The trip so far has been crazy fun. Being with my team and experiencing the long flights and beautiful scenery has been amazing. When we landed in Kenya and got on the bus to ride to the place we’re staying, I noticed how different the culture was out here. It opened my eyes big time. We weren’t even in the slums yet and saw that people out here are living in poverty. I got pretty emotional on the ride. It made me notice how blessed I was. As we pulled into the hotel, the Kenyans greeted us warmly by singing us a song and serving us drinks and taking our luggage. It’s crazy how they are so humble, genuine and warm hearted. They are truly an example of God’s love, and I can’t wait to serve out here! It’s going to be a life changing journey.

 Troy H.

Hi, I want to share my first couple of experiences on this trip. My first experience was that it was my first time on a plane. At first, I was really nervous as we were boarding and felt a little nauseous, but I was fine as soon as I sat down. But once the plane took off and we were in the air moving smoothly, it was like I was in heaven. With all the soda I could want, I watched movies and listened to music. Iit was pretty great for a first flight. This is an experience of a lifetime for anyone, and I get to experience it all as my first time. Seeing Dubai was pretty amazing, and now we are in Nairobi , and will be going to church Sunday morning. I’m excited and looking forward to VBS and for what God has in store for us.

– Cheyanne D.

Today we had the immense pleasure of attending our Kenya church, and I can’t adequately put into words the joy I experienced in the service this morning. It wasn’t because the church was beautiful; it wasn’t because the worship sounded amazing; and it wasn’t because the word of God was out-of-this-world. It was because the church was in the middle of the slums, with people outside selling just about anything to make a buck or two, while the people in the church praised and worshipped God with full, whole hearts, dancing in their seats, in the aisles, singing how great God is. It is this faith, the faith in knowing how ABSOLUTE God’s goodness is even when living in the slums means having a home for six people that is smaller than my bedroom, and the home is set a foot away from trash that’s been piling up for who knows how long. It’s the faith I saw in this community of people, the joy they had for life that completely astounded me and broke my heart for the good. It’s just the beginning of our trip and I’ve seen God move incredible so far.

-Tracy T.

How can I even explain today… it felt like a dream. But A Dream with also a harsh realization for the people in Kenya. Walking the slums of Pangani is something I can’t even put words to, but the smiles and the hugs of people, despite their circumstance, screamed Jesus. When you walk the slums, you see endless hope and opportunities to make a change. I am praying endlessly for Pangani and all the people I saw today.

Then, it was time to meet the sponsorship children… A DREAM COME TRUE… something I’ve dreamed about, meeting my sweet Abdikadir. He was so cute and so excited about everything (getting him a fidget spinner was definitely a great buy). But his lit-up face among the many other kids we met today was amazing. I am so humbled to know a Heavenly Father who LOVES his children.

-Jordyn D.

Today was a rollercoaster of emotions. We started our day at Pangani where we received a tour of the school. They taught us the history of Missions of Hope (MOHi) from where it began in 2000 to where it is today. We learned about other assistance programs that MOHi offers other than sponsorship, one of which is offering loans to those who live in the slums. One of the leaders who helps run MOHi told us a very touching story.

A woman was posing on the streets as a disabled mother of 2 boys who begged for money. She used her boys to beg for money as she would lie on the floor “handicapped”. She made good money from this. One day her kids were picked up by the police, and when she saw this, she ran. The police were going to take the boys to a rehabilitation center until they could find the mother. She went to the police who had her boys begging and pleading to give them back. She shared with them how her husband died and left her alone with no money. She promised she would never go into the streets again. They took her up on her promise and returned the boys to her.

In her efforts to stay off the streets and keep her promise, she went to MOHi and asked for a loan of $10 ($1,000 shillings). She wanted to start a business of selling soap. Upon approval of the loan, she bought a few bars of soap, cut them into small pieces and sold them for an affordable price. Her business grew rapidly as the need grew. She now has 3 boys– 2 boys in high school and 1 in university, and owns her own house outside of the slums. With the help of MOHi and in the process of starting her business, she also became Christian.

I was blown away by her story and how MOHi helped her by providing what we may think is a small loan of $10. I couldn’t help but wonder, where would she have been if MOHi denied her loan? Or if they didn’t exist at all? Where would her kids be? The leader said something that I really liked: “OUR MISSION IS TO HELP KIDS REACH A SAFARI TO HEAVEN”.. Amen!

After our tour we did home visits in the slums of Kiamaiko. My team and I met a mother of 7 who needed prayer for her children, especially her 2 month old baby, her absent husband, and her finances. Her house had 1 mattress, a small bench and table. No kitchen, no bathroom, no living room, no nothing. Her house was  6’x4′, Can you imagine? 8-9 people live in this house. Our 3 social workers had to stay outside while the 4 of us sat inside because we couldn’t all fit. We were able to hold her baby and pray for her and her family. 2 of her kids attend the Pangani school and do very well in their studies. She said she is a Christian, goes to church, loves Jesus and has faith in Him. I was blown away by her love for Jesus and her faithfulness considering the circumstances she was in.

