Robert's Harambee

On the 24th of July this year, while the seminary community was getting the news of the birth of Tameika, my daughter who was born at 2pm on that day, Robert Obaga, a 20 year old son to William and Margaret Obaga, both of whom are PhD students from Kenya, had an emergency on a soccer field. He spent a couple of days in the hospital. After a major medical treatment, he regained himself and was released to go home.

What followed that miracle of Robert's restoration would demand that another miracle be performed for the Obagas; the medical bills were just unbelievably astronomical.

Needless to mention, there was absolutely no way they could ever be able to pay everything by themselves. God had to show up for them. The community had to come in. The extended East African community in the Twin Cities, the Swahili Congregation, both congregations where the Obagas attend, the Seminary and many other organizations and individuals were moved by God to help. Part of the bills was taken care of by the county and another part by the hospital itself, but the climax of the supporting drive took place yesterday at Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis where we had a wonderfully patronized harambee organized to raise further funds for the medical bills. It was a celebration of three things in one event: Roberts healing, good music, and the love of a great community. One of the acts that created a huge buzz was that of seminary students singing African songs in "perfect" Swahili. What a loving community we have here. As an International Student, and on behalf of all International Students at the seminary, I wish to say that knowing we live in a caring community like this makes a huge difference. Beyond any shadow of doubt, you have performed a miracle for us. And for that, a million thanks.