Of Street Kids and Prisons

Larry Conway, who works closely with the Eastleigh MITS Team on the streets in Nairobi, was invited to a prison near Kericho by a former student.  With him went Samuel Mburu, who was brought to Jesus through World Bible School and is a member of the Kamulu Church. We are so proud of the Conways (see picture below) and of World Bible School for the great work done in helping Kenyans begin worship together.  Also note Larry's words about new boys coming out to Kamulu and remember to pray for them - thanks! 

Recently I was invited by Eric Chepkwony to speak at the Sunday service for the Kericho prison. Kericho is located in the highlands of Kenya, about 165 miles West of Nairobi. Eric is a former student of mine at the Nairobi Great Commission School. The Nairobi Great Commission School trains church leaders from all over Kenya in a two year program so that they might be better equipped to serve Christ in their churches and to plant new churches. After Eric graduated from the school he returned to his home area and had the dream of working in the local prison sharing the gospel. The prison officials were not very receptive to the idea of him preaching there.  They made it difficult for Eric to get permission to work in the prison by requiring several documents from the Government that were almost impossible to obtain. Eric decided to visit a different prison, located in the town of Kericho, and to use World Bible School correspondence materials there. The prison officials agreed that Eric could visit the prisoners and register students in the WBS courses. After completing the courses and assignments some of the inmates decided they wanted to be baptized and give their lives to Christ. The prison officials told Eric that they noticed the inmates’ behavior was more positive than before and credited the Bible studies and Eric’s influence for their positive behavior change. Eric faced a problem at the prison because there was no baptistery and the inmates could not leave the prison to be baptized.  So he had to build a baptistery inside the prison. The prison officials were impressed with the life change they saw in the inmates. They offered a small place within the prison compound where a baptistery could be built. So far, there have been 141 inmates give their lives to Christ and be baptized. On Sunday, 22 inmates were baptized. It was very humbling to see men in handcuffs come to be baptized under heavy security with armed guards watching over them. The handcuffs were removed so they could be baptized and then immediately the handcuffs were put back on. I saw one of the prisoners in handcuffs holding his New Testament, and I was reminded that the gospel cannot be imprisoned. The gospel is powerful and God calls men everywhere to repent. I experienced a lot of joy on Sunday watching Eric, my former student, as the prison officials greeted him warmly and with respect. Eric is a great example of a servant leader who desires to help others come to Christ and be disciples. I was reminded of the relationship of Paul and Timothy. Timothy began his relationship with Paul as a student of Paul’s ministry and eventually a co-worker. I am encouraged to see former students like Eric graduate from the Nairobi Great Commission School and then go out to make other disciples. Equipping leaders brings me great joy and is important for the growth of the church.

At Made in the Streets we will be rescuing 8 boys from the streets very soon and they will go to Kamulu and begin their lives there as students. It is always a great day when we see boys leave the streets and go to live at Kamulu and get a new start in life. We continue to go out to the streets of Nairobi and share the good news that Jesus loves them and their sins can be forgiven. Thank you for all that you do that makes it possible for the ministry to continue.

Larry Conway