Frank’s story is one of deep pain and struggle as well as beautiful redemption. Born in 1986, Frank lost his mom when he was 12 and his father a couple of years later. After that, Frank’s grandfather took over responsibility for paying his school tuition, but Frank was in and out of school due to a lack of money at times. It wasn’t until 2001, when Frank was 15, that he finished 8th grade. After completing exams, his grandfather told him he could no longer pay for his schooling.
As is common in the slum, Frank had nothing to do, nowhere to go, and nothing to strive for. He was befriended by a bad crowd in the community and started drinking and doing drugs. He became so addicted to local alcoholic brews that he started brewing and selling it for himself so he would have enough money to eat. He lost his front teeth in a fight and had no money to go to a dentist. Not one person tried to give him advice or steer him in the right direction. Feeling so alone, Frank was hopeless. He lost all vision and as Proverbs 29:18 says – “where there is no vision, people perish.” Frank labeled himself a hopeless addict.
In early 2009, Frank heard about a “behavior change” workshop being offered in Obunga, and felt something inside prompting him to go. It turned out to be an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting, and he said that what he learned in that workshop inspired him and set him on a path to recovery. After seeing some of the changes he was making in his life, Frank’s sister, Joyce, offered to scrape together money to send him to high school, though he was already in his mid- twenties.
With Joyce’s dedication, Frank was able to enroll in high school as a 24-year-old freshman. Despite the challenges, Frank did well in school and kept improving his grades until his junior year, when a cruel teacher spent more time ridiculing him than teaching the class. Frank struggled deeply but transferred schools and left that behind him so that he could continue his education in peace. As it happened, he transferred to a school in Obunga and connected with some Ndoto students who encouraged him to apply for student sponsorship.
Frank applied and was accepted into Ndoto’s 2013 sponsorship class with no more financial worry as his sponsor, Pam S., paid for his senior year school fees. He is now waiting for results from his end of high school exam (KCSE Exam) to see if he qualifies to further his education in the medical field, allowing him to fulfill his dream of becoming a nurse. While he is awaiting his results, he is a role model for other youth, and he plans to teach karate to some of the young students.
Frank has been through a difficult journey. Overcoming any addiction is never easy, but God is moving in Frank, and he has faith that God will lead him to complete victory. At the end of November, during an Ndoto Sunday morning Bible study, Frank bowed his head in prayer and gave his life to Jesus Christ. He is now redeemed and covered by the blood of the Lamb, and we rejoice alongside him at the work Christ has done, is doing, and will do in his life.
