Olivet Nazarene University

From time to time, there are stories that I am made aware of that are so very touching. Let me report one of those to you.

The last chapel of the school year each spring is our annual Shout-Out Chapel. This is the chapel when we take the opportunity to give out the coveted Shout-Out Awards. These highly coveted awards are public recognition to the Olivet community of a job well-done. Comedy and light-heartedness are the rule of the day. We laugh at our mistakes and call attention to the creative side of life.

For the most part, these awards are dedicated to the men and women of the Olivet community who went beyond the call of duty, whose exploits and contributions to our community life have been stellar. They have made our life better, our time together more enjoyable.

Toward the end of this annual chapel, I begin to draw the net in and to focus on more serious contributions. It is one of those stories that I want to pass on to you.

Last year, an Olivet student spent his summer months in Zambia. His host was the Mtumba family. The father is the Nazarene district superintendent. While in Africa, our student felt a growing concern for the oldest of these children and, specifically, for his education. Believing that God was laying a burden on his heart, our student came up with a sweet idea.

Kedric devised a plan, through the sale of homemade cookies, to pay for the student's college education.

This sweet endeavor is allowing Kedric Jones to sponsor Aaron Mtumba as a student at Illinois Central College. Aaron's travel expenses to the United States, as well as his tuition, fees and books, are covered. Kedric has found a family in the area who will provide room and board for Aaron. Kedric has done this while caring for his own educational expenses and socking away money to return to Africa for the summer.

This is an outstanding commitment to caring for another person in real time and real space. Efforts like these bless the individual and bless God. Would you join me in saluting Kedric Jones for his sponsorship of this African child's education? "The Lord sees virtuous deeds."

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