Do you remember the first gift your child gave you? Maybe it was a picture they drew and colored or perhaps an art project of some kind. Do you remember how you felt as they gave it to you knowing that it was made especially for you? Do you remember the expression on their face as they looked at you for your reaction, searching to see if you liked their creation, searching for your approval? Last week I had one of those moments.
Moses, one of our older teens, has been at the Children's Home since he was a few months old. He has had many "parents" during his years at the Children's Home and with most of them he has not had the best of relationships. Many of them have found him to be difficult, moody, and often quiet or sullen. He struggled with high school and after repeating his sophomore year, we decided it was time to look for something more suitable for him. He had expressed a lot of interest in art and design, so we found a graphic design and art studio nearby that offered internships. We enrolled him and immediately we saw a transformation in Moses. He was finally given the tools to express his emotions in ways he could not articulate verbally. He now had a positive outlet for some of the angst within. At first some of his sketches were a bit disturbing. What I found interesting though was that more he drew and painted, the more he found his voice. Staff remarked that they could actually converse with him and several times he actually sought me out to chat.
Moses has completed his internship and is now looking for work and opportunities. He recently repainted the signs on the main gate for the Children's Home and Bahati Academy and did a fantastic job. It was wonderful to see his own sense of pride and accomplishment at his completed work. Three weeks ago I was cleaning out the office at the Children's Home and chanced across a treasure that had been lost for years- artist quality acrylic paints and brushes. I knew immediately they were meant for Moses so I gathered them up and gave them to Moses that very day. His face lit up and I knew that good things would come. I just didn't know that they would be meant for me.
Last week I received a gift. Just as I was rushing off to a meeting, Moses presented me with a painting that he had made for me. I was honored and overjoyed for I understood the significance of the moment. The vulnerability of his face as he looked at mine was humbling. As my face lit up, so did his. The painting is beautiful. The colors are bright and vibrant, not dark or foreboding. They express hope, and that is a beautiful color.
We are continuing to look for opportunities for Moses. Something that would be great for him would be to receive more artist supplies. Canvas and quality paints and brushes are available in Kenya, but they are quite expensive. I am hopeful that if we can give him the tools of the trade, more beautiful things will come and enable him to begin to support himself through sale of his art. Wouldn't you love to be a part of that?
Son of man, can these bones live? O Lord God, you know.
By His grace,
Jason Beagle
