Utugi Children Home & Rescue Center
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph K. Kibucwa challenged Christians visiting Utugi Children Home & Rescue Center to recognize that personal limitations and vulnerability should never become an excuse for failing to serve others.
Preaching from 1 Samuel 23:1–6 under the theme “Vulnerability to Victory,” the Bishop described vulnerability as a state of being exposed, fragile, or open to attack. He used David’s experience of responding to the plight of Keilah, a town being attacked by the Philistines, to demonstrate how God can use people who are themselves facing difficult circumstances.
David was already running from Saul and faced danger of his own. His men were also afraid that confronting the Philistines would expose them to even greater danger. Yet David did not ignore the suffering of the people of Keilah. Instead, he sought God’s direction, and God instructed him to go and rescue the town.
Bishop Kibucwa drew parallels between David’s situation and other vulnerable people in Scripture, including the blind beggars who depended on the generosity of worshippers and the lame man encountered by Peter and John. Peter and John openly acknowledged that they did not have silver or gold to give, yet their lack of money did not prevent them from becoming instruments of God’s work.
The Bishop emphasized that being in need does not disqualify someone from helping others. David needed safety, while Peter and John lacked financial resources, but each still offered what God had placed in their hands.
He challenged Christians to ask themselves: “What do you have?” David had faith, courage, leadership, and people who could accompany him. Peter and John had Jesus Christ and faith in God’s power. Though they did not possess money, God worked through what they had.
The message also emphasized that believers should recognize that God is the ultimate source of power. David first sought God’s direction before going into battle, while Peter and John relied not on their own ability but on the power of God working through them.
The results were victories. Keilah was delivered from the Philistines, while the lame man encountered by Peter and John received healing. These accounts demonstrate that God can bring significant results through people who may appear weak, limited, or vulnerable.
Turning the message toward the needs of Utugi Children Home & Rescue Center, Bishop Kibucwa challenged the church and wider community not to wait for someone else to solve the needs facing the children home. He likened the situation to the lame man who sat at the temple gate, asking whether God’s people would simply pass by or respond with what they had.
The Bishop encouraged Christians to look beyond what they lack and instead consider what God has already placed in their hands. Whether it is financial support, skills, time, leadership, encouragement, prayer, or other forms of assistance, every contribution can become an instrument of God’s work.
The message ultimately presented vulnerability not as the end of the story, but as a possible pathway to victory when people place what they have in God’s hands.
The challenge to the congregation was clear: God is seeking people who are willing to help. We may have needs of our own, but our needs should not prevent us from becoming benefactors to others.
