The School Boy

Oliver's Story Has Just Begun

Girls Be Shoppin'

Oh, My African Mama

by Oliver Omondi

With a bundle of firewood on her head she moves with weak steps

Her face glows with a baby on her back

The baby is blissful but his muscles are weak

With her last weary step she comes to a stop

Putting the heavy bundle down with a bang

Oh, my African Mama

Rubbing her dirty hands on her apron

The baby clings tightly showing a face of joy

I almost cried, shedding tears of mercy for the growing seed, the baby

Oh, my African Mama

The baby caught his mum’s unkempt hair

Still with a smiling face not knowing the challenges

Her stomach is empty though she looks strong

Oh, my African Mama

Sitting downwards she’s eaten one meal today

I never know, who the first born is from behind

The last born being a boy, another big stomach

Oh, my African Mama

Food on the table, survival for the fittest

They struggle and grab and at last the weak grumble

With the little she has eaten, she plans for the next

Oh, my African Mama

Wrinkles on her face with strong lines

How is it being a woman full of hope?

Even with clothes dirty everywhere

Oh, my African Mama

They have struggled but still God sends some more visitors to her;

The babies

Once more the baby stands on his feeble legs

Though feeble, they look rough and strong,

ready for the journey through poverty.

Till when?

Oh, my African Mama

From Oliver to Hope

This was written by Oliver to express his thankfulness for the offerings that were made to help with his schooling.

"Appreciation for Support Offered

I’ve searched for words, in vain I get them

I’ve prayed for words, in pursuit for words

Consultation I’ve made, my brain the source

Arise from your slumber, I complain to it

At last it recovered, here being affections

The universe is large, the inhabitants are God’s

Never have I met Canadians as you

Tenderness your virtue, principle is charity

Helmet being care, shield your compassion

Wow, how to describe, I lack words

The Oliver you have nourished, will be like olive oil

To anoint other people, and chasing poverty

To raise innocence and life from bitterness in this world

And promote togetherness by preaching equality

For God is my Father, me, His son

The last but an important expression is it

I beseech your decency, to soldier on

Supporting my failed background, nursing me to might

The challenges I understand, affect you too

But your humble offer, I really really appreciate.

The world is full, but few care

‘Christian’ today, is just but a title

Action stronger than words, as it was said

Thank you, thank you and thank you

A bundle is stronger than a stick

A hand that gives is better than a mouth that just prays

Together as one, you have resurrected a hopeless soul

Your contribution is what makes it to be what you see

Why should I forget it?

Is my mind approaching expiry date?

Why too, and for what reason should I?

Never in my life will I forget

The offer you give, gives me joy and hope

Why should God be denied praises?

The keys to closed doors is a seed growing in Hope church

Forever it will sprout healthy

To produce wonderful results

Through every situation to my bed of death

I will remember Hope church."

He Is All About Details

When I spoke at church weeks ago I told a bit of the story of a friend of mine named Oliver.

He is a young man of great faith, a great writer, funny and has a very kind and observant heart. He is 14 years old and though life has not been easy by any stretch of the imagination he knows and trusts that God is on his side.


I may do a series on here about his story in the future but I wanted to quickly share something great today.

When I spoke about Oliver at church, I talked about how school fees are a huge hurdle for his family. God has provided for his schooling in great ways through neighbors and other incredible means. These last two weeks are no exception.

After my message I was approached by a few people wanting to help with his schooling and so the last two Sunday mornings there was an offering taken for him.

I had not made it known to the church how much was needed. But, when I totaled up the gifts from both weeks, the final amount was the exact amount that is needed to cover the term.

I won't say that I'm surprised as much as I am expectantly grateful. I know that we serve a God of details who knows our needs and is not only capable but insistent on providing for them. This is how I know that even though, up to now, Oliver only has money to complete grade 9, he will finish high school. I'm very confident in that and I know that he is too.