Volume 44, #3 - December 2006 - Houston Baptist University

“Every time I think of
HBU I get emotional. If
I hadn’t come here and
met the people whom
I met who changed my
life and inspired me
with their generosity, I
strongly believe I would
not be doing what I’m
doing today.”
Rev. Paul Ligono BS ’92
How One Man’s HBU Education is
Changing Lives a World Away
This is not just the saga of a young man who received a great
college education. Or the story of that man’s journey, filled
with the unknown, or even just an account of a life well-lived.
It’s a tale of a man who took that great college education and
experience to make a difference. And it’s that difference that
has changed and shaped the lives of thousands in Sabatia,
Kenya.
That young man is the Reverend Paul Ligono BS ’92. Born
and raised in Kenya, his dream was to come to the United
States. After many prayers, he was granted a visa and left
Kenya, arriving in Houston with just a small suitcase and $100
in his pocket. He had no plan, no knowledge of how he was
going to finance his education, no where to live, no idea of how
he was going to eat.
“When I arrived in Houston I had to decide what
university to attend,” said Ligono. “I knew I wanted a Christian
environment and I knew I wanted to be involved in some way
with the Christian education system in my future. Besides those
things I just felt as though God wanted me at HBU.”
14
— by Sara Hawkins
Ligono was able to stay in a friend’s garage apartment for
free, and another friend gave him a truck for transportation.
Yet, he still hadn’t answered the greater question of how
he would fund his education. “My first day on campus, I
immediately went to the Financial Services office to put the
hundred dollars toward my tuition. I was there a number of
times to discuss ways I could pay. The only way I knew how
was to pay as I could,” said Ligono.
“On my second day of class I was a little discouraged
because I did not know how I was going to pay for my tuition,
much less the books that I needed to learn the information
being taught in class. I was upset, scared, I had no clue as to
how I was going to afford everything. All I kept saying over
and over was ‘God, I’ve done all I know to do ... I don’t know
what to do.’”
That day was difficult for Ligono; it was all so
overwhelming. The only thing he knew to do was place his fear
and trust in God. “I went out to my truck and wept; I didn’t
want anyone to see me. I prayed. I just sat and prayed for
God’s direction.”