We left LAX Friday afternoon, traveled all day Saturday, and finally Sunday morning a 2:30am arrival to Gracehouse greeted by a crew of the incredible staff with enough food prepared to feed an army, and a brief meeting of the best warm welcome, and 4:30am Sunday morning bedtime, long days of travel but full heart. Sunday morning 7:30am ready to leave for 10am church at a lively energetic and passionate God church service clearly honoring God with worship and a message. Monday morning we got up and headed to Pangani to learn all about MOHI and the amazing life changing ministry and opportunities of hope for the kids sharing the love of God. We then toured the communities that the kids live within the slums, which was difficult and heart breaking of the living conditions that families live in, although God was there in the midst of it all. The last part of the day was meeting our sponsor child for the first time, Reagan, tomorrow we meet Morgan our second of three sponsored child.  The meeting with Reagan was emotional like the entire day and incredible with an immediate connection. Exhausted at the end of the day, very grateful and humbled ready to rest for the next day.

Suzanne P.

Today was our first non travel day, and what did our team do running on three hours of sleep? We went to church, which was located in the middle of the slums. It was nothing I expected but better than I could have imagined. There is no better sound than hearing children praise the Lord!

During worship, the children broke out in a dance party. Grabbing our hands, we danced and sang songs of praise. It was a sweet glimpse of what Heaven is going to sound like. I wish I could bottle up this experience and have you experience it. They really demonstrated how to love our neighbors.

The Pastor preached an amazing message on having faith over fear. Something so powerful he said was, “When faith walks through the front door, fear jumps through the window.” What a great reminder that even having faith as small as a mustard seed is better than having fear.

After the service, we were able to hangout with the children. I got to meet this beautiful little girl and held her. Within a few minutes, she was falling asleep on my shoulder. These children don’t even know us yet they pour out the love of Jesus to others so freely. I’m challenged to love others the way Kenya loves.

Megan B.

Greetings from Kenya, Africa. I had an amazing experience Sunday at a church in Kimiako. I caught the attention of a very little girl that was two or three years old. When our eyes connected, she began to walk towards me. The scripture Jesus says,“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14, immediately entered my thoughts. Then, she reached out her hands for my hands, and we touched. Another scripture immediately came into my thoughts, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 18:3. 

Humbled by this little girls small action I saw God. The pastors hook in his message was Faith comes in the door and fear goes out the window; the Psalmist writes fear not for I am with you thy rod and staff comfort you. That little girl was fearless in coming to greet me as I was fearful. Be fearless not fearful!

Dave B.

Although the past couple days have felt long from travel, I felt renewed in joy and love. Sunday we got to go to church and the way the people of Kiamaiko worship Jesus is so refreshing and fills you with joy. They LOVE Jesus and are full of pure joy which is very evident, not only that but it’s contagious. During all the singing and dancing all you could see were smiles, my heart had never felt happier than in that moment. 

During our day in Pangani, I felt a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s one thing to see pictures of slums and living conditions but it’s different when you are actually in it. My heart hurt a little seeing the conditions the people here live in but I am blessed to have seen it as its changed a lot of my perspective on my own personal life. Additionally in the day, I met one of my sponsor children, Beth, and she was so cute and sweet! We spent a lot of time jumping rope as it’s her favorite thing to do and she is incredibly good at it! One thing that stuck with me was she continued to thank me and hug me. I felt so loved by her. It makes my heart happy knowing she knows how much I care for and love her. I additionally met with a boy, Elijah, he had the cutest smile and was playing with one of the gifts he received. Today was a wonderful day, full of love for and from other people I interacted with! 

Love, Ashley 🙂

Today was the first day of Vacation Bible Study VBS in Kiamaiko, and what a blessing that truly was. Seeing the smiles of each one of those kids and the genuine love of Jesus was inspiring. Each time we donate to MOHI, hope is given to these children and they know they are loved. With VBS we had four rotations including snacks, games, crafts, and puppets! The kids loved each one of the rotations and had so much fun. I was part of the puppets rotation which was a blast. It gave me so much joy when the children would laugh every time the puppets would do something funny, while also listening to the skit about Jesus’s love. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to share this experience with everyone on the team and grateful for the honor of meeting every person I encounter.

Ava B.

Today in Nairobi, Kenya we were at the Kiamaiko school site. When we arrived at the school the children were singing to us and it was beautiful. This was my first time being in Kenya and also my first time ever doing a Vacation Bible School VBS. We walked a short distance to get to our school and when we arrived the children were singing to us from the roof of the building. We also joined in worship on the roof with them, it was amazing!!!! I was on the crafts team so we handed out cowboy hats and handkerchiefs. It was precious to see them put the hats on and color their handkerchiefs. All the children are so fun and sweet!!! I was blessed to see my sponsor child Zainabu again and I was so happy to see her. I was blessed to meet her mother who has a beautiful smile just like Zainabu. This experience so far has been amazing and I look forward to doing my next missionary trip.

