ago John and Anne Martin from the US were invited to open this residential facility. And I live right next door! I love hearing the guys doing choir practice every day, playing basketball and soccer, and just enjoying each other as they work and play.
Teen Challenge is actually a discipleship program lasting from 12 to 18 months and is designed for men addicted to drugs and/or alcohol who have chosen to leave that life behind. Through the power of Christ twelve men have done just that this past year.
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| These little guys cracked me up in their suits...and beanies on this HOT day! |
The invitation said 10am
sharp and I took it seriously since it was sent out by a mzungu (white person) but alas, this is Kenya so I got to witness much set up and the arrival of most of the guests.
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| Anne sharing something with John; a last-minute snafu perhaps? |
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| The graduates...it was cool sitting next to them :) |
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| Kamau, the music director, greeting the guests and introducing the 'choir' |
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| The official videographer |
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| Remembering that a few short months ago they were wearing those colorful t-shirts? |
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| Arriving with NO musical ability these guys now sing like angels = GOD! |
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| Clearly moved by the power of praise... |
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| Kids! |
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| Boys will be boys! |
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| John snapping the grads... |
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| Job, the director of the facility... |
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| John - Executive Director |
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| John invited wife Anne up to speak first...smart man! |
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| Anne shared a moving story of alcoholism and drug abuse in her family |
She lost two aunts and a sister to alcohol and drugs...she told God to please use her any way He wanted to help eradicate drug and alcohol addiction..."be careful what you pray for!" she ended! I thank God that He answered her prayer by bringing her and John to Kenya...they are MUCH needed here!
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| John spent much time introducing the staff |
John, a wise man, knows that the success of this ministry depends heavily on an effective team...
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| Vincent - a counselor and pastor |
John inquired at a local Bible college, asking for a graduate who had a history of alcohol and/or drug addiction...strange qualifications! But - Vincent is the result of that inquiry...he is a gentle, wise, passionate and gracious man.
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| Kamau preparing us for more praise and worship... |
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| Kick the can? |
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| Job introducing Pastor Harris of Garden Christian Center |
Garden Christian Church is the home church for the residents of Teen Challenge of Kenya.
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| Pastor Harris had the privilege of welcoming and introducing pastors and other church leaders in attendance |
Pastor Harris also introduced our guest speaker, Pastor Philip Kitoto, senior pastor for International Christian Centre. He was instrumental in opening doors for the founding of this Teen Challenge facility.
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| He preached from Mark 5 |
Pastor talked about how Jesus was not too busy to stop for the woman with an issue of blood, just as He is never too busy for us. But, He waits for us to make the first move just as He waited for the woman to come to Him. He pointed out many ways that people with an addiction are much like this woman; outcasts, shunned by society, often suffer at the hands of professionals.
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| Some of the guests...the man on the aisle is Pastor John Wesley, last year's speaker |
John Wesley was the senior pastor at a church I used to attend. He is lively, fun and so passionate - I used to LOVE his preaching and just watching his enthusiasm. It was a joy to see him this day.
Pastor Philip talked about how each of these men has recognized his need for a 'higher power' than themselves to pull them out of the pit they were in.
Much like the woman in Mark 5 these men have moved forward in faith thus opening the door for healing and forgiveness.
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| He began to get animated when talking of Peter stepping out of the boat |
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| Taking the step...walking on water. |
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| Holding Jesus' hand after he began to sink |
At this point he reminded us that Jesus DID NOT carry Peter back to the boat...he walked back, holding the hand of Jesus...great word picture of what each of these graduates must continue to do as they embark on life on the 'outside'
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| Job introduces 3 graduates who will tell their stories |
There was not time to hear from all twelve :( but Job stressed that these 3 stories represent all twelve graduates and even the 28 men currently going through the program.
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| This is Kenneth Wangai |
He was in the program for 15 months...normally it is a 12 month process, but occasionally more time is necessary...and more time is what they are given.
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| He was addicted for 26 years from age 16 |
Even though he grew up in a Christian home, Kenneth succumbed to peer pressure in High School and began to attend parties and drink alcohol. He managed to get through High School and even went through college - all the while continuing to abuse alcohol. He found and lost good jobs and finally went home to his mom...but still he kept using. After going through rehab 3 times he was convinced that it was impossible to beat the addiction.
Then his mom died which eliminated his whole support system, since his dad had died when he was just a child and he had managed to alienate every other family member. God led him to Teen Challenge in Sept of 2010 and on the 12th of Nov 2010 he gave his life to Christ. Now Kenneth has aspirations to attend a school of theology and enter the ministry!
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| Joseph Kabochi is a character! |
Joseph was introduced as someone who makes people laugh and it was true! He is very entertaining, but his story is quite sobering. At only 11 years of age he lost his mom. Her church helped to support him but it just wasn't enough. By 7th grade he was smoking cigarettes and by 8th grade he was drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. He sold drugs in school until he was kicked out, then was sponsored to attend another school, but still kept using so his sponsor rejected him.
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| Joseph was addicted for 20 years |
He began to run with gangs, lived on the streets and was into gambling and violent activities. Along the way he was used by pastors to attract donor money so began to hate Christianity. Somehow he found Teen Challenge; it took months to adjust to life here. Each month he wanted to leave, wanted to run. Then in Dec 2010 he got saved! After that; no more running, no more quarreling and no more fighting. Eventually he forgave all those who had abused him and today is attending East Africa School of Theology. His dream is to minister to youth...to save young people from living the type of life he lived.
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| John catching a snap of Joseph |
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| And the star of the show - Bonface (Boni) Macharia |
Boni calls himself a prodigal...24 years ago he became a prodigal. He shared that the addict knows he or she is hurting those around him...and they run from it - he ran from it. It was four months into the program that Boni got saved - on the 23rd of April 2010.
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| Boni has been out of the program for over a year now |
He has been helping with the program since he finished...and I believe he is an inspiration to all the guys. His testimony was a powerful sermon about restoration of what was lost and the truth that we cannot change in our own power. Boni's dream is to be a preacher some day and it seems he is already practicing his dream!
At the end of his talk Pastor Philip came forward to declare that his church wants to sponsor Boni to attend East Africa School of Theology. His mother, who was in attendance jumped out of her seat to embrace the Pastor in gratitude for being willing to invest in her son. It was a moving moment! A moment I would have captured for you if my battery had not died!!!! Moral of that story - NEVER leave the house without a spare battery!
The program ended with a certificate of completion given to each of six graduates just finishing the program (of which Kenneth is one) and a certificate of graduation to each of six graduates who have been out for six months or longer. After completion of the program, each man is monitored for six months. Every week for six months they are checked on to make sure they are staying on the right track - to me this is a crucial component of the program!
I am SO excited that Teen Challenge has been used as an instrument to transform twelve men from being detrimental to society to becoming men of God ready to contribute in a powerful way to their families and communities. Only God knows the extent of the impact these twelve men will have on their families, their communities and the nation of Kenya.
