There was a time everything in my life came to a standstill. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I felt something was missing. Then I remembered to pray and seek God’s direction. Listening to God isn’t an easy thing to do. What if He directs me to do something that is out of my comfort zone? Will I be willing to hear and obey His voice? Well, He spoke and I’m finally going back to prison.
To know more about our prison program read here.
I’m finally going back to prison
Eight years ago, I got a job as a children’s television producer. My work involved interacting with children from all backgrounds. Since I used to meet a lot of vulnerable children from poor backgrounds, I started challenging them to envision a better world for themselves and their future. I encouraged them to appreciate who they are as opposed to focusing on what they didn’t have.
In July 2012, I met 100 boys in juvenile prison and started a weekly mentoring program on my off day from work. After awhile, Hosea Omondi, from our church, joined me. We would visit the boys then spend the whole week doing other things that included;
- calling parents of the boys
- tracing their homes and parents
- verifying information with police officers
- seeking for reconciliation with parents and victims of crime
5 months later, I quit my job as a TV producer to focus on writing and working as a full time volunteer with Lifesong Kenya.
Swimming with the sharks
I remember telling Irene Simiyu I had decided to swim with the sharks. This was my reference to the decision I had made to quit my job and focus on mentoring boys in juvenile prison. I have had lots of challenges and have considered throwing in the towel. I have lost count of the times this has happened.
I have been running half marathons to raise funds for Lifesong Kenya. My running stopped being a tool for raising funds by the time I was running the second marathon. Instead, running has been a moment I listen to God. I heard God’s voice during my first 21K run in March. Since then, I have had several confirmations that I can’t continue ignoring.
I am still not earning enough from my writing. I also don’t have funding for Lifesong Kenya. But I feel convicted to resume my work with juvenile prisoners. It is the same thing that I set out to do when I quit my job in 2013. I know it is not going to be an easy road. But this is a cause that I am willing to lay everything else aside.
I’m finally going back to prison to do what I enjoy. I invite you to be part and parcel of this amazing journey. Together, we are going to give vulnerable children a platform to grow to their full potential. Kindly support by contributing any amount on this link on M-Changa.
Thanks in advance for your generous contribution!