Ninon M.

Today we did VBS at the Kiamaiko School. I had the opportunity of being on the puppet and worship team this year. It was so much fun to tell a story to the kids about how they can shine their light for Jesus and be a light to others in this world. We also got to sing different worship songs with the kids and it is always such a joyful time praising the Lord together.  Today I sponsored my very first child through MOHI. This is my 3rd time coming to Kenya and I’ve always wanted to sponsor a child but it never felt like the right time, This trip I decided to take that step and it really felt like perfect timing. My girl’s name is Kyliee and she is the sweetest most precious little girl. My heart is overjoyed and I am so extremely grateful that I have been blessed enough to be able to do this. I hope to sponsor more kids if/when I come back to Kenya in the future. I will remember this day forever and the sweet time I had to spend and play with my sponsor girl. 

Becca B.

Today was a very sweet day that I will remember forever. I was on the VBS puppet team. When I first found out about being on this team I was a little nervous since it is a little out of my comfort zone. However, it has been so amazing to hear how much these kids love Jesus. We did home visits today and got to pray for two families. One was a grandmother caring for her four grandchildren. They lost everything due to the flooding and the grandmother is unable to do any work due to severe leg pain. We had the privilege to love on her and give her words of encouragement as she goes through this difficult season. 

Finally, I started sponsoring my first child today. She is six years old and is so precious. Her name is Rihanna and one of her favorite things is jumping rope. I am so excited to watch her grow and see the amazing woman she will become.

Annelise G.

Today was amazing and something I have never experienced before. Our team got to do a color run with the 6th to 8th graders. Each group would first do a warm up, which was a set of exercises and dancing, before they would enter the fields. Then once they would get onto the fields they would be running around getting color on them but would have to stop and do jumping jacks and jumping squats. 

I loved being part of the color run and just watching all the kids have so much fun. This is something they have never experienced before in Kenya. They learned the importance of exercise is for them and why they need it in their life. Being able to have the opportunity to put color on the students and staff was so much fun for me as they could run around the field getting the most color. We did three different color runs for each grade and each one was different. All I could see was them experiencing joy and how happy they were too have all that color on them. I also have never had so much color on myself which was really cool to see. 

At the end we were able to end with exercises and giving them water with hydration packets and also protein bars. I loved to see their excitement and how they experienced this color run. Today was a great day and yes I was able to see the light in all of these Kenyan children and how beautiful all the color was to them. 

Nicole B

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

Today our team did some amazing and incredible work for Jesus!!

Part of our team participated in the Youth Freedom Conference and the other part of our team led out the FIRST COLOR RUN EVER for Mission of Hope International MOHI! God was in it all for sure today! Even with a drizzle, nothing kept the team or kids from experiencing the time of their lives. I was blessed to participate with the Conference team in sharing how worshiping is a way of healing and turning your sorrows into joy.   This conference is so important with these junior high students to give them important tools for coping, communicating feelings and experiences. These children have been through horrific trauma with life in general and the devastation from the rains. This conference has taught them so much that most of them remembered what we taught them last year.  They were receptive and responsive. Jim Anderson walked them through breathing exercises and it was so sweet watching all of them participate. The color run was EPIC! Our team stood hours in drizzling rain conditions with joy and smiles for these kids. It was so incredible that the staff all joined in and even a visit from Mary Kamau, Founder of MOHI, who took a run through it herself! These kids have never seen anything like this in their lives. It was amazing!

Today was also our farewell day, and if you have ever been on this trip you understand it is the most unfavorite day. We say “farewell until we see again” to the staff and our sweet sponsor children. They put on a sweet little program for us and ends in gift to us. Lots of tears and more tears! I’m beyond proud of our church in the difference we are making across the world in a very special and poor place. They know, love and pray for us at Crossroads. Our sweet boy Molu was just the sweetest and most kind. Our last moments together were special. Thankful he has a great family and he is thriving. We are also invested in his life. We prayed over him and he pinky promised he would continue his studies and school. He’s such a smart little boy. These social workers and staff are so special and are the backbone to MOHI in the communities in how they care for their families. The very special part of this trip and today was experiencing it with my husband. I knew the people would love him and he would love them! So blessed to serve on this team and be on staff at our church that is making a difference at home and across the world in connecting people to Jesus and community.

Debbie B.

It was an early morning and a long bus ride to Joska but I was looking forward to today’s adventure and what surprises the day would bring.

I love hearing the chatter going on in the bus. Friends talking, others spending time getting to know each other better – sharing experiences- laughing. 

Joska was incredible. Such a wonderful safe place to help those young girls get a chance to escape their circumstances and have an opportunity for a better, Christ centered life.

