Written by: Amanda Kiang, minsitry intern 2024
It’s easy for outsiders to look at MITS students and see what they don’t have. Yet, a couple of weeks into my internship, I was sitting in the car with Paulsen and the other interns, Megan and Anni, and we started conversing about what it means to be rich. What does it mean to be rich? Well, that depends on how you define it. However, if we were to define “rich” by having a plethora of things of God, then even at a glance, people can see that MITS is rich in spirit.
I’ve seen how they are rich in spirit through the ways they navigate the ups and downs of life with an abundance of faith. In the time I got to spend in Kamulu, I’ve been blessed with the chance to form relationships with the students here. We’ve swapped stories, and some of these students have ones that I’m sure break God’s heart more than they’ve broken mine. Yet, through all the pain, suffering, hunger, abuse, shame, and uncertainty, these kids have chosen to trust God in all of it. Many students have told me of times they have grasped onto God in times of desperation and how He has delivered them. They look back in hindsight and are able to clearly see God’s hand in their lives and the ways he has answered their prayers, expressing their gratefulness for the new life God has given them. They continue to inspire and push me in my own faith - “Amanda, don’t forget to pray,” the tender farewell whispered in my ear by one of the girls each time we part will forever ring in my ears.
I’ve seen how they are rich in spirit through the ways they love each other and everyone else so fiercely and deeply. I see it when they serve each other food, teach each other new skills, and give encouraging words. I especially see it in their capacity for forgiveness. One of the smaller girls is not uncommonly picked on, and she often relays her day to me whenever I check in on her. Every time she tells me someone did her wrong or has made her cry, she says, “I forgave her. I love her like my sister.” She explains she is simply doing her best to extend the love God shows her. I’ve also personally experienced their love when they welcomed me with open arms, integrated me into their community and everyday life, and translated conversations from Kiswahili to Kizungu to include me. One boy even took it upon himself to personally tutor me in Kiswahili nearly every day, patiently and repeatedly pronouncing each syllable slowly and subsequently typing each phrase into the Notes app on my phone.
They are rich in spirit in the ways they choose joy and find it in everything. When they dance, learn, play football, draw, cook, and sing, it’s so evident that they do it all with joy. Their smiles and laughs shine so brightly in a world that they know can sometimes feel truly dark, and the smiles and laughs they share shine even brighter. Some examples include group celebrations after anyone scores a football goal, fun ugly scream-singing chapel songs while rolling and frying chapatis in the dorm kitchens, and dancing altogether during Sunday morning worship. The students really did try their best to include me on the football pitch (despite my lack of ability to play), teach me their own style for chapati-making, and guide me through their worship dances - being just the smallest part in that shared joy is a warm feeling like no other.
One of my favorite songs that the kids love to sing during morning chapel is “Come Fill My Cup”. The lyrics are as follows:
Come fill my cup and let it overflow
Come fill my cup and let it overflow
Come fill my cup and let it overflow
Let it overflow with love.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see.
When we’ve been there, ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days, to sing God’s grace
Then when we first begun.
Come fill my cup and let it overflow
Come fill my cup and let it overflow
Come fill my cup and let it overflow
Let it overflow with love.
God is filling the cups of everyone at MITS, and they are overflowing into each other, their community, and all who have had the opportunity to interact with them. I am so blessed to have been a witness to that overflow for the past few months. Even more so, I’m blessed to have received it. Napenda kila muta hapa MITS. Asante sana kwa kunionyesha mimi upendo wa mungu, MITS.
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