Back in January, students met to talk about their 2023 resolutions, and one of the resolutions stated that they wanted to pursue a closer walk with God.  I reached out to 5 of our college students in our program on What’sApp and asked them to explain what this looks like in more detail with the following questions in order to understand what discipleship looks like in their lives:

• 1. What does walking with Jesus look like for you at school and at home?   
• 2. Who is supporting your walk with Jesus at school and at home?
• 3. What do you want your walk to look like a year from now? 

Below are the students who shared their responses with me and gave me a wonderful window into the faith that has taken root in their lives. 

Responses on our What'sApp conversation to the question, “What does walking with Jesus look like for you at school and at home?” included prayer, bringing their needs and struggles to God, and including Him in whatever they are doing.  

​When they answered, “Who is supporting your walk with Jesus at school and at home?”, they mentioned family, Children of the Kingdom staff, Christian fellowship groups at school, and friends. 

And their responses to the question, “What do you want your walk to look like a year from now?” were about their hopes for maturity and continuing to make their relationship with God a priority.   

​I was so encouraged by these university students’ answers that pointed to deep roots of their faith. Thank you so much for your investment in their roots going deeper! 

With that, here is a prayer I adapted for the students who were so gracious to share their responses with me. Please join me in prayer for them and for all of our students in Children of the Kingdom. 

Based on a prayer by Douglas McKelvey titled “A Liturgy for Students & Scholars” in Every Moment Holy. ​

​Since 1911, people around the world have celebrated women’s accomplishments on International Women’s Day (March 8). This year to honor this day, we celebrate two women in India and in Kenya who have made incredible strides in their communities. 

​Debra Ejore, now 24 years old, is a Turkana student who joined the Children of the Kingdom sponsorship program when she was six years old after her parents died in 2006. Life was not easy for her and her two brothers, and they struggled to get food and school fees. Shortly after her parents died, she was added to the Children of the Kingdom sponsorship list. Through the years, she attended Kawalase Primary School, Our Lady’s Girls High School, and St. Paul’s University majoring in accounting.  While this is a predominantly male dominated field, she worked very hard in her math classes, received her bachelor’s degree, and graduated with honors. Even before her graduation, she secured her dream job as a finance officer at a reputable humanitarian women-led organization called “Echami Aito” (the love of a mother).

Saroja Thota is an outstanding Dalit woman who has made it far in academia, and she has recently obtained her doctorate in biotechnology from Andhra University, India. Her research at the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) focused on reducing the carcinogenic agents in tobacco, and she is enthusiastic about continuing molecular-level research in her career as a scientist.  Saroja not only excels in her scientific pursuits but is also an active participant in outreach and ministry. She directs a women's empowerment program in India through the Messiah Gospel Ministry, which has successfully helped hundreds of women graduate from sewing programs.  She is also a passionate Sunday school teacher supporting many of the students in the Children of the Kingdom program, and she is a talented Kuchipudi dancer.