Robin Onyango began a rough life in the city of Nairobi, Kenya. At the age of 14, Robin had already been imprisoned shortly for robbing homes and people. He was a thug; robbing, mugging, drinking alcohol, and smoking different types of local drugs called bang and miraa. Robin even had his own shop where miraa could be purchased. He was serving in the Catholic Church by day and out mugging, drinking and taking drugs by night. Eventually Robin dropped out of school seeking to get more money, a good life, and more friends. He ran away from his family, his auntie and uncle, who were raising him. Robin moved in with friends and continued robbing to get his daily living.
After 25 years of this life, Robin came to where he felt completely hopeless. His friends had grown tired of him and he had nowhere else to go. In 2005 he had joined a gang, which eventually led him back to the prison cell. Robin KNEW he needed to change, but HOW? He was so very tired and worn down.
At the encouragement of his auntie – who was trying to get rid of him -- Robin left for the town of Nakuru, Kenya, where another uncle of his lived. This uncle, Moses Olare, worshipped at the Nakuru Ronda Church of the Nazarene.
Moses introduced Robin to two men who would help to change Robin’s life forever. First, he met a guy named Kennedy Okoth. Recognizing some of the same signs of his own previous lifestyle struggles, Kennedy quickly befriended Robin. He was also introduced to the Nazarene Kenya-Rift Valley District superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel Wafula.
At that time, Pastor Wafula was having Kennedy stay in his own home in order to mentor him and to keep him on the right Christian path. Pastor Wafula invited Robin to join Kennedy in his home. Robin spent a lot of time with Kennedy walking and talking together. Kennedy told Robin his testimony of how he had been saved by Jesus Christ. He even took Robin along with him to evangelistic crusades. Robin heard the sermons and even watched another man get saved. Robin remained unmoved; he just sat and listened.
One Sunday morning at the Nakuru Ronda Church of the Nazarene, Robin quietly slipped in the back during the worship service, hoping no one would see him. Today Robin says he can’t remember a thing about the sermon, but during the altar call the preacher asked those who had any kind of a need to come forward. Robin did have a specific need; he needed to get a national ID card in order to be considered for a potential job possibility. Robin did not have any idea how this could happen. He knew that considering his background it would take some kind of a miracle in order for the application and paperwork to go through. Robin walked forward to the altar, hoping these steps would get him his ID.
At the altar a change of events took place. Timothy Wahongo approached Robin and asked him, “Robin, have you ever received Christ?”
Robin replied, “No.”
Timothy asked, “Would you like to?”
In his mind Robin thought, “God, I have tried all things – imagine, even my family has chased me away. Let me try you!”
Robin knew emphatically that his answer was, ‘YES!!!”
Timothy prayed and an unfamiliar peace overtook Robin. He knew something had changed in this hopeless life of his. That day Robin’s Uncle Moses saw Robin walk forward to kneel at the altar. He asked Robin what that was all about. Robin answered, “Yes! I got salvation today!”
Together Robin and Moses talked about salvation and what it means to be a Christian. Robin had so many questions, even about his own life. Robin asked his uncle, “What about my smoking? What can I do about it?”
Moses answered with lifechanging words: “God has forgiven you; do not do it again!” With that, Robin never smoked again.
In June 2005, Robin’s uncle gave him his first Bible. At this time Robin was very pale and sickly; the years of alcohol and drugs had damaged his kidneys. God gave Robin particular instructions: drink three liters of water every day, not take any food, and pray and read the Psalms.
Robin obeyed. He would go inside the Nakuru Game Park (home to many wild animals) where he could find solitude to follow God’s instructions. During this time with God, Robin became very zealous for Jesus Christ. God began to restore his health, his mental capabilities and even his remembrance of the English language.
Robin attended church worship services, Christian fellowships, prayer groups, and at every lunch time he attended an evangelical meeting in Nakuru Town. He began to grow and grow in his understanding of faith and Christianity. Once, he was even allowed to teach a Bible study. Through this experience God called Robin to become an evangelist.
During that time, Robin was offered a job as a mechanic. He quickly realized that his boss was unscrupulous. He wanted Robin to secretly exchange good parts for older ones when repairing customers' cars. The Holy Spirit quickly convicted Robin. Although he really needed work, Robin refused this job. Pastor Wafula praised Robin for this difficult act of obedience.
One day Robin went to a crusade with his spiritual father, Timothy Wahongo, and took this opportunity to testify about the change Jesus Christ had made in his life. God touched many lives that night. Later Timothy took him to a showing of the JESUS Film, during which an evangelism team shows a film about the life of Christ and invites attendees to consider accepting Him into their lives. Again, Robin took this opportunity to witness and to share his testimony.
He had such zeal to follow in the footsteps of other Godly men and he sought them out. Robin had the chance to hear sermons from some great Africa Region leaders such as Rev. Friday Ganda, a missionary; Rev. Don Gardner, Africa East Field strategy coordinator; Maranatha Hess, regional JESUS Film coordinator; and Rev. Nathan Menya, Uganda Central District superintendent.
Dr. Daryll Stanton, of Africa Nazarene University, especially changed Robin’s life with the words that they shared together. Robin had each of these men sign his Bible in order that he may never forget their lives. He wanted to become just like them.
On April 4, 2006, Robin was baptized by the Ronda Church of the Nazarene pastor Charles Oguta. He had a new life, new friends, the English language had been restored to him. Robin is now working on finishing his secondary school education. What had been lost was now being restored to Robin. Even now, for the very first time, Robin has his own home. Robin is hungry for the Word of God. He says he would like to buy a dictionary and as many translations of the Bible he can find.
Robin sensed that God was calling him to become a JESUS Film Evangelist. Rev. Wafula saw sincerity in Robin’s life and asked him to serve on the JESUS Film Committee. Other church leaders also were recognizing this in Robin as they began to give him more and more ministry opportunities. By the grace of God, Robin has now served as the local Ronda NYI leader for the past three years. He also was recently elected as the Rift Valley District NYI leader.
Currently, Robin is serving as the South Rift Valley JESUS Film coordinator. Robin is very flexible and able to minister under any circumstances, no matter how difficult. He has also been gifted with the ability to assimilate with many people groups and tribes, but he has a special affinity toward the Maasai people. He often will wear the clothing of the Maasai as he reaches out to them his loving hand of ministry.
Recently, Robin returned to Nairobi to see his old friends and to tell them that he now serves a living God. He is so excited about all God has done for him. Standing next to him, you can feel the excitement of his testimony. Robin is definitely a man set free, changed by Jesus Christ, and called into a life of evangelism and telling others!
-- Sarah Reed is the Children's Ministries director for the Africa East Field. She met Robin through a Sunday School Teacher Training. His passion for everything captured her attention.
The photo of Robin and Sarah's husband, Dr. Rod Reed is courtesy of Sarah.