Servant of God
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dr. Florence Muindi was one of 20 children born to one of her father’s two wives. Growing up in Kenya, she had one dress and—sometimes—a pair of shoes. She hauled water, bathed in a river and shared a bed with two sisters. Because school was one of the best things in her life, Muindi studied at night by kerosene light to
earn good grades.
It seems like a harsh history, but Muindi loves her past. It formed her future.
“All of it was preparation for what God wanted me to do,” Muindi said. “These experiences molded my heart to be sensitive to the needs of the poor.”
Muindi is the founder and executive director of Life in Abundance, Southeast’s partner in Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Kenya.
Her love for those who struggle shows up in Life in Abundance’s outreach projects such as medical clinics for those who never have seen a doctor, work with
vulnerable children and orphans, outreach programs where the church cares for those who have AIDS and in microenterprise projects that enable fathers and
mothers to care for their families.
In 18 years, Life in Abundance has become a model for ministry across the globe, empowering local churches to transform their own communities.
Those who work with Muindi on mission trips simply call her “Dr. Florence.”
Growing up, Muindi’s dream was to become a nurse. At home, Muindi’s parents taught her about Jesus. With 20 children, there never was much extra food in the house, but Muindi said they never went hungry. She watched her mother cook meals over an open fire in the yard and wash laundry in the river.
Though Muindi couldn’t go to school one year because her father couldn’t pay the fees, her parents believed in her and encouraged her to reach much farther than her
dreams. It might be why she sees possibility in people whom others dismiss.
“Who would have thought I was a possibility?” she said. “We all are made in the image of God. Everybody is a possibility.”
Muindi’s personal encounter with Christ during a revival at school changed her life.
“Everything looked different,” she said. “When I went to draw water from the river, I saw my poor neighbor’s house through different eyes. I began to see people in
need and look for ways to help them.”
When Muindi asked to be baptized at her church, leaders told her it was not possible because of her “family situation.” Muindi’s father had been relieved of his duties
at church when he took a second wife, but a year later, church leaders reconsidered and allowed Muindi to be baptized. As is custom in her culture, Muindi adopted a
“Christian” name when she was baptized. She chose the name Florence, which means prosperous, to signify her new life in Christ.
High scores on national exams allowed Muindi to go to medical school, which was far beyond her dreams. In college, she met her husband Festus, who has a
doctorate in missions with an emphasis on leadership development.
He now works with church-based microenterprise businesses.
As a newlywed, Mundi was the medical officer in charge of health in a women’s prison. That was a training ground, as she worked with women who had murdered,
stolen from others, used drugs, fallen into prostitution, dealt with HIV/AIDS and raised newborn babies in prison.
At that point, she believed God began speaking to her about starting a Christian health organization that would work through local churches. The organization was
built on John 10:10: “ ... that they may have life and have it in abundance.” Nine years later, that organization, Life in Abundance, was legally incorporated.
Today, Life in Abundance works in seven countries in Northeast Africa. More than 100 communities have been trained and empowered to care for their own needs.
Thousands have been trained to make a living in skill-development programs, more than 1,200 orphans are in special programs run by local churches and more than
20,000 youth have been in sexual health programs.
All Muindi’s brothers and sisters know Christ and are involved in a relationship with Him. Eight of them are in full-time ministry. Her mother is a strong prayer warrior who prays for her children, grandchildren, members of her church and Life in Abundance.
Muindi’s organization continues to expand into difficult countries.
“We meet so many who are waiting for good news,” Muindi said. “Many are wondering ‘what else?’ They’ve seen that the ideal of their religion falls short. They’ve lost
hope and are desperate for good news. Churches want to do something, but are not sure how to change their own communities. That’s where God allows us to help.
We fail by not going to them.”
Muindi has been in dangerous places, and she is prepared to lay down her life, but she said she believes she will continue to live “until God is done with me.”
Muindi believes the partnership between Life in Abundance and Southeast works well.
“We can think through options together,” Muindi said. “We can be truthful. We even have the freedom to fail. It’s a trust relationship. They know us, and we are not
ashamed to be known by them. They are like family.”
International Outreach leader Dr. Charlie Vittitow met Muindi on a 2002 short-term mission trip to Afghanistan. They have been ministry co-workers ever since.
“Dr. Florence has taught me to look at our approach to missions in new ways,” he said. “So many at Southeast know her as a leader, a dynamic strategist and
appreciate her heart for God. I learn from Dr. Florence.”