On Mission – Part 3

Read Part 1 here.
And Part 2 here.

On the next day, we visited the Child Development Center – the focus of the KidsHeart Initiative.

The goals of the Child Development Center:

• Coordinate and develop community resources to care for children orphaned by AIDS or at risk of being orphaned
• Early childhood education
• Address physical and medical needs
• Meet spiritual needs of children and caregivers

We toured the grounds of the Child Development Center and planted some trees.  It can get pretty hot there, so the trees were meant to provide some much needed shade.

We traveled to the Catholic Center and awaited the arrival of the children (there was only one bus – we were dropped off first and then the kids were picked up).

When the kids arrived, we greeted them like they greeted us on the previous day.
We ran up to the bus.

When they stepped out, we said,
“Jambo.” {Hello.}
“How are you?”
and
“Sasa?”  {literally means “now,” but it’s a Kenyan greeting.”}

They responded with,
“Jambo.”
“Fine.”
“Fit.” {pronounced “feet” – it’s the answer to “sasa?”}
and
“Mazuri.” {Good.}

Smiles again everywhere.  How full of joy are our hearts!

An opening ceremony officially kicked off the Vacation Bible School.
The older kids went one way.  (Not sure what all they did – I was with the younger kids.)

The younger kids were divided up into 4 groups.
They rotated through different centers.
Crafts.
Music.
Recreation.
Bible Stories.

Since Patrick and I were sort of tagging along on this adventure
and had no help in planning any of the activities,
we got to just follow the kids around and help out where we could.
This was great because I got to experience the VBS like the kids did.

One might think it was difficult to help or teach kids that didn’t speak English,
but it wasn’t really much different than teaching young kids who do speak English.
You have to model what you’re doing and use hand gestures.
Besides, it was mostly about loving on them anyway.
I made many rafikis {friends} on this day!

The kids were intrigued with our hair.
They liked to “pet” us.
A highlight of my day was when two of the children were playing with my hair.
They liked to touch the hair on our arms as well – I guess it’s because they don’t have arm hair.

We spent one more day with the kids.
At the end of the third day, there was a closing ceremony in which the children were presented with gifts that had been donated.
Each child heard his or her name called and received a gift – a stuffed African animal and candy.
The children liked their gifts, and we enjoyed seeing them receive the gifts.

It was hard to see the kids get on the bus and leave.
Some did not want to get on at all.
We said our goodbyes and waited for the bus to return for us.

Patrick and I did not want to leave Kenya.  If fact, had God saw fit to provide a way for us to stay right then, we would not have come back.  The goal of the trip was for us to report back and share what was happening with others so they could support Child Development Centers all across Kenya.

Here is one of the main reasons I felt compelled to write about my mission trip to Kenya.  This is from my journal I wrote on the trip.  Reading this makes me realize the importance of mission outreach – no matter where your mission field may be – in your backyard, in the Americas, or overseas.

I feel very blessed to be able to show these kids that people care for them and God loves them.  My favorite piece that Sammy did was his photo balloon.  He wrote on the outside, “I love God.”

God allowed us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to children who needed a physical touch from our Heavenly Father.  We held the children, touched them, and let them touch us – physically and spiritually.

God is Love.  Love is a verb – it’s an action.  -this is from the devotion book Buckner International gave us on the trip.

There are over 60 passages of scripture dealing with orphans and their needs. -devotion book

Nothing replaces the touch of the hand or the face to face encounter that says, “You are important, you are cared about, and you are loved.”  Love has no language barrier.  Love is universal.  That’s the way He works; it’s simple and as easy as a touch or a smile. -devotion book

P.U.S.H = Pray Until Something Happens -devotion book

Lord, I just thank you so much for this experience.  I am so privileged to serve such a great God.  I pray for all of those around the world, especially the orphans, that need your touch.  I pray for those of us who get to be Your hands and feet – may we serve You well.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading what’s been on my heart lately.  Patrick and I often struggle with taking the leap and becoming full time missionaries.  We know we’ve definitely been called to participate in certain mission opportunities, but we’re not sure we’ve been called to full time mission work yet.  Our hearts are open.  I believe that when and if we feel the call, we will follow.  For now, we are working on listening to God and trusting His plan for our life – whatever that may be.

 Thanks for reading!