We then went on to meet our sponsorship kids. 50+ kids waiting to meet us and receive their gifts. I got to meet my beautiful 4 year old Ann whom I sponsor. Her smile was more beautiful than the stars, her eyes sparkled brighter than the sun, her love so pure and innocent. She didn’t even care about the things I got her and just wanted me to carry her, hold her, and take pictures with her. All I can say is, today was filled with love, the love that God tells us over and over again to reflect on others. I was supposed to reflect my love on others today and instead everyone I met reflected their love on me.

-Priscilla T.

Today, we went to Pangani school in the slums for orientation. We heard how Missions of Hope is transforming the community in the slums, the progress from the last few years and where the mission is going. It opened me up to see what God has been doing out here. It brought tears to my eyes that because of one persons faithfulness in their calling, these people are getting the help they desperately need. After orientation, we walked through the slums and did home visits. We had kids walk up to us and hug us. I just wanted to hug them all. We visited a family of four in their shanti. I was playing with the two year old and was making her laugh. Then we met our sponsor child. It was everything I’ve been waiting for and I started to tear up when I seen Ruth. I hugged her, talked to her, I showed her pictures of my family and she said she was very happy to see me. She was shy but even in her quietness, nothing meant more to me than being in her presence and telling her how much she is loved by everyone who helped me get here. This experience so far has been one I will never forget. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey.

-Kathleen

Back in February, I asked my husband if he wanted to go with me to Kenya this year to meet our sponsor children. We thought it would be fun.

Little did I know that this decision came from someone far greater than me! I have met people from Crossroads who have changed my life forever! We traveled 11,000 miles to be loved on by our kids, and to love on hundreds more!
These children don’t have the comforts that we do, but their spirits and heart outweigh anything I have experienced.

Our daughter, Katie, has come here twice in the past, and she tried to describe. There are no words.

I hope those of you reading this will venture out of your comfort zone one day. These children need to know we care!

I am thankful to God for placing me here!

Praise God!

Kathy D.

Kenya has been many of the things people say it is, and yet none of it at the same time. No words will do justice for what you have to see with your own eyes and feel in your heart. Driving to church on our first day, I remember thinking, “Jesus loves this place.” In the days to follow, I have seen the deep reality of the slums and how God’s light shines through like tiny piercing holes in true darkness. Every trip, every good work, every person that comes is another light poking through.

In the past 2 days of VBS, we have sat with 1,300 kids amid a flurry of animal crackers and milk boxes. We danced, sang, played games, took LOTS of photos, hugged lots and talked about ourselves. They want to know about my family, my friends, even my dog.

They remember Kenya team members from years and years back and repeatedly ask if we know their sponsors. Oh and they LOVE Jesus. They are children just like the ones that live in our own homes– they have personalities and emotions and struggles and quirks. And because of faithfulness, they have a future.

I made friends with 3 eighth grade girls who found out I am studying science, and we have talked about static electricity, growing plants, anatomy, and even the periodic table. The impact of child sponsorship has stared me in the face as these 13 year old girls who live in the slums of Nairobi held a conversation about energy transfer with me after church on Sunday. The necessity of God’s work is seen in the slums and the fruit of it is prevalent in the children.

Leslie H.

After 10 years in missions, there are still those times when I find myself out of my comfort zone. Back in April when I was in Kenya with our worship arts team, I had a meeting with the staff of Kiamaiko School to plan this year’s VBS. They presented me with a challenge from the 7th & 8th grade classes. They told the head teacher that they wanted more out of VBS; they wanted to be challenged. Our program serves kindergarten through 8th grade, so I could see why they were feeling a little bored. 

They asked if we could have someone preach on leadership using the story of Joseph. I normally have a teaching pastor with us, but this year I didn’t. That’s when God put it on my heart that I needed to step up and do it! Our Crossroads Jr High Pastor Craig helped me with the message, one he had taught a few days before I asked for help on this topic. It’s amazing because God gave him the exact message that the Kenyans asked us to teach on!

Watching them turn the pages in the Bibles which Crossroads donated last year as I shared the message was simply beautiful. The message was interactive using small groups. Our team helped to facilitate the questions along with the Kiamaiko staff. The challenge was clear: Rise up as a leader in your influence at school and with family, friend groups, and your community. No matter your circumstance, remain faithful and so will God. 

