Amy-connecting with the staff in the centers and the people in the villages. Seeing how truly thankful everyone was for everything even the littlest of things. God showed me how to step out of my comfort zone and openly talk with people I didn't know about Christ and extend an invitation to come to church.
Amanda - I think my trip highlight was working in the lives of the children inside the schools as well as in the villages. I met so many wonderful kids that I know God put in my life for a reason. One girl in particular really impacted my life and I made a true and hopefully life long friendship with. I think that God's work in my life was showing me that although we may not be able to completely change the circumstances certain people live with, we can use the resources we have to help them in every way possible. Not only that, but we can shower these people with love and affection so that they know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they are loved by us and by God.
Jeff-connecting with the kids and the teachers in the centers,as well as the villages. God Used me in a way i had not even thought of,I was able to ask people I didn't even know about their walk with Christ,and I gave them mine. Many highlights of the trip,too many to say all at once.
Austin- creating a connection with the kids made the trip so much more meaningful. The joy seen in the eyes of the kids knowing someone loves them lights up a room more the an any material thing could. Through this trip, God allowed me to seek after Him daily through prayer.
Jason -
My highlight of the Kenya trip was seeing the kids faces light up when they saw us return to the school after having been there a couple days earlier. A few kids that I had really connected with that previous day sought me out to spend more time with me, and when they found me, they had the look of finding an old friend. That's when I really got it. We weren't there just to play with these kids, we were forming real, lasting bonds with them. I went to Kenya to show the love of Christ to these kids, but ended up receiving it from them many times over. In Kenya, God taught me that I need to share His love with everyone, not just those for whom it is convenient. He also taught me to trust Him more deeply than I ever have before.
RonScott - Being able to hold the hands of the children and to look into each of their eyes to see the Love that they have for us and how grateful they are for just the simple hand holding that we c an provide by being onsite verse just sending money. Being able to see the differences in the children in our centers verse the villages the smiles that the kids we are able to have in the centers just smile more and seem to love life a lot more. Having those special connections with a couple of children that just knew when you needed the hand holding... God is amazing how he works thru each and every one of us. I was able to also spend extra time with a couple of the teachers and see how they lived, talk about the simplest of things to you and I but things they did not know about (I.e. Ice fishing, contacts, snow). God taught me that even though we could not help out every child we are impacting the lives of those that we can. Each of us came on this trip not knowing which children we would give shoes to nor expecting the heart breaking look of a child's eyes asking why not me? It's thru Gods grace that we are able to make the impacts that we do on the lives of the children put in our paths thru God's plan and not our own. I didn't know what to expect on this trip but to hear in our group sharing how many people in the group I happened to be in the right place at the right time for each of them to have that moment of the trip was amazing. My eyes and heart are open to the needs of the children and families living around our centers. The work we do and the lives we touch will continue to make an impact on the children, their families, and in the future their own families. Our work is not just for today but for years beyond what any of us will see or fathom. Hearing the story how one of the teachers was saved by the sponsor system and how they work with the children is living proof that what we are doing today will continue to pay it forward. I was blessed to faced many new and out of box opportunities that mad me step outside my comfort zone that will impact my behaviors and way of thinking.
Tara- This trip has really changed my life and how I look at things. I am a new Christian and didn't know much about anything or why I was called to go on this trip. I trusted in God and he showed me a lot throughout this trip. One thing I learned on this trip is the value of a friendship and how nice and willing people are to help you and just be there for you. I didn't know anyone really going on the trip but I know now that I have 27 new friends that I can come to and talk to when I need someone. They didn't judge me or even care if I didn't know much about being a new Christian. They were just there to help me through my walk with Jesus. I thank God for all the people he has brought into my life and I am so happy to be in their's. I also learned from God to not be so selfish and to really appreciate the things I have in life. I think we all take for granted the things we have and focus on the things we don't have or wish we had. I got in a fight with my family members before the trip and I look back at it now and realize was that really worth all that fighting? There are children who don't have food and don't have places to sleep but they put a smile on everyday and laugh and have fun. They don't worry about the things they don't have but focus on the things that God gave them. My favorite part of the trip was going into the villages to put shoes on the children's feet. I really got an understanding of how everyone lives and how poor the village can be. I couldn't believe how big an impact it had on the children to just get one pair of shoes. I know I can't save everyone or help everyone there, but to see the smiles on the children when they do get a pair of shoes is priceless. It's sad to see but I know we all made a difference in those children's life this past 10 days. I thank God for allowing me to be there to help those children and I hope he continues to show and teach me more as I continue my walk with him.
Karen - I have no single highlight, rather many. Spending time at Vipingo and Bomani helped me to understand our mission at these centers and how much the children and teachers appreciate our help and how God works in all of our lives. Building a mud hut with the owner and his brother helping build also was a humbling experience. Hanging mosquito nets in the village really touched my heart as we went into the homes of these people and hung the nets over the beds of the children. Some just had a wooden frame and bracing with cardboard as their mattress. After hanging them we invited the owners and their family to pray. I felt God working through us as we were able to work and pray with these families. I have made many friendships and have seen what little these people have and how happy they are. They welcome us with open arms and pray that God will continue to show me to look upon this awesome opportunity and reflect all that I have seen and learned.
Jordan Krueger- my highlight of the trip was making the children smile every day. That always gives me a good feeling to make a difference and that the children remember me each year I go back. I really did not have one or even two highlights. Hanging mosquito nets really helped me see how they actually live everyday and how much I take for granted. It really did open my eyes and helped me see what have not paid much attention to. And praying after each house was great. Everybody on the trip was so fun to be around and if I had to pick one group of people to be around for another two weeks I would pick this team over any other year. We were always laughing and talking and supportive of each other which is more important than a lot of other things. It really did feel like one huge family. God has done a lot of things for me on this trip. He has helped me become less shy. He helped me do that by sending this large group over and getting to know everybody. He has also helped me to become more grateful. He has done that every year but this year seemed different. I just pray I can go back soon and continue to see these kids grow up.
