Guests listen to speakers as they eat lunch during a thanks giving ceremony hosted by the family if Isaac Ndungu, (blue shirt, front row) a Kenyan in Haverhill, Mass. who has persevered many challenges, eventually finding victory. H.Maina/Ajabu . Watch more pics here >>
By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News
HAVERHILL, Mass. , AUGUST 12_In spite of the slew of bad news hitting the Kenyan community in Massachusetts, with reports of back to back deaths and serious illnesses, one family took time out last week to thank God for miracles in the face of serious adversity, sending out a great message that “if you don’t quit, you win”.
The family of Mr. Isaac Ndungu from Haverhill, is rejoicing for a daughter who has just graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in human science from the Ivy league school, Georgetown University in Washington DC, and who recently attained a full scholarship for a 4 year medical school training at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, also for their father who holds two masters degrees, and is got full funding for a third one , and for a full financial aid for a teenage daughter in her 3rd year at the UMass Lowell, who recently attained salvation, making a turnaround in her life and helping her mother out in the house.
To top up the blessings, Ndungu’s wife and mother of their two daughters, Anne Kariuki has achieved a rapid and amazing recovery from a fourth stroke in four years.
Anne suffered two strokes in 2006, followed by another massive and debilitating stroke in 2009, which left her paralyzed, speechless to a point that she could not recognize her family.
Recently, she suffered a fourth but mild stroke. She has recovered at such a rapid rate to the surprise of friends.
Anne can now talk well, move herself around, recognize people and even enjoy community activities especially Sunday services and gospel crusades.
During thanks giving ceremony held at the family’s house in Haverhill last Sunday, Ndungu’s family thanked God for all that has happened in their lives, and the much needed support from the Kenyan community.
“We have gone through a difficult time over the last several years. We have been attacked by serious diseases, and with two daughters in school and huge financial responsibilities while I am the only bread winner and a student at the same time, God delivered us from all these,” said an ecstatic Ndungu to dozens of friends and family members gathered on his lawn.
Left to right, Isaac Ndungu, holding a his niece, his wife, Anne, second born daughter, Ciiru, and first born daughter, Wangari, together with guests who attended his thanks giving ceremony.
He said that when problems hit, he knew he would never quit but put his faith in God, and kept renewing his faith and his family’s so that he can face the challenges in a better way.
“I got inspired by my daughter who did so well at Georgetown University and now wants to become a medical doctor. I also changed my career from the IT field to Nursing,” said the father with masters’ degree in computer science and now holds a second masters in Nursing.
Ndungu said that many people wonder why he kept telling people about all that has happened to his family instead of keeping it to himself, saying “I am not a private person. I am public figure and whatever God has done in my life, I feel I need to share it with others so that any other person out there going through suffering can feel encouraged,” Ndungu told attentive guests.
Leading the thanks giving ceremony, Dr. Milton Were, a Kenyan medical doctor from Vermont and a close family friend of the family for many years, congratulated Mr. Ndungu and his family for not quitting on themselves when things became tough.
According to Dr. Were, many people fail to achieve their goals in life because they quit on themselves at the slightest difficulty that comes around.
He said that having faith in God, and persevering through challenges, is a very important prerequisite to a successful and happy life.
“If you don’t quit, you win,” advised Dr. Were, making the listeners repeat the slogan occasionally to rub it in.
Dr. Milton Were;"If you don't quit, you win".
Dr. Were said that he know Ndungu’s family for very many years and they have always welcomed him to their house and therefore was glad to celebrate with them the amazing miracles that have happened in their lives.
He added that he himself is an example of a person who persevered through a lot of problems and disappointments as he searched for a person to co-sign for him for a school loan to pay for his medical school.
“I almost quit on my dream of becoming a doctor, but I decided to keep praying and looking until one day, a stranger agreed to cosign for me”.
Since then, Dr. Were went on to complete his doctor of pharmacy degree the Massachusetts college of Pharmacy and health sciences in Worcester, MA, and consequently landing a job as a researcher with a pharmaceutical company in Hanover, New Hampshire.
“I am now working on my PhD program and looking to graduate very soon,” Dr. Were told Ajabu Africa News in a telephone interview from Vermont.
Ndungu’s daughter, Elizabeth Wangari is joining the medical school at the University of Connecticut where she will train as a doctor for the next five years.
“I thank you all for your support and I will do my best to succeed in my career as a doctor,” said the soon to be medical student, still in her early 20’s.
Elizabeth Kariuki, joins medical school at 24 years
Isaac Kariuki Ndungu, two masters degrees and counting
Her close to 50 year old father, Ndungu Sr. told guests that he will be joining the Mass. General Hospital this fall to start his program for a Masters’ of Science degree in Nursing for three years.
He already holds a masters degree in administration and a masters degree in Science, both from Boston University.
Ndungu aims at pushing his frontiers further by going for a Doctor of Nurse Practice degree as soon as he completes his Nurse Practitioner degree, which will last him another 3-4 years.
Meanwhile, his younger daughter is planning to graduate with a Psychology major from UMass Lowell College.
Speaking during the event, two Kenyan pastors present praised Ndungu and his family for setting a good example of perseverance and setting high standards for the Kenyan community at large.
“It looks like now we will be going to hospitals only to find that you are being treated by a Kenyan doctor,” said Bishop David Karaya, the chairman of the Kenya pastor’s fellowship in New England.
“If you young people listen to your parents, you will live a longer life and you will achieve all these blessings you see here,” said Venerable Peter Gachathi.
"This family has worked very hard and set a great example to all Kenyans in the USA", said Rev. Jeremiah Githere, pastor of Grace International church in Lowell.
Ndungu thanked all the friends and guests who came to share their joy together, including Willie Mbugua, popularly known as Uncle Willie, who arrived with Ndungu in the USA 27 years ago, and have been friends ever since.
Long time pals, Willie Mbugua , aka Uncle Willie and his wife , long time friends to Ndungu's family
“Uncle Willie has been more than a bother to me,” Ndungu told Ajabu Africa. We have been friends, raised children together, and supported each other for all these years,” he added.
During the event, guests were treated to delicious Kenyan traditional dishes and entertainment that continued late into the night. JP Muiruri, a Kenyan artist and a brother in Law to Ndungu, moved a vote of thanks before Beth Kariuki closed with a word of prayer.
Asked why an old man is spending all that time in school, Ndungu said “school is fun for me. It keeps me thinking so my cells regenerate faster, keeping me young. If you are dormant, your brain cells die and you break down faster.”
