Miracles of Living Hope
Marilyn Uhl will be the first to tell you that establishing and running Living Hope High School in Bungoma, Kenya could not happen without God. She will also tell you that the longer she’s in Africa, the stronger her faith grows. Marilyn has seen God work things out in strange and powerful ways even when she didn’t believe He would. “I don’t know why we don’t have total faith because He never lets us down.” she reminds us. “He might not answer us the way we want or when we want, but He always has our good in mind.” The Living Hope journey continues with these true stories of the miraculous ways God is working in the lives of Marilyn and her students.
Praise/ Pixabay
Murunga’s Faith
Murunga had come to Marilyn and Living Hope High School hoping for a new, promising future. He was now a member of the first graduating class looking forward to attending college, but college takes money and money was something Murunga didn’t have. That didn’t stop him from planning, however. He had complete faith that God was going to work a miracle that would enable him to go on to school.
On the Sunday night before classes were to begin on Monday, Marilyn looked in on Murunga. She had given him a little money to buy new socks and under clothes. He had washed, ironed, and folded those and was singing as he packed them and his other clothes into his suitcase. The fact that he still needed over four hundred dollars….$476.00 to be exact…hadn’t chipped away at his rock solid faith.
Marilyn’s faith, on the other hand, was shaky. She was worried that God was going to let Murunga down. She considered anonymously paying the fees herself so God wouldn’t look bad to the young man. Marilyn just didn’t believe God would work it out at all. With a heavy heart she headed to the computer lab to catch up on her email. There was a message from her sister, Helen; so she opened it and began reading. Suddenly, she rose from her chair, went and woke one of the students telling him to wake all the others and gather in the computer lab in five minutes. The small, brick building quickly became jam packed with students, standing shoulder to shoulder inside, others crowding outside the door; all wondering why they were there. Marilyn asked Murunga to sit down and read the email she’d received. As he began reading he reported that someone had donated several pairs of tennis shoes to the school. “That was nice.” Continuing, he read that a new sponsor had been found for a student in need. “Great news!” When he recounted the last of the email message, prayer and singing flooded the room!
As it turned out, Helen had attended Main Street United Methodist Church in Petersburg, WV that morning. She was not scheduled to speak during the service but, God had other plans.. Standing up, she made a plea for support for Murunga. The congregation graciously took up an offering and when the money had been counted, it was not the $476.00 he needed. No, it was $486.00!
Murunga, Marilyn, and the students continued to sing and dance for an hour; expressing overflowing joy that Murunga had received his miracle from God! Marilyn knew that she had been the “ye of little faith,” while Murunga’s faith had been unwavering.
The next morning before dawn, Murunga gathered up the bag he’d packed, no longer a high school student, he was now college bound. The extra ten dollars raised at Main Street Church allowed him to purchase a bus ticket and even a rare bottle of water for the trip. God knew exactly what Murunga needed; Murunga knew that God would find a way; Marilyn knew that the offering was a perfectly-timed miracle; and that Murunga’s great faith would serve as an example to her and to all who heard his story!
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)
copyright Living Hope High School, Bungoma, Kenya
For more information on Living Hope High School, go to www.livinghopehighschool.org or call Marilyn’s sister, Helen Markwell at 304-567-2254.
Oh Cindy, this story just keeps getting better and better! We certainly do have an amazing God who always comes through in His perfect timing! Even though Marilyn had little faith, God said all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed. So Marilyn’s little faith combined with Murunga’s big faith, is perfect! God shows us He will always keep His promises! I love this story! You are doing an amazing job, my friend!
Writing these stories is such an affirmation of God’s greatness for me! Marilyn and the students just inspire me so! I am glad you are enjoying their journey! Cindy