The story of St. Barnabas Orphanage and School is one of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. In 2007, my wife and I were living in a small, single-room house, preparing for the arrival of our first child. One afternoon, as we sat for lunch, I noticed my wife hesitating with her food. She appeared deeply troubled. When I asked what was wrong, she pointed outside. Following her gaze, I saw three young boys scavenging through a bin for scraps of food.

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The sight pierced my heart. I invited the boys inside, and my wife, tender and compassionate, washed their hands and served them a proper meal. That meal, shared in our humble home, was more than just food—it was the beginning of a journey that would transform not only our lives but also the lives of countless children. At that moment, I didn’t fully understand, but I now believe those three boys were angels sent by God to awaken a mission within me. Before this, I had never thought about working with orphans. But God had a plan greater than my own.

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The boys returned the next day, and then the day after. Before long, they were a daily presence at our doorstep. Though we had little, we couldn’t turn them away. Over time, I began to feel overwhelmed by the responsibility and questioned if we could continue. I thought of asking the boys to leave. But my wife, steadfast in her faith, refused. “If God sent them to us,” she said, “we must find a way to care for them.” Her words reignited my determination.

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I rented an abandoned shack, cleaned it, and moved the boys there under the care of a responsible high school girl. But I felt the need for a spiritual blessing over this new beginning. I reached out to several clergy members, but many dismissed the work as insignificant. Only one priest, an elderly and humble man named Fr. Philip Francis Kamau, accepted my invitation.

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Fr. Philip stood in the broken-down shack, surrounded by peeling walls and simple furnishings, and offered a prayer so heartfelt and profound that it moved me to tears. He blessed the space and offered what I can only describe as a “wonder prayer.” His words of encouragement resonated deeply: “Do not give up. This is God’s work, and He will provide.” His blessing turned that shack into a sacred space and strengthened my resolve to continue.

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As word spread, neighbors began bringing more children, and soon, I had a growing group of little ones relying on me. With no resources of my own, I began begging for food, clothes, and supplies from friends and local businesses. God’s provision came through time and again. One day, a woman who had closed her school approached me. “I’ve heard about your work,” she said. “You can use my school premises at an affordable rate.” It was an answer to prayer, and we moved the children to a more suitable home.

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By 2017, we had been caring for vulnerable children for ten years. It was then that God sent another angel into my life. Through a mutual Facebook friend, I was introduced to an American city monk. This monk, like the three boys and Fr. Philip before him, was sent to guide me further on this path. Through his connections, I was introduced to yet another angel: a priest from Texas named Fr. Seraphim Holland.

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Fr. Seraphim moved quickly, inspired by the prayers of Fr. Philip and the urgency of our work. Within just three months, he helped raise over $100,000 for our mission. I was overwhelmed by his dedication and the generosity of those who heard our story. I remembered Fr. Philip’s words during his prayer in the shack: “God will provide.” Indeed, through Fr. Seraphim and the support of countless others, God’s provision came in abundance.

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With these funds, we were able to purchase land and build a state-of-the-art facility for the children. Today, our modern facility is a dream realized. It provides safe dormitories, classrooms, and spaces for recreation and study—a place where children can heal, grow, and thrive. It stands as a testament to what faith, perseverance, and the love of God can achieve.

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We didn’t stop there. Recognizing the needs of the community, we also drilled a 274-meter-deep water well on the premises. This well now provides clean water to both the orphanage and the surrounding community, offering life and hope to countless families.

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When I reflect on this journey, I think of the three boys who first came to our door. They were not just children in need; they were angels sent by God to lead me to this calling. I also remember Fr. Philip Francis Kamau, whose prayers and encouragement gave me the strength to move forward, the American monk who connected me to the world, and Fr. Seraphim Holland, whose generosity and support transformed our mission. And most of all, I think of my wife, whose unwavering faith and determination carried us through even the darkest moments.

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St. Barnabas Orphanage and School is not just a home for vulnerable children—it is a living testimony of God’s love and providence. When I look at what has been accomplished, I am reminded of Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” This is not my work—it is God’s, and I am humbled to be His servant.
 

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