2018 Kenya Mission Trip

Introduction to New Life Academy in Bomani

Our day began with visiting a government school. The school has 1800 students. Classes have 80 - 120 students with 1 teacher. They welcomed us in Kenyan style with songs and recitations. We presented them with a gift of much needed water tanks followed by a tour of the campus. We have enjoyed a good relationship with the school over the years. I am personally challenged by this community that works so hard, with few resources, to make a better life for their children.

Traditional Dances

Traditional Dances

Singing

Singing

Planting a tree

Planting a tree

Precious children!

Precious children!

The children at New Life Academy welcomed us by singing us onto the property before making their presentations of songs and recitations. After the children ate lunch, we enjoyed a special lunch prepared for us with traditional Kenyan dishes. It's my favorite meal of the year! We enjoyed visiting with the teachers while we ate and afterward, enjoyed some fun and games with all the staff.

Unwrapping hidden treasure

Unwrapping hidden treasure

Teamwork to transfer balls

Teamwork to transfer balls

Depicting the Garden of Eden

Depicting the Garden of Eden

Gifts for staff

Gifts for staff

So much laughter! So much joy! We walked today in the spirit of partnership. Partners across the world to reach this community with the Gospel and change the trajectory of hundreds of lives. 

Delicious lunch

Delicious lunch

Ginger brought chips and salsa for the Kenyans to try. It was a hit!

Ginger brought chips and salsa for the Kenyans to try. It was a hit!

I had the joy of spending time with one special young lady today. Her sponsor is my friend and that connection brought her into my life too. One year ago she told me between sobs that her father passed away suddenly. We shared some moments of tears and and encouraging hugs. She wanted her sponsor to know so for just a little while I got to stand in the place of my friend to comfort her. Today, when we saw each other again, it was a joy fulled reunion until the tears flowed again. She misses her father terribly. He was the breadwinner of the family and the mother is not well. Older siblings are trying to help fill in the gaps, but food is often scarce and life is hard. We are helping this family get back on their feet in several ways, but the journey into loss and self sufficiency is hard.

So we share their burdens and joy, successes and failures with them. We cry with them, hug them, pray for them and love them with all the love God flows through us. We are humbled to be a part of this and so very grateful to act as Fox River's representatives in this part of the world.

Please know that you are making a HUGE difference in the lives of so very many people! Thank you!

 

The Team Has Arrived

The team has arrived!

Hear from Jessie:

After 26ish hrs of traveling we all made it- all of our bags maybe not so much but 18 out of 20 is not too bad of odds! 
After a much needed shower and laying down for a few moments- we went off to sort all of the supply bags and prepare for our activities today at Crossroads Vipingo.


Jenna and O’Neal came to do our orientation and help us know what to expect for the next week as we serve with our partners here in Kenya. This trip is not an experience but an opportunity to be part of something. O’Neal challenged us to journal and ask ourself three questions:

  1. What has God placed on your heart today?
  2. How did you see God work today?

  3. What is one thing you can take to heaven with you? Other people! 

Denise shares:

We hit the ground running after the team came in today. We came back to the hotel to shower and get set for the day. The day started with an orientation meeting with our missionary’s, O’Neal and Jenna Nyanje; learning about Kenyan culture, their experiences here, what God is doing in Kenya and how Fox River is making an impact.

The afternoon was spent at Vipingo where we watched our kids sing, got to know the staff and learn about the center. It was a great time of team building and getting to know our Kenyan partners. Then we made our way over to Life Spring where we got to show God’s love to all the little blessings in the center.

The team hung in there until about 5pm when we left Vipingo. It was down hill for most of them after that. We made a stop at Tuskys (Kenyan Walmart) to pick up a few things. It was probably the fastest we have ever had a team in and out! They all headed to bed early tonight. Pray that they all get a good night's sleep and their body clocks change over quickly.

Sending Out the Kenya Team

This past weekend, we as a church, prayed over and sent out the Kenya team to represent Fox River in our mission works in the villages of Bomani and Vipingo. 

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Will you join us in praying for this team? On Friday, four depart to prepare for the team's arrival. The main group departs on Sunday. Pray for safety and health as we seek to bless, encourage and serve all that God puts in our path!

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