Miles In Missions

Meet Toyin Kayode. Toyin’s mother abandoned him and his father many years ago. His father is a farmer but had grown old and could not provide for Toyin anymore. His Father told him to walk to Egbe from Oke Ere (the next town) and find an old friend of his. This friend happened to be the grandparents to Wale one of our CARE Africa kids. Toyin asked if he could stay with them. He told them he would find work so he could feed himself and pay school fees. They agreed and he moved into Wale’s room.

We felt Toyin was a great candidate for C.A.R.E. and enrolled him in our program. I wanted to meet the Father to confirm Toyin’s story so Emma and I traveled to Oke Ere. He was all alone in his house when we arrived and it didn’t look like he was well. He explained that a neighbor lady was cooking for him so he could eat. I asked him about Toyin and asked why Toyin could not come home and live with him. He explained that the schools in Oke Ere were not good and that it was better for him to stay in Egbe. I talked about scripture and the importance of a Father in a boy’s life. He agreed and said he wanted to be a good Father to Toyin but he could not provide for him. I asked him if Toyin could just come home for the weekends. At first Toyin and his Father didn’t like the idea. I explained that Toyin needed to learn how to be a man, Father, and farmer. Also, he needed to get to know his Fathers church and his Fathers tribe. They both looked scared at the thought of living together but agreed to try it.

After only a few weekends I noticed a change in Toyin. He seemed to be less moody and a smile started to develop on his face. I asked him how things were going with his Dad and he would smile and say things were going great. I asked how church was and he said he loved going with his Dad and helping him to read the Bible we gave him. He told me that there was even talk of maybe his mom coming to visit soon.

Since returning to Nigeria from my home assignment in the US, I came back to find out Toyin’s mom had actually moved back home. I was so excited to hear this news and I went out to meet her. When I arrived she was so excited to meet me and called me Toyin’s Oyinbo (Toyins “white person”). I immediately noticed a difference in Toyin’s father as he looked fatter and had the biggest smile on his face. Toyin was beaming with joy and you could really tell that his family was complete. I was so blessed to get to sit on their front porch and bask in God’s sunlight. His glory was allover the faces of this reunited family. Family Preservation was at work and God was using Emma and I as his hands and feet.

I can get so discouraged sometimes by my conditions here. I work so hard and don’t get to see the fruits of my labor. Things of this culture can seem hopeless as if nothing can or will be changed. I look at these pictures and just smile because he gives me little glimpses each day of why I do what I do. I pray he does the same for you this week.

Toyin’s father still is unable to farm and sell goods like he use to. Toyin’s mother is around now and she sells Garri (a food made from cassava). We are praying to help her buy in bulk the raw cassava needed so that her profit can be maximized. Toyin already has a sponsor for his schooling, but if you would like to help us empower his family, you can donate towards some cassava. Click Toyin  to help us empower another caretaker in Egbe.