True Education for Our Youth

Kenya

The Fiwagoh Mission is a ministry founded in Kenya by Pastor Benson Nganga and his wife Florence. The mission is based on true Adventist principles found in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Our goal is to restore the true principles of the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) that takes us back to primitive godliness.

The mission has trained more than fifteen full time Bible workers who go door-to-door spreading the wonderful truths we have in Jesus to the thousands of hungry souls in Kenya. We also have established thirteen home churches and an orphanage which has an education center.

Florence teaching the young ones at home.

The orphanage started in January 2003 with a very humble beginning. We started with only one child. Pastor Benson was finally able to fulfill a long awaited dream that he would be able to care for orphans in his own home. He had become an orphan at the age of nine years due to the death of both his parents. As of the writing of this article the orphanage has grown from one child to 200. Praise the Lord for how He has led in this work!

One of the principle pillars in the giving of the education to our children and youth is based on Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.”

Our motto is: “Train a child for eternity”.

“There can be no more important work than the proper education of our youth.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 89.

“It is the nicest work ever assumed by men and women to deal with youthful minds. The greatest care should be taken in the education of youth to so vary the manner of instruction as to call forth the high and noble powers of the mind. Parents and school-teachers are certainly disqualified to properly educate children, if they have not first learned the lesson of self-control, patience, forbearance, gentleness, and love. What an important position for parents, guardians, and teachers! There are very few who realize the most essential wants of the mind, and how to direct the developing intellect, the growing thoughts and feelings of youth.” Fundamentals of Education, 15.

Two youth doing construction at home.

The training of 200 children and youth ranging in age from 3 to 22 required a total concentration of mind, body, and spirit. A total reliance and dependence on the leading and guidance of God’s word is needed. The story of George Mueller’s experience in his book Living by Faith is an inspiration to us as we move forward in this work of the Lord.

Florence and Pastor Benson are busy around the clock caring for the proper development of these children. They ensure that they develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. In the space of nine years, 50 strong students who have studied God’s word and the Spirit of Prophecy have become productive workers for the Lord.

“In planning for the education of their children outside the home, parents should realize that it is no longer safe to send them to the public school, and should endeavor to send them to schools where they will obtain an education based on a Scriptural foundation.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 205.

“The schools of the prophets were founded by Samuel to serve as a barrier against the widespread corruption, to provide for the moral and spiritual welfare of the youth, and to promote the future prosperity of the nation by furnishing it with men qualified to act in the fear of God as leaders and counselors.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 593

Fiwagoh Mission has started a trade school to help our youth become self- supporting. Some of the skills to be taught are dress making, building, farming, printing, leather work, medical missionary work, painting, carpentry, automobile mechanics, knitting, and midwifery.

The dedication of the new trade school building.

On November 12, 2012, by God’s grace, we had a ground- breaking ceremony for the first set of 12 classrooms that will be used for this practical education. We praise the Lord for the donations from God’s faithful to begin this project. After these classrooms are completed, these dear youths will carry on with further education and learn to train their young siblings in the home, as well. We pray as this project continues that the training of these young people will help them be responsible members of the society in which they will be living. This will help them become independent and they will never have to go back to the streets begging for bread again.

God’s work will always call for funds, as long as the work is not finished here on earth. We are obliged not only to believe in His coming, but also to hasten it. If you feel impressed to help, please send your donations to the contact below.

By Benson Nganga. Email: bekfag@yahoo.com. To help support the trade school project, send your donations to Fiwagoh Mission Society, PO Box 60, Thompsonville, IL 62890, or contact Marie Judd at 618 218-5512.