in college. I spent the summer in Kenya with myfolks, and Harrison was working as an employee of Life Ministry (CCC). He was a single man at the time and he was training hard as a marathon runner, hoping to compete for Kenya in the 1984 Olympics. He never made it to Los Angeles the next year, but Harrison has been running an incredible race ever since. He married Sarah, and they had two children: Edwin, who is studying at the University of Nairobi, and Rina who is in her last year of High School. He is a gifted preacher and evangelist, and for the past 29 years he has tirelessly spread the good news of Jesus throughout Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Then several years ago the Lord captured Harrison's heart with the plight of the thousands of aids orphans in Kenya, many of whom wander as beggars through the slums of Nairobi in their daily search for food and shelter. Harrison single-handedly took in 30 of these precious kids, rented a tin shack in the slum area of Kibira (outside Nairobi) and hired a local "Mama" to watch them, feed them and get them to school each day. Some of these children have now reached Middle School age, and Harrison continues to support them by paying their school fees. He has to negotiate with the school principals to keep them during the school year, as he is often delayed in coming up with the money to cover their room and board as well. Harrison embodies the compassionate heart of Jesus towards these children who would otherwise have no means of support, and we feel like we're playing a direct role in caring for them through the funds we send each month.
I share Harrison's story for one reason only: for most of the past 29 years Daphne and I have been Harrison's sole means of support. He has received some help from a church in Tennessee, but they have since stopped their support due to budget cuts. Our church has also helped to support Harrison and the aids orphans under his care, but his needs are still enormous. I called him a few days ago to see how he's doing, only to find out that his daughter Rina has not returned to school this semester because he did not have enough funds to pay her school fees. Sarah (Harrison's wife) also suffers from hypertension and diabetes, and her medication is very costly. I don't know why it never occurred to me before to use my blog and the wonder of social media to share my burden for Harrison, but my hope is that some of you may feel called to join us in supporting Harrison and his ministry. The easiest way you can play a role is to send me a check made out to Jim Myers, and I will then add your contribution to the funds that we send Harrison each month via Western Union. I realize that I am asking for your trust, but I promise that every penny you send will be sent directly to Harrison in your name - and I am sure that he will want to thank you personally.
If you have any questions, you can write me directly or simply make a comment at the end of this blog - and I will answer you as quickly as I can.
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