grace ministries - emergency family assistance, counseling

At A Glance

•	In emergency situations, Grace Ministries assists the families of its School's students by providing in--home counseling, food from the School garden, and (if available) small monetary funds.

Family Assistance

The Grace Ministries staff closely identifies with the plight of the children who are our students and with their immediate and extended families. Grace Director Samuel Wambugu summed it up well when he said "We know the pain of sharing a slice of bread between four children." For that reason, we know that we have no option whatsoever but to render help when our children's families are in need.

To get an idea of the situations with which we are so often faced, and the scarcity of resources with which we must work, consider the following account from Rev. Wambugu.

“It was ten o'clock in the morning when Rachael, a very brilliant and humble girl in our class four (14 years of age) entered my office.,” he said. “ She looked worried and concerned. I gave her a seat.

“ ‘What is it, Rachael? I see you are worried.’

“’I was sent to you by my mother. She asked me to tell you that she is sick, and does not have money to go the hospital.’” Samuel recounted.

“’When did she become sick?’

“’She has been in bed since Monday.’

“’Who has been cooking for your younger sisters and brothers?’

“’They are given food by the neighbors.’

“I did not know how to help because I had no money,” said Samuel. “I called Monica and narrated to her Rachael’s story. We decided that Josphat the caretaker should go to the school garden to get cabbages, tomatoes, carrots and kale for Rachael to take home. The school had $5 in its kitty and gave $3 to Rachael to take to the mother to go to the hospital.

“On Sunday after church we visited Rachael’s home and found that the mother was suffering from malaria and typhoid,” he said. “ We prayed with her and promised to return later."

This is a typical ministry for us each week. We are able to reach the community through the children. We do not consider this as a burden – we thank God because He has given us special favors among our community.