What Has Happened, Has Happened
What Has Happened, Has Happened
of our new friends in Bondeni coined that phrase and we laughingly made it our mantra. Flexibility is one of the keys to a great mission trip and boy did this team knock it out of the park.
We adapted and adjusted and scheduled and rescheduled and packed and unpacked all while smiling and loving on the children and staff at Bondeni and Chumani.
Our days have been full of laughter and tears, sweat and blood, and joy and sorrow.
As I reflect on these days my heart is full of thankfulness for this team of 10 that God brought together, for the awesome work and vision of MOHI, for the beautiful children of Bondeni and Chumani and the incredible staff that keeps it all going day after day.
Two highlights from the week for me have been: meeting our 3 sponsored children and going to church with the community at Bondeni. That little face on a card that you pick up from a table becomes a real live person that you quickly bond with in a few short days. It is instant love.
Another highlight for me was worshipping with the folks at Bondeni- listening and participating in the spirited singing, dancing and praying, it is indescribable.
Last Sunday morning, the pastor at Bondeni stood up before the message and began singing a beautiful hymn of the church in Swahili. The words were unfamiliar but the melody flooded my soul and I began to sing along with him in English,
"Nearer my God to thee,
nearer to me,
E'en though it be a cross
that raiseth me
Still all my song shall be
Nearer my God to thee,
Nearer my God to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer,
the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer my God to thee,
Nearer my God to thee
Nearer to thee."
Over 7,000 miles away in a very humble church setting, these beautiful, familiar and poetic words reminded me that God is just as near to the people of Bondeni and Chumani as He is to us back in the United States.
The motto of their church is posted on the podium for all to see:
Love God
Serve People
Go Deep
Sounds somewhat familiar to our own mission statement at Snyder, doesn't it?
The similarities of our congregations are much more significant than our differences.
What has Happened this week in Kenya has Happened in our hearts.
We are different and better people. We hope you see the difference!
Come to Kenya, get on a plane and meet your sponsored child. You might get to experience what Has Happened Has Happened.
of our new friends in Bondeni coined that phrase and we laughingly made it our mantra. Flexibility is one of the keys to a great mission trip and boy did this team knock it out of the park.
We adapted and adjusted and scheduled and rescheduled and packed and unpacked all while smiling and loving on the children and staff at Bondeni and Chumani.
Our days have been full of laughter and tears, sweat and blood, and joy and sorrow.
As I reflect on these days my heart is full of thankfulness for this team of 10 that God brought together, for the awesome work and vision of MOHI, for the beautiful children of Bondeni and Chumani and the incredible staff that keeps it all going day after day.
Two highlights from the week for me have been: meeting our 3 sponsored children and going to church with the community at Bondeni. That little face on a card that you pick up from a table becomes a real live person that you quickly bond with in a few short days. It is instant love.
Another highlight for me was worshipping with the folks at Bondeni- listening and participating in the spirited singing, dancing and praying, it is indescribable.
Last Sunday morning, the pastor at Bondeni stood up before the message and began singing a beautiful hymn of the church in Swahili. The words were unfamiliar but the melody flooded my soul and I began to sing along with him in English,
"Nearer my God to thee,
nearer to me,
E'en though it be a cross
that raiseth me
Still all my song shall be
Nearer my God to thee,
Nearer my God to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer,
the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer my God to thee,
Nearer my God to thee
Nearer to thee."
Over 7,000 miles away in a very humble church setting, these beautiful, familiar and poetic words reminded me that God is just as near to the people of Bondeni and Chumani as He is to us back in the United States.
The motto of their church is posted on the podium for all to see:
Love God
Serve People
Go Deep
Sounds somewhat familiar to our own mission statement at Snyder, doesn't it?
The similarities of our congregations are much more significant than our differences.
What has Happened this week in Kenya has Happened in our hearts.
We are different and better people. We hope you see the difference!
Come to Kenya, get on a plane and meet your sponsored child. You might get to experience what Has Happened Has Happened.
Posted in Kenya Youth Mission Trip
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