Today we are confronted with headlines regarding athletes who are overpaid, over-privileged and disconnected from the realities of ordinary people. But there is a wonderful story about a loving family on the high plains of Kenya that is truly making a difference. The man was incredibly gifted with some of the fastest feet ever to touch a racetrack. Yet what makes him special is not the gold medals he has won, but the heart of gold that lies within. With his wife, he runs a far greater race today. Alan Abrahamson, a Los Angeles Times staff writer, chronicled their story on February 25, 2001, in an article titled "Grand Kenyans."

Anyone growing up in the late 1960s or early 1970s will recall the marvelous career of this man when I mention his name, Kip Keino. What we remember is the graceful and determined stride of this world-class distance runner. With a quiet dignity and gentle determination, he drew all of us into his humble world of perseverance. He burst on the international scene in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. He and fellow African Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia would become arguably the most famous faces in sub-Saharan Africa. These men and their achievements on the world stage were significant as role models for the emerging African states.

Today, Keino "remains a living legend in this East African country. A man, who could afford the sort of classy ride befitting a man of distinction, yet drives around this high-plateau country in a beat-up four-door sedan. Others suggest he buy something more upscale, if only as a nod to appearance." But as Abrahamson captures the essence of Kip Keino, he quotes him as saying, "The money is needed at home. I have people depending on me. I can get where I need to go." Kip and his wife, Phyllis, are running better than ever in a far greater race.

"Mum and Dad care for us"

Abrahamson shows how the Keinos over the last 30 years have taken in more than 100 orphaned or abandoned children and made them their own. Each of these children has started grade school in their care and completed the high school requirements. Beyond those numbers, the Keinos have just realized a long-held dream, which is the opening of Kip Keino School with an enrollment of 250 youngsters.

"Boys and girls line up in the school's quadrangle each Monday morning as they sing the Kenyan National Anthem and dance to songs such as the sweet Congolese melody that proclaims God's mercy. Just down the road, giraffes nibble at the tops of acacia trees, their long necks outlined in the sun against the vast African plain." One of the adopted students, Faraj Kiptarus Keino, wearing his school uniform of purple sweater, white shirt, tie, gray shorts and knee socks, announces with pride, "Mum and Dad care for us!"

But Abrahamson is quick to note that Keino and his wife see nothing extraordinary in the path they are pursuing. He relates Keino's humble assessment, "We feel they need help. They need shelter. They need a mother and a father," and, after pausing, he added, "I came into this world with nothing. I will leave with nothing. While I am here, I should be mindful of those people who need help. They need food; they need clothing. They need shelter. They need love."

Where did it all begin? In 1972, Keino came home with four Olympic medals, but the real Olympian effort was about to begin. "By the end of the year the Keinos would have eight children in their house." Three would be born to them, and the others Phyllis found standing in line for food in front of a police station. Being a nurse, she told her husband the children needed food.

This was the launchpad event leading to what is now the Kip Keino Children's Home. The children who come to them, old enough to have a memory, normally bear a horrific story.

Often it includes the reality of one or both parents dying of AIDS. Other children are the offspring of mentally disabled women unable to care for their children. One such story relates how four young girls ranging from 6 months to 12 years old were left behind for the Keinos. Their mother was so drunk she beat her mother-in-law to death, whereupon the woman's husband beat her to death, then killed himself with insecticide.

A lot of work

Today, not all the children are living under one roof. Half of the young people are now away at high school, boarding schools or college. Of the others, Abrahamson informs us that 18 are living at the first farm that the Keinos bought. This 200-acre farm is called "Kazi Mingi," which in Swahili means "a lot of work." Twenty-three younger children live on their second farm known as "Baraka," which in Swahili means "blessing." Indeed, it is a blessing for these children. One of their adopted daughters, Alice Cheruto Keino, now 16, puts it this way, "I would be somewhere else or maybe I would have died."

But realizing blessings takes vision and realization that they don't all come at once. The Keinos had a vision of not only adopting children on their own, but also starting a school for others in the community. Due to substandard schooling facilities and road conditions that would impair a quality learning environment-or even access-it was essential to build a school, not only for their own children, but also for the good of others. The Keinos felt a school with tuition could generate income that would help maintain a good learning environment and provide scholarships for needy kids. As Kip Keino summed it up, "They are tomorrow's leaders of this country. They must have education."

For of such is the Kingdom of God

What motivates this outstanding couple? What allows them not to simply drift into the good life that easily could be theirs based upon his name? The Keinos are living out basic biblical principles. In Luke 18:15-17, we discover a classic story. "Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.'"

Christ's comments echo the spirit of the allegory in Ezekiel 16:4-6, which shows God's concern for the people of Israel who had been orphaned and disadvantaged. He lifts them and offers them dignity! "As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you, to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you; but you were thrown out into the open field, when you yourself were loathed on the day you were born. And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!'"

God's approach toward Israel showed His intentions and hopes for all peoples. Yes, God truly loves all children and longs to bring all nations into a state of dignity and prosperity. Unfortunately, in today's world, children are often lost in the shuffle.

Regular readers of World News and Prophecy and The Good News magazine realize that the Keinos, and all well-intentioned people like them, will not be able to save this world in its present state. That will happen only by the sure coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth to restore not just one child or one nation, but all humanity. An insight into that godly world was given to us through the prophet Zechariah 8:5, "The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing...."

Run in such a way

A wonderful world is coming, but the Keinos haven't waited for it to bring needed change. They have chosen to do something now. How about you? You see, Kip has been running all of his life, and he is not about to stop. As former International Olympic Committee President Juan Samaranch remarked, "This man-what he has done, what he does-is fantastic!" Told later of Samaranch's remarks, Keino furrowed his brows in puzzlement and asked, "For what?" At age 61, Keino is still running better than ever. In the greatest race of his life, he has incorporated Paul's encouragement found in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

In many ways, Kip Keino is still way out ahead of the pack. As he looks forward to reaching his present finish line, his example cites the familiar millennial refrain of Isaiah 30:21-"this is the way, walk you in it."