News From the Kenya Team
November 30, 2018
Have you ever been called on to share a word of inspiration to a room full of prison guards? Sound like fun? It really was fun and a great blessing too. Today’s visit to the Shikusa Boys Detention Center in Kakamega began with an hour and a half session with the prison staff. I have been to Shikusa many times, but the prison staff changes every time because, for most people, it is not a favorite assignment. There were two members of the staff, however who had been at Shikusa since the day we first came there in 2005. Before and after I shared, these two wonderful people stood up to thank God profusely for Worldcomps’ involvement with the Center. Over the years we have done more for the center than any other non-profit organization with literally scores of vital projects to minister spiritually and physically to the hundreds of boys on the site.
I told the prison staff that, as far as I am concerned, what they were doing was one of the most important jobs in all of Kenya. To have the opportunity to transform the lives of young boys who behave badly because their lives have been a living hell is a great calling indeed. These are boys who, for the most part, have never known love. I shared with them about a sad reality that the bad boys are the ones who get the most attention, while the good boys seem to live in the shadows. If we can see the good boys and sieze the opportunity, they can be discipled and loved into a transformed life. The response of the prison staff was very good.
After out meeting with the prison staff we moved to the soccer field for a very entertaining soccer match between the boys from Shikusa and the boys from the Kakamegatown PEFA church. Last time we played them we lost 3 to nothing, but this time the game ended in a 3/3 tie; and it was some very good soccer. I know! Many people do not believe that “good” and “soccer” belong in the same sentence, but even you soccer haters would have enjoyed this game.
With the soccer game over we moved to the meeting hall for a time of worship and sharing with the boys. Those of you who have been with us to Shikusa know that worshipping with these boys is one of the great delights of life. They really go for it. Singing, dancing shouting the praises of the Lord. Following worship I preached a message of forgiveness and salvation. At the invitation almost half of the 325 boys raised their hands to invite Jesus into their lives. I have a personal passion for these boys because I accepted Jesus in prison myself in 1969. Prison was the turning point of my life. I vividly remember standing outside the gate when they release me, with a genuine fear that I would not make it on the outside. Fortunately I had enough foundation to trust God and the hear and obey His voice. This is what I would like to see in the lives of these boys; enough foundation in Christ to allow Him to guide them once they are released.
Valerie and I both love this place very much and everyone we have ever brought to Shikusa has been touched by the experience.
Please pray for us as we finish out the next four days and, if I might be so bold, please consider a donation to this ministry. Always, when we go to Kenya we give away a lot of money, becauses the needs of people, projects and organizations are absolutely desperate. Thank you my friends for allowing us to spend your money to blessed the poor and the needy here in Kenya.
Give online at www.worldcompkenya.com/give
Give by mail at: Worldcomp Kenya, 7758 Earl Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Blessings to you and yours at this Christmas season!
Richard and Valerie Vicknair