They also have a day school where they educate and feed over 1000 children. 

We were so impressed when they showed us the new medical facilities that have been built. Now that it is built, the next step is to get the funds to equip all the planned areas. 

We had been told to insert ourselves in amongst the learners at the Conference. 

As I was looking for an open seat among the girls, a young lady named Barbara came up to me, took my hand and told me to come with her. She gave me her seat and shared a chair with the girl next to her.

We had been told that when instructed we were to gather a few rows of girls and break out into small groups.  This gave us the opportunity to talk with the girls one on one. My 20+ girls were all so sweet.  I fell in love with all of them. 

We made a quick stop at another rooftop shop where many of us found items we couldn’t live without. 

We got back to Grace House to discover that they had planned a Kenyan celebration for the groups who were staying with them. There was singing and dancing and a feast of traditional Kenyan food. 

Loving Kenya even more,

Kathi B.

Today the Crossroads Team left for Joska. We traveled by highway until the last mile which was a rough dirt road, at least by California standards. Once we arrived the beauty was all around us including green trees and shrubs and the prettiest blue and gold birds. 

After welcoming performances from the primary grade children and a wonderful dance recital from the Joska Dance Academy, the Freedom Conference was underway. 

Jim and Patti Anderson shared 10 tools to manage anxiety, fear and depression along with help from several other team mates.

I sat with a sweet girl named Faith who is in Form 1 ( similar to a Freshman). She was very attentive and engaged the entire time. After the presentation, we broke out into groups and discussed goal setting and how to begin steps to work towards goals. 

The word that kept coming to me was “transformation’. Joska school is the place where these young girls can transform from surviving to thriving.

Janie W.

When asked to do the blog (I’ve been ducking and dodging), my first thought is how do I put into words what I have been feeling and experiencing… Song is the first thing that came to me. To hear these little ones sing, I imagine it is what the choir in Heaven will sound like. Next is Joy, to see their smiles and their energy, no matter how exhausted, you want to dance and worship with them.

Finally, love, oh the hugs, the high fives, and the fist pumps!! God is definitely in this beautiful place.

Theresa C.

WOW! The week just got better and better, we went to Joska for a conference. We were sitting in the crowd with 20 students that knew each other. They were so receptive to the message about Jesus, They tend to depend more upon each other. Everyone stated their life goals and how they would go about achieving them. The younger children were very happy to see us. They all yelled “Aloha” to us, loved to give us high fives and take pictures with us. We were so astonished to see the new medical center that was being built and to meet the new doctors. The week was exhausting but great, doing the color run at the beginning. Awesome.

Sean E.

This first week at Kiamaiko was one for the memory books. God was 1000% present throughout this week and He was moving more than I’ve ever seen before. One of my top moments from this week was meeting my sponsor girl Tracey AND sponsoring my new little boy George. I’ve been sponsoring Tracey for 2 years yet I didn’t realize the impact that I had been making while I was sponsoring her. Getting to meet her and just give her the biggest hug was one of the best moments of the trip. The coolest moment came two days after I met Tracey. The day that I had met her I had felt called to sponsor another child, a little boy. So Tuesday night I went on the MOHI app to see who still  needed sponsorship and I saw a picture of the cutest little boy. I thought nothing of it and just kept doing what I was doing. The very next day I was doing VBS in a class and I saw a very familiar little face. I asked him his name and he told me, George. I knew instantly that this little boy was meant to be mine and that God had a hand in this moment. I decided at that moment that I would be sponsoring him. The most unique part about this experience is that I got to have him on my lap as I sponsored him. Not everyone gets a chance to do that, actually very few and I will cherish that in my heart forever. George and I got some very sweet time together that afternoon that I wasn’t expecting. I’m looking forward to the rest of the time here in Kenya!

Steph H.

To sum up this past week in Kenya is an impossible task! There is a wide range of emotions as I recall those experiences.

Meeting our two sponsored kids was precious! Participating in VBS, the Freedom conference (mental health awareness/goal setting) and cheering kids on at the Color Run was so much fun and special for the kids.

Visiting families in the slums was truly eye opening and difficult, yet inspiring as we listened to the MOHI staff social workers who pour themselves into these children that have been through so much.

In closing, seeing the teen boarding rooms at Joska really brought home some perspective. Everything they own has to fit into a metal trunk. Perhaps with all of our excess in America, we can pare way down and share so much more! It truly makes a difference!!

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased!”

Patti A.

Today, we traveled to the Mara to begin our second week of VBS. Upon arriving at the Lodge, we had the chance to rest and debrief after our first full week. We then ventured into the local community to learn about their culture. They warmly welcomed us with a tribal dance, inviting our team to join in, which was incredibly fun to be a part of. We also learned about the various roles within the village and saw familiar faces from last year, which was heartwarming.

