Thoughts on the Kenya Journey

The Journey Team returned yesterday afternoon safe and sound. I want to thank everyone for praying throughout this entire journey process. Serving with a team made up from two different churches was a true blessing. I want to thank every team member for making this Journey a special one. I’d like to share some highlights from the trip. World Orphans believes in the local church: both here and around the world. We believe that churches working in partnership are the most strategic and long-term way to accomplish (ec)3: strengthening churches, rescuing children, and reaching communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Church
Our Journey team served along side three Nairobi churches: Fountain of Life Nairobi, Fountain of Hope Church, and Fountain of Life Juja. Our team members ministered within some of Africa’s most impoverished communities through Home Based Care visits to HIV affected households. Through the HBC program, these churches are keeping children vulnerable to an orphaning event under the care of their mother or father. Team members blessed the HBC families with their presence, praying for them and giving each family a Bible.

Team members also visited widows who are part of a Micro Credit program designed to give these women small, interest free loans, to start or strengthen small businesses, empowering their capacity to care for themselves and their children. With minimal capital investments, the church is truly making a difference in the lives of these widows and children.

In addition, our Journey team split into three sub-teams to help provide two community outreach events at three different church locations: church-based children's sports outreach events and free church-based medical camps. Between the three churches, there were 175 children who got to participate in an afternoon of fun and games using the His Kid’s Sports curriculum. The teams did a great job of playing and interacting with children from within and around these church communities.

The free medical camps held on-site at the three churches were a major success! In 3 ½ days, over 1500 women and children came to the three churches to receive free medical care and 150 people took advantage of free HIV/AIDS testing and counseling.

These church based outreach events are a great way to heighten the visibility of the local church. Connecting the HIV issue to the local church sends a wonderful message of acceptance and grace. The most important ministry that occurred during these events was the sharing of the Gospel through one on one prayer. All three churches experienced people coming to faith in Christ. The tangible love showed through these outreach events provided an opportunity for the church to reach the community with the Gospel. Praise God! The impact of church based outreach within communities was evident on Sunday at the first ever service held at the new Fountain of Life church in Nairobi when, in addition to the existing 70 members, 200 new adults attended the service.

The Child
I could tell many, many stories of how children were blessed by the presence and love of our team members. The team ministered to orphaned and vulnerable children by spending time with them; praying with them; playing with them; holding their hands and listening to their stories. Perhaps the biggest blessing to the kids was our presence with them. The children within the different communities really enjoyed the sports outreach events. Many children were provided with much needed medical attention as well. The junior high kids at Plum Creek Community Church were able to raise money to provide the boys at Fountain of shoes and the Waterstone Church team provided each boy a new toothbrush and toothpaste. It was a real blessing to watch children be ministered to in so many different ways.

The Communities
As I mentioned earlier, the three communities in proximity to the local churches were truly blessed throughout the week. All churches experienced new attendees this past Sunday and as I stated above, Fountain of Life had 200 new adult visitors to their service. Our teams truly blessed some of the most impoverished communities through the home visits into the Mathare, Kyole, and other slums. Throughout the week many people came to faith in Christ whether on a home visit into the slums, visiting widows, at a medical camp or at the Sunday worship services. The Spirit of God was redeeming people from all tongues, tribes, and nations. What a blessing to see the hand of God at work and, to be a part of it. There is nothing more encouraging then seeing a local church making a difference in the communities they serve.

In closing... There are many more stories to tell; many more amazing things that God did during our Journey to Kenya. It was a true blessing to see God work in and through the lives of each team member and I pray that the Journey in their hearts will continue as they passionately pursue Christ and his Kingdom.