by Fred Sadia
There is an old adage that says, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Some of Ndoto’s students really exemplify Ndoto’s beauty, and in my two years on staff I have come to encounter so many.
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Some of the people I have met are intellectually beautiful. Their minds amaze me! It is absolutely beautiful to get a glimpse into their world of understanding and intelligence. Venesser is a perfect example. In a culture where girls are discriminated against, it is quite rare to encounter strong, brave women who rise against the odds to pursue excellence. In the 2019 high school national exams, she stood out as the top student from Ndoto, scoring in the top 3% of all students nationwide. Before the coronavirus shutdown, she began volunteering to work in the Ndoto offices before she joins college later in the year. We are absolutely happy with the exemplary work she is doing. I stopped her one day to ask her what motivates her desire for excellence and she simply quoted a scripture in Psalms, which says that those who look unto the lord are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame (Psalm 34:5). Clearly the Beauty of the Lord shines through her.
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But my favorite people, my very favorite, are those who are spiritually beautiful. These people have hearts that truly love others and who are kind and compassionate. They know Jesus personally and they live like Jesus lived. They act like Jesus must have acted, and this is what true beauty is. The most beautiful thing about a person who is spiritually beautiful is the way they bring out beauty in those around them. Meet this group of young high school boys and girls known in Obunga as “Acts 29 – The Next Chapter.” They are the beauty of Obunga, spreading the gospel to their fellow youth while maintaining their unity in Christ through fun activities. That is what Jesus does – he brings out the beauty in the people around Him. And in knowing Him, everyone becomes beautiful. The closer you get to Him, the more beautiful you become. He sees your beauty and it makes Him smile.
