A NEW BEGINNING: EDWIN & FAMILY

MINISTRY IMPACT 2026 A NEW BEGINNING: EDWIN & FAMILY “Life at home was full of conflict. I grew up feeling like I did not belong,” Edwin shares quietly. “Even after getting married, I still feared losing my family because of the instability around us.” MY STORY (Before) I am Edwin, a young father and a bodaboda rider. I am married, and together with my wife Decla, we have a two-year-old son. I also take care of my younger sister who’s in the 8 th grade. My life has not been easy. I was raised by my mother, who struggled greatly to provide for me and my siblings. She later got married into another family, hoping for a better life. But things did not improve. My stepfather was a drunkard, and many members of that family did not work. As we grew older, the situation became worse. My step-grandfather constantly reminded us that we did not belong. He said we were not his real grandchildren and feared we would claim his land. There was always tension, insults, and rejection in the home. Because of this, I had to grow up quickly. I got married at a young age so my wife could help me take care of my younger siblings—especially my sister.

But even in marriage, there was no peace. The constant conflict at home affected us deeply. I lived in fear that one day I would come home and find that my wife had left because of the stress and instability. TURNING POINT Everything began to change when Shepherd’s Heart International stepped into our lives. Through their support, we were able to move out of the hostile environment and into a rented home in a different village. For the first time, we had our own space—away from conflict, insults, and fear. This was more than just a move. It was the beginning of peace. We also received guidance and support that helped us understand how to build a stable family, manage our income from the bodaboda business, and live with purpose.

A JOURNEY THAT CHANGED MY HEART For the past two and a half years, I have also had the opportunity to work closely with the ministry as Sharon’s bodaboda driver. As I drove her to many different villages and communities for home visits, family follow-ups, and ministry programs, I began to witness firsthand the work the ministry was doing for vulnerable families across the county. Through these journeys, I got the chance to visit places I had never been before. That alone was a beautiful experience for me. But the greatest thing that happened during this journey was something much deeper. I came to understand the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Many times during home visits and teaching sessions with the Kingdom Pathways families (earlier known as the Graduation Approach program), I would sit quietly and listen as Sharon taught, encouraged families, prayed with them, and at times taught from the Bible. She would often invite me to stay and listen during the sessions. This was in the beginning before I became a full member of the Kingdom pathways program. And during the long rides from one village to another, we would have many conversations on the road. That is how I came to learn that Jesus died for me personally, that I could talk to Him anywhere and anytime, and that He cared about every situation in my life. Whenever I faced family conflicts, financial struggles, or moments of discouragement, Sharon encouraged me to pray and speak to Jesus honestly. Little by little, my heart began to change. Recently, I gave my life to Jesus and became a born-again believer. One evening, while riding Sharon back home after one of the regular teaching sessions with the Kingdom Pathways families, she led me in a prayer to accept Jesus into my heart. That moment changed my life. Now I pray as often as I can, and I encourage my wife to talk to God too, just as I was encouraged. I tell her that God hears us wherever we are. LIFE NOW (Transformation)

Today, our lives look very different. We now live in peace as a family. My wife is happy, and our home is calm. My sister is growing up in a safer and more supportive environment. My wife says: “Now we have peace. We can sit, talk, and plan our life without fear.” With stability, I am able to focus better on my work. We are slowly improving our income and meeting our needs. I was initially afraid that relocating to a new neighborhood would affect my bodaboda business and that I would struggle to get customers. But through the help and encouragement of another member of the group, Pastor James Imanyara, who also rides a bodaboda, I have been able to adjust well and settle into the area. Our home is no longer a place of stress—it is now a place of hope, prayer, and healing. OUR GRATITUDE We are deeply grateful for the support we received. What seemed like a small step—helping us relocate—has changed everything for us. It restored dignity, protected our marriage, and gave our family a future. But beyond the physical support, we are especially grateful for the spiritual transformation that has taken place in our lives. Today, we are committed to building a better life, raising our son well, supporting my younger sister, and growing in our faith as a family. We believe that one day, we too will help others the same way we have been helped.

A BROTHER GAINED: SHARON’S PERSPECTIVE ON EDWIN’S JOURNEY Over the last two and a half years, Edwin has faithfully worked alongside me as my bodaboda rider while I traveled across villages in Kisii County for home visits, followups, and Kingdom Pathways teaching sessions through Shepherd’s Heart International. From the very beginning, I admired his hard work. No matter the weather, the rough roads, or the long distances, Edwin always showed up ready to work. Behind his cheerful smile, though, I could see the weight he carried as a young husband, father, and caretaker for his younger sister. Looking back now, I truly believe God connected our paths for a much bigger reason than transport or ministry logistics. The goal was salvation. All the conversations, the village trips, the laughter on dusty roads, the teaching sessions, and even the casual moments in between were simply seeds being planted by the Lord Himself. At the time, I did not fully realize it. Most days, I was simply going about ministry work—teaching families, praying with people, encouraging them, and sometimes just having light-hearted banter with Edwin as we traveled from one place to another. Yet all along, Jesus was quietly working in his heart, watching over His Word until it produced fruit. Edwin often sat through our Kingdom Pathways sessions as we ministered to families and shared the Gospel. During difficult moments in his own life, I encouraged him to pray and talk honestly to Jesus about his struggles. Then one evening after one of our regular teaching sessions, something beautiful happened. As Edwin drove us home through muddy village roads, with cold wind and light rain hitting us along the way, he told me he was ready to give his life to Jesus. So there we were—him driving in the front, me leaning forward from the back seat of the motorbike, practically shouting the prayer over the sound of the road and wind while Edwin repeated the words one by one. It was one of the most humbling, awe-striking, funny, and deeply beautiful moments I have ever experienced in ministry. And when we finished praying, Edwin turned and said something that made me laugh: “Please write down that prayer for me so I can keep praying it always.” I smiled and explained to him that this was a one-time prayer. Once you truly receive Jesus, you become part of God’s family forever. Later, when I shared the testimony with the SHI team, we all rejoiced and praised the Lord for adding another brother into the family of God. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do. Yes, we serve communities through practical support, discipleship, empowerment, and the Kingdom Pathways program. Yes, we help families find stability and hope again. But the bigger picture is always the Kingdom of God. As we pour ourselves into strengthening earthly families, God is also expanding and equipping His heavenly family—one transformed life at a time.