In my planning I decided to also teach them bible journaling using art. We passed out a drawing sketch pad, a watercolor kit and colored pencils, and other small items they needed. Cyrus, my sponsor child, was sitting in the front row and asked me, “do we get keep these?” I said yes and he almost jumped out of his seat he was so excited. When we announced to the room that everything was theirs to keep, the room erupted in applause. It melted my heart and filled me with joy! We can forget how the simple things we may have an abundance laying around the house can mean so much to someone halfway around the world.

We discussed the importance of a daily quiet time with God and helped them explore how to use art to journal. We also gave kits to the teachers. Everyone sat about 45 minutes working on their journals. The art that came out of it was beautiful. At the end of the session, I went back to Cyrus and wanted to see what he was drawing. He was still working on his, but I was blown away at his drawing of Moses! I didn’t realize what a talented artist he was. 

I was recently with a missions team in Israel and while there, God really spoke to me that it’s time for me to not be comfortable– to challenge myself as I am always challenging others to do with each outreach experience. The blessing is worth every uncomfortable moment. 

Lisa M.
Pastor of Global Outreach 

There are no words to express the things I’ve experienced and how AMAZING Kenya is. Today we had a “fun day” where all the kids had the chance to play & dance around! There was a water slide, train ride, trampoline, dance floor & a face painting station. It was the cutest thing ever seeing these kids have so much fun!

I also finally had the chance to meet my sponsor child named Guye. I got to spend time with her all day and play with her! My experience so far has been a rollercoaster filled with so many emotions. I was starting to feel a bit homesick but seeing the love and happiness from the children’s faces made me forget all about it.

Being out here in Kenya has made me realize how much these people, specifically children, need so much love & attention. I’ve learned a lot about myself so far throughout this trip, and I can’t wait to see much more of God’s beauty and creation I will get to experience.

Isabel A.

Some of the days here in Kenya have been a little bit tough or hard to experience. But today was honestly just pure joy. We did a day of fun for all the little ones from Kiamaiko and I was helping at the dancing and face painting station, so it was super fun. All the kids were trying to get me to dance like them. Obviously I failed at it, but they all had fun laughing at me so it was worth it.

One part that was super amazing was seeing my sponsor kid, Geofry, for the whole day! I was able to dance with him and paint his face, and at one point he just sat down with me and leaned his head against me. We sat like that for a while, so it was nice being able to just spend time with him and get to know who he is.

One of the teachers who I had been talking with last night saw me with Geofry and told me she was one of his teachers. We were able to talk about him, and she told me he’s a great student and has a lot of friends who are all super sweet. It was nice knowing that he has good friends and that his teachers take good care of him. Also, there was another girl, Mercy, who was super little and she was attached to me the whole day. So for most of the day I had Mercy in my arms and Geofry holding my hand. It is just so incredible how much these kids love you and how attached they get. Seeing their faces light up when you give them even the tiniest bit of attention makes my heart so happy. These kids teach me so much about joy and faith every time I see them. I am going to miss them with all my heart.

Emma M.

Today was Day of Fun with all the littles. They had such a blast! My group and I were in charge of the trampoline station and the kids enjoyed every minute of it! I met a girl named Hannah. She was attached at my hip, and she was sassy but so sweet. She was so content hugging me the whole way as we walked and talked.

If there is one thing I’ve gotten from this trip or has stuck with me already is that these kids just want love. They love to hold your hand when you smile at them. They light up with such joy. How genuine they are, how intentional, how loving, how true their love is for Jesus and for people. It’s so real and it’s contagious. Every day, even leading up to this trip, it’s been about sharing the Love of Christ, but through these kids this is all I’ve experienced. Jesus’ love for us is all those things: true, genuine, pure, and contagious.

Domonique B.

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With our team in the Mara, there is little to no signal there for blogs. So…instead of written blogs, please enjoy these photo blogs!

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Today was our first VBS in the Masai Mara. As we left our compound to go to the school, we encountered some awesome wildlife including a small herd of giraffe, some gazelles, zebras, baboons and wildebeast. What a great way to start the morning. Once we got to the school, we split up into our groups, and the plan was to go with the flow as it wasn’t as structured as with the other two schools. There are only 300 plus students at the school so the groups were much smaller. This turned out to be a lot more manageable and easier to deal with, and we were able to interact with the children more. I enjoyed that so much. My group has been snack rotation, and during this time we got to quiz the children on math. They have been taught well and I am amazed at how well they speak English at such a young age. One teacher told us that some of the students at the school would have been married by now but were not because they chose to stay in school and receive an education. This tells me that their culture is being changed for the better. At the end of VBS, we had a soccer game with the US vs Kenya. I had high hopes for our team but it faded quickly.  By the end of the game all I can say is we were proud to be standing. I’ll leave it at that. All in all another great day.

 –Doug D.

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