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FROM RESCUE TO THE GIFT OF A FUTURE
Karen's Story
In case you didn't catch it in the last newsletter, the theme for this year at Oasis is 'Story.' Across culture and across time, we as human beings love stories. In the form of a movie, a book, or a good yarn, we love the unfolding of a story. We celebrate the highs and identify with the lows. We cheer for the hero and despise the villain. We wait expectantly for the struggle to end and feel relief when it all works out. We love stories because we were created to love them!
Every one of our lives has a story attached to it, which continues to be written as time passes. We are the main character in our own story but, throughout our lives, our story becomes enmeshed with the lives of other characters. This can drastically alter the course of our own story for the good or for the bad.
The idea of intertwined stories is what we want to focus on this year. How the lives of strangers separated by ocean, culture, and time can become connected to each other and have significant impact on the story being written for both characters. So sit back and relax as we tell you the story of a small child named Karen and her sponsors, the Boyack Family.
 | | Karen age 7 |
Karen's Story
When Oasis began recruiting children last year, Karen was first on the list. She was seven years old, had never been to school, had never seen a doctor, and was malnourished. Her father died shortly after she was born and her mother died a few years later. Karen, who was three at the time, was left in the care of her 16-year-old brother, David. He quit school and began selling off the family cows and eventually the family property to take care of Karen and the other siblings. As the money ran out, they moved to a neighbor's property and barely survived living off of a small garden. Though David loved Karen, he was in desperate need of help.
The Boyack's Story - as Shared by Sherry Boyack
Several years ago Bob and I felt called to follow God's command to care for orphans. While I stayed home with our own children, Bob made two trips to Kenya and was a pioneer in bringing in the first 11 Oasis children. We fell in love with all of them and began to support Oasis financially.
As Oasis grew, I was able to be more directly involved. In February of 2009, my oldest child Katy, and I served in Kenya on a mission trip. What a blessing to meet, greet, and hold the children we had known only in photos and videos until this point. One couple on the team was able to meet their sponsored child while we were in Kenya. I remember thinking and wondering if sponsorship was a role that God might want our family to fulfill at some point. How could I ever choose a child when ALL of them gripped my heart?
About two years later, God answered my question. I didn't have to choose a child. He had specifically chosen one for us. One morning, as I was doing some tasks at home, I received an e-mail from the Smith family about some new children coming to the children's home. Each of their photos and stories stirred my soul. When I came to Karen's photo, I broke down in tears and felt God nudging me. Could she really be mine? Still a little puzzled by such a strong sense of calling about this particular child, I shared my experience with Bob and our children. Again, my tears flowed and together our family agreed to pursue her. We shared our hope with Oasis and our sponsorship was confirmed. We now have a beautiful, nine-year old Kenyan "daughter."
 | | Bob and Cami visit Kenya |
The Karen + Boyack Story
Only four weeks later, Bob and Cami, had the opportunity to go to Kenya and meet Karen. She had only been in the children's home for a few weeks when they arrived. She was fearful, so fearful shy she ran and hid. However, slowly but surely, Karen warmed up to them during the week. God used simple, daily interactions with her to break down walls and open her heart.
 | | Sherry and Katy in the Bush |
God continued to move and made a way for Sherry and Katy to travel to Kenya to meet Karen in July of the same year. By then, she was a different child - warm and engaging. For a week, they held her, read to her, laughed with her, and spent quality time with her. One of the highlights of their trip was going into the bush to meet Karen's older siblings. It was an unforgettable moment as Karen's family greeted them, thanked them for caring for Karen, and accepted them as part of their family by giving them treasured gifts to symbolize their new relationship. In a small, mud hut in the bush of Africa, God brought two worlds together through the love of a small child.
Karen's story has taken a beautiful turn. She now attends school, eats three healthy meals a day, and enjoys the love and support of a staff and family that is committed to seeing her thrive, now and in her future. She is no longer scared and shy but is a joyful, vibrant bundle of energy! And the Boyack's story has also taken a beautiful turn. Sherry says it best, "The relationship Karen has with God and our family is priceless and eternal. I thank God often for showing me His heart for us and for orphans all around the world. The joy of partnering with Him to care for a child so dear to His heart is overwhelming!"
This story is one of the many being told at Oasis. Please continue to remember Oasis as we work together with you to alter the outcome of the lives of orphaned children.
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