We brought hope to the hopeless. Love to the precious children of God and a path of truth that brings forth Faith if we choose to follow Jesus path of life.
Art- seeing the wonder working power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of our Fox River Christian Church Kenya Mission Team interacting with our Kenya Team is one of the highlights for myself, When I would start a Bible verse in KiSwahili the children would enthusiastically complete the verse with me. The "Beach Boys" wanted to know more about what we were doing in Kenya, and about our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, and they all were appreciative for the Tumaini, Upendo and Imani bracelets and the opportuniy to earn some Shillings. Being able to help the sick ones is always gratifying for me, especially the little baby girl of the Kenya teacher Lois, whose lungs were so full of fluid from pneumonia that she wouldn't survive without antibiotics, and the power of our prayers. Meshack Ouma is going to continue teaching Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, clearing the airway from tracheal obstruction, basic dental and hygienic care to the villagers of Vipingo and Bomani. Jeff, Jason and Austin were great teachers and I really enjoyed working with them. Seeing little rosebud Serena blossom into a beautiful flower during this mission trip, and watching my own daughter, Lori enthusiastically participate in all the activities filled my heart with joy. We really are a family team through Christ Jesus.
Sarah- there are so many, it is hard to pick just one. Activities day in Bomani. After what seemed like an unsuccessful day, I was a bit frustrated by how it went, and mad at myself for being frustrated. When I found out we had an extra half hour with the last group, I actually thought it would be stressful. But, when Jessie told them they had the choice to play the musical instruments we brought, the children came to life!! They began to play the most amazingly beautiful songs together while singing and dancing around the room! It was so special. A once in a lifetime moment! God has shown me that he is the ultimate provider of all of my needs. How I can fully trust in Him to supply me with whatever I need in every moment. Patience, strength, courage, peace..... I am to rest in Him, and He will work through me. It is truly amazing (when I allow it to happen, that is!)
Sue.
It is truly amazing to see and feel the difference our church is making in the villages of
Bomani and Vipingo. They need us. It was an absolute joy for me to work in the baby class, with my special child Susan. I was able to spend The day with her. Learn about her and her family and feel a connection to them. I cannot pick one special hilight, it was a unique and humbling experience. I learned so much from the people of Kenya. We are all Gods children and we need one another's love. I don't know exactly how this trip will affect my life, but God has a plan for me!
Gina- Hmmm which one do I pick? my highlight of the trip was being able to literally get my hands dirty on our community service day, building a mud hut actually with the homeowner and brother. Just knowing that we as a group were blessing him with his house, and getting dirty of course! Also helping Anne in her kitchen in Bomani. If I could help her ease her burden that day by stirring and sweating over a very very hot stove cooking cabbage and chicken it was well worth it, just getting to see the kitchen workers in action with out complaining of there circumstances. Even though I was sweating buckets I wouldn't dare complain. Feeding 280 kids there meal for the day was so eye opening too and the lack of food wastefulness was at an extreme minimum. I'm so grateful for what I have and thankful for another opportunity to serve our kids in Kenya I love and miss them all!
Judy-God is amazing! The work that we did together as a team in Kenya would not be possible without God's love working in our hearts. From that first moment when we arrived at Vipingo and I saw those children singing and smiling to the moment we said goodbye on Tuesday after the community service projects, I felt filled with a strength and joy that was overwhelming and consuming for these children, their families,the community and our great God. Placing the shoes on a little girl in Vipingo village made me cry as I wondered why God would chose me for this great privilege to serve in this way. I thank God each day that he allowed me to join His working in this way. I am greatly changed in my heart due to this experience and the love that I experienced from the students, teachers, community members and my friends from this team. I can only pray in thanksgiving for all God has blessed me with. Thank you Lord and thank you to the Fox River Team for this amazing experience.
Julianne-My trip highlight happened the first day that we were in Africa. I have such a heart for the children of Africa and had been longing to spend time with them and let them know they are loved for a number of years. Even though I had been counting down the days to the trip for almost a year, it just did not seem real. Looking out the airplane window at the Nairobi airport made it obvious that I was finally in Africa,but for some reason I just could not wrap my brain around it. Our first opportunity to serve the kids came later that day, and it was in those first moments that everything became real for me. As we pulled into the school at Vipingo all of the children were waiting for us outside singing, joy and excitement etched onto every one of those precious little faces. As I took in the wonderful scene everything clicked, everything was real, and the emotion of that moment was so overwhelming in such a good way. That first moment with the kids set the tone for the rest of my trip, and it was such great way to start!
The lesson that I learned from the trip was generosity. I was humbled time and again by the generosity and gifts that were showered upon us by the staff at Vipingo and Bomani. They had so little, yet desired to give us so much. As I watched the crowds from the village move through the feeding center in Vipingo on community day, I had an overwhelming desire to change their lives for the better. As this desire grew stronger, God spoke to my heart, one simple word: give. I have so many resources, and with those resources I can touch so many lives! I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to use my new perspective on life, and I am so glad that I discovered it.
Becky- I found great hope in the good that the centers where doing. The kids at our schools seemed happy and full of life, our teachers where wonderful, and they all had such caring grateful hearts. I was very impress by the centers, it really was a testament to what education, food and God in your heart can accomplish!
Thank you so much for coming along with us on our trip to Kenya this summer- I hope you are blessed by hearing about our story's and please ask anyone of us about our trip and what God has been doing in our lives because of Kenya.
