Kenya Youth Mission Trip

This last June I was given the opportunity to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, where I spent several days experiencing an overwhelming amount of God’s creation and love. Not only did this trip allow me to immerse myself in a culture I knew almost nothing about, but it also gave me the opportunity to make relationships with children who have stayed in my heart ever since. Being in Kenya did require a fair adjustment, and I can’t say refilling my toilet tank before being able to flush or taking showers out of a bucket are aspects I desire to implement in my own home. However, every unplanned circumstance or “Welcome to Kenya” experience we faced made for the most impactful and memorable trip of my life.
One thing Ms. Susie told us several times before our trip was that we were there not just to teach, but also to learn. I can confidently say the people of Kenya have taught me things I had yet to begin to think of. The children of Bondeni showed me a desire for education I had yet to experience, which has instilled in me a whole new sense of gratitude for my own education. Additionally, the type of worship we participated in at Joska and in the slums opened my eyes to a whole new method of praise. I had yet to be a member of a service where loud horns were blown and people went on stage to simply jump and dance to celebrate God’s glory. Not only did the worship alter my perception as to what a church service could be like, but hearing the way prayers just poured out of every person on stage and in the congregation was astonishing and has given me the desire to learn to pray this way as well.
However, what I found most profound and impactful from the people of Kenya was their overwhelming trust in God. Saying “I trust God” takes on a whole new meaning when this means that we are trusting God even though we may not have a roof over our heads, or enough food to feed the family, or even any food at all. However, many people in Kenya are experiencing this, yet have a stronger sense of faith and more trust in God than those of us that do not have this degree of hardship. Hearing the testimony of people that have had everything stripped away from them, yet love the Lord with all their hearts and know that He will provide, has left a defining mark on my life. I have always known that I am “blessed” and live a very fortunate life. However, after spending time in Kenya I have come to realize being truly blessed is experiencing the love and salvation that is acquired from a right relationship with God, and this happens as we take a step back and wait to see how God will provide for us. This is the type of blessing I am now pursuing to guide me in the decisions I make and the way I serve God’s kingdom.

By Bella Garcia