Charles Mulli: We Are Family

Christian Heroes: Then & Now

by Janet Benge, Geoff Benge

When Charles Mulli was a child, his family repeatedly abandoned him, and he lived in fear of his abusive, alcoholic father. With an extraordinary will, the young Kenyan struggled to feed and educate himself and, encountering hope in the gospel, found a reason to live and to forgive.

Later, as a multimillionaire and father of eight, the entrepreneur sold his businesses to devote himself to caring for street children throughout Kenya. Since 1989, Charles and his wife, Esther, have taken into their protection thousands of the most vulnerable through Mully Children’s Family, revealing in the midst of brokenness God’s astonishing redemptive power (1949- ).

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, Africa, History, Audiobook, Childrens

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 22, 2017

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t agree with his all or nothing approach. He eventually did wonderful things for the abandoned children of Kenya. But by selling all of his businesses and properties for these children, he failed to provide for his own family of a wife and 8 school age children. Why not sell some and keep some?!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Momma P and I read this aloud together which made it an extra enjoyable experience. His story is beautiful and such a picture of God’s deliverance, redemption, and goodness. Twas encouraging to learn how Mully and his family live as the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth caring for the oppressed and poor and willing to give everything up to God.

[Melissa B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Mulli was abused and neglected as a young child whose father was an abusive acholic. Yet, through determination, hard work, and good luck, he went on to earn a fortune. His family was dismayed and shocked when he decided to start taking in street children.

This is an encouraging book to read, but the graphic abuse in the beginning is difficult to read.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were definitely some difficult things to read in this book. There is much suffering and some hard subject matter to discuss with my kids (ages 5-13). But it's such an encouragement to see God work through the lives of real people. It's so valuable for my children (and me) to hear stories of Christians living their faith in very real ways.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the YWAM biographies are very inspirational, and this one may be the most. At this writing, Charles Mulli is a contemporary, born in 1949 and still active in his vision of helping the children of Kenya. The book starts out as an amazing rags to riches story about the life of this little boy, Charles, who was first deserted by his family at the young age of 6, mainly because of his drunken father. Eventually Charles overcomes the homeless and hungry lifestyle, works hard and becomes a wealthy man, gaining much respect in the community and church, and with a nice wife and family. However, Charles feels a deep calling to help the other homeless and hungry orphans deserted in Kenya, and in the process looses his money and his status. His family remains loyal, and Charles perseveres under the most intense troubles to make huge humanitarian and Christian advances with the orphans, and also with his father.

[Jodi Escalante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love the life and story of Charles Mulli (Mully). I watched the documentary recently and I’m so glad I read this book. As usual (always?) the book gave so much more insight and many more details about his life, faith and work.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man lives and breathes right now and lives a life that follows after God. He said, God use me- and God does.

It is so motivating to read about others living out their faith!

[Brenda Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I can’t believe I had never heard of this man and his work. If you lack faith or need to improve your prayer life this is a book for you.

[Caroline Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great biography! Slow to start but very eye-opening. If you are thinking about humanitarian missions or social issues in missions I think this was great for those areas. Also, very inspiring if you have a passion for resource reallocation and entrepreneurship and want to see practical and inspiring ways in how to engage with your giftings in a mission-minded environment to help those in need! One of my favorite biographies of the series so far. :)

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were some really hard parts I skipped over from his childhood since my girls can be sensitive, but this was such an inspiring story. Charles Mulli is following God's calling on his life still to this day. The amount that God has accomplished through the faithful service of this man and his family is simply astounding and nothing short of so many miracles one after the other. Any story written about his life would be well worth your time.

[Hilary Swiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shuffled between relatives in Kenya, Charles feels lost and alone. He is making plans to take his life, when he goes to a revival and hears about Jesus. He then makes it his life mission the share the Truth with street children like himself.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring biography!

Sometimes, we tend to think that missionaries lived a long time ago, and there isn't much work left to done, but Charles story is current.

He is changing thousands of lives for the better in Kenya.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story from such a God fearing man! I hope to watch the Documentary that was created of his life soon.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this man's story! This book moved me to tears... If you are looking for a story full of Christlike love and forgiveness, this is for you.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! As Hudson Taylor said, "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply".
I highly recommend this encouraging book.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a man so given and surrendered to God and how God showed His glory among the people, especially in the family of Charles Mulli.

[Evelina Zhuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a testimony. Was in tears so many times throughout this story.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was and is ,no doubt, an instrument in God’s hands.

[ᴀᴍʙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked that Charles' dad became a Christian and you can learn how God will answer your prayers if you pray to Him." -a 6YO reader

[Hannah of the Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A multifaceted, challenging story of a Kenyan man whose life was powerfully changed by God and went on to serve him in incredible ways. Well worth the read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses the life of African missionary, Charles Mulli.

The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.

[Lynn Carrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good current mission story

[Kalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read all year. Charles Mulli is one of the only heroes from this series that is still alive. I had my daughter read the book as well and we were both really inspired the way God has worked in his life for the last 75 years.

[Joanna Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept us riveted from beginning to end. Mulli grew up homeless and impoverished, became a self-made Millionaire, and then gave up everything to become a father to hundreds of children and transform the ecosystem of a plot of desert. The Mulli Children’s Family still thrives in Kenya. An amazing testimony to the way God answers prayer and cares for the fatherless.

[Mindy Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 9 year old son. It is a sad & rough story with beautiful redemption by the hand of God.