#74 Who Would Help a Cursed Family? - James Omondi

James Omondi grew up in total poverty in a small village in Kenya. His village viewed illness and misfortune through a lens of fear and mysticism which left James and his family labeled as cursed. His childhood was shrouded with judgment, rejection, and isolation. But when all hope seemed lost, God intervened.

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📷 Photos

Family photo from approximately 5 years ago. James' mother is seated in the middle. James' late wife Mary is seated on the right.

James' mother, Monica. Her house on the right was built by the missionaries from Finland in 1990.

2 of missionaries who raised James. Photo from 2019.

On my extreme right with white hair is Mama Maija-Liisa from Finland and her husband Elisha Oyugi. They took care of me. They continued to mentor me until I came to the USA in 2022.

On my extreme left is Hanna Oyugi (their last-born daughter), and her husband Stephen Machatha. I grew up with Hanna in Homa Bay, but she currently is in Boston with her family.

Mama Maija-Liisa from Finland

Mama Maija-Liisa passed away in Finland in March 2024. I call her "Mama" because she raised me and other kids at the orphanage

James being interviewed on Compelled Podcast

James and his 3 children today [left to right: Fountain (10), Mark (17), and Noella (8)]

🔗 Links

• If you’d like to follow James or contact him directly, you may do so through Facebook here.

• Homabay Children’s Home (the orphanage founded by Finnish missionaries that took in James and his family)

🎧 3 RECOMMENDED EPISODES:

• #30 Forgiving My Kidnappers - Gracia Burnham: Gracia Burnham was serving as a missionary in the Philippines when she and her husband were kidnapped by Muslim terrorists. They spent over a year in the jungle as hostages enduring hardships of all kinds, including constant shortage of drinking water, near starvation, and 17 gun battles. Even more difficult than the physical challenges were the questions Gracia wrestled with. How could God still love her? And how could she forgive her enemies?

• #61 Orphaned, Yet Not Alone - Susie Jacobson: As a little girl, Susie lost everything that mattered to her. Her home, her family, and her friends. But in her loneliness, she found One Friend who would never leave her behind.

• #69 Hope for the un-Chosen - Steve & Susan Vinton: For the last 30 years, Steve and Susan Vinton have fulfilled a unique calling - serving as the hands and feet of Christ to rural communities in Africa.