More than all you could ever ask or imagine

As I was working in the library, this young man stepped out of Ginger's office and introduced himself.  James will graduate from college in June.  He was one of the first to have gone all the way through the KDS school system and will have a double major in economics and accounting. With huge goals, he's considering going on to get a masters and then use it in the area of public service. While he is looking for employment, rather than sitting around, he is coming back to volunteer in the school.

I told him how honorable it was to help others and he immediately grew serious.  Through moist eyes, he told me his story. He had been a accepted into KDS in preschool. In about 4th grade, he got mixed up with a gang and ran away.

About two years later, he was home visiting his mom and Jane, the Managing Director, went to their house and asked him to return to school.  He was tired of begging on the streets and waking up hungry all the time, so he did come back. He told me that at first, he only came back for the food. But, as he was shown love and care, he began to respond.  And eventually, he began to thrive.  He knew that the Lord had reached out to him and that He saw him. James said that his life is a miracle and no one in his family can believe it. Who knew all those years ago that he would be graduating from college?

In June, 500 of his extended relatives will be at his graduation. He will be the first college graduate from his family.  In fact, he will be the first graduate of his village of about 1500.  Even now the elders ask his advice in matters and, while he doesn't feel wise enough to contribute, he prays and the Lord gives him the wisdom that he needs.

He ended by telling me that by helping at the school, he will be able to give hope to many others who are in the same place that he was all those years ago.  And now, we get to see how far reaching this little school in the slums will go. With more than 1000 students, if each of them could offer hope to those they know, imagine the impact on this community!