I received my tribal name, Nashupie, which means happy. This name resonates with me deeply, as I am genuinely happy in this season of life. This year has been filled with many accomplishments, and with my wedding around the corner, I am truly excited. Returning to Kenya for a second year has been a completely different experience from last year, and I have witnessed God moving in many ways during our time here. I am so grateful to be a part of God’s work here.

Reflecting on our first week, one unforgettable moment was seeing the Nairobi community come together after many homes were destroyed by flooding. People opened their homes to those in need, despite having limited space. During our home visits, a woman named Anne welcomed us into her home. As we sat there listening, many people came in because her home was their current safe place. This trip has taught me the importance of extending open arms to everyone, not just those closest to us. Everyone’s story is worth listening to.

Tracie

Today we started out by leaving Gracehouse heading to the Mara for our flight in the morning. I made sure that I packed everything I needed and I took my breakfast with me on the bus and we headed to the airport. We took some small planes that had like 6 or 7 of us in a plane and it took about 25-30 minutes and it was very smooth. We landed and we took Jeeps to our hotel in the Mara and we had some down time. I layed down on the hammock for a while and I also played Yahtzee with Hanna, Nicole, Janie, and Patti it was really fun. After that, we drove in the Jeeps to 2 blanket stores and bought some blankets. Then, we went to the Massai village and we all learned all their customs and their culture. They met us and they were dancing and some of us joined them and when they were done they took us into their village. Then they showed us their jumping competition and I joined them and had a lot of fun. But then they showed us their houses and how they make all their houses in 3 weeks with wood and cow dung. Then, they showed us how they make a fire without a matchbox and rubbed wood against a knife and scraped the hot ashes into a pile of wood and it created a small fire. Then they had a chance for us to shop for bracelets and they also sold clubs and I bought one thanks to Kirk. After that we headed back to the hotel and we ate dinner and we went to bed. But today was a great day and I’m excited for what’s going on tomorrow!

Ryan P.

Today we had the opportunity to go to Mara. We had such an amazing day starting with kids and parents singing and welcoming us. VBS was filled with many amazing moments, my favorite was getting to play soccer all day with the kids. 

Riding a jeep here has never been like something I have experienced before. My mom has a Jeep but I’ve never gone flying out of my seat in here Jeep. I have been loving every moment that we have had here whether that be with kids or the team.   

Taylor G.

Today marked our second day in the Mara. Starting off the day, we got to take in the glory of God’s creation as we made our journey to the school. Being able to take in the beauty of this country and its people is truly incredible. As we reached our destination, my team and I got the pleasure of beginning VBS with the kids and providing medical care to the village community. As a nurse, it was a gift to be able to use my area of expertise to help those who don’t have access to medical care all year round. Being able to show love to the families through medicine reminded me the privilege we have as Christians to be the hands and feet of the Lord. As we ended the day I sat back and reflected on the day and remembered that a beautiful creation such as this is the evidenced of a beautiful creator; and the love we show to others is the evidence of His existence.

Kaileigh V.

The trip has been amazing so far and today was no different. I was in the games rotation for VBS today and I was amazed at how energized, kind, and loving these kids are. Even with the language barrier the kids knew most of what we were saying and it was great when they started calling me by my name when they learned it. To circle back to the beginning, the jeep rides were so fun with many conversations and interactions, but when we got greeted by the kids that was special. The head guy of education was there and quoted scripture at a public school was amazing.  My bus driver, Dennis, translated for me and it was an amazing culture shock for me because back home people don’t want kids sharing anything about Jesus in public school. Speaking from experience, it was special as other groups shared they heard the kids sing songs about the feeding of the 5,000 and about God’s grace and love for us.

Matthew P.

I am so thankful that God placed us in the Masai Mara to bring healing to this community of God believing people. For the past 2 days, the team of four  registered nurses (Ninon, Shawn, Kayleigh, and I ) worked together with the local school nurse Grace, to assess and implement medical treatment for approximately 85 sick men, women, and  children in the Nkoisuash Masai Community. The community is located in an arid and desolate area of Kenya, and the locals have minimal access to health care/have to travel very far to get medical care. Crossroads Kenyan Team is the only one that holds medical clinics in that village, and the people expressed their sincere gratitude for all the care that was provided. The team rocked, and I thank Crossroads for giving me and my teammates an opportunity to serve using our nursing talents. All glory to God.

Rosemary M.

Today was day 2 of VBS in the Mara. It has been one of the many highlights on the whole trip. We got the privilege to tangibly be the hands and feet of Jesus. As you may know there have been catastrophic floods in the pasts month here in Kenya that devastated these communities. As a church, Crossroads has patterned with John Keshe, and provided provision for nearly 50 families within the community with the tithes and offerings received. As a team we got to pass out bags of nourishing food that will provide for them for many weeks with blankets and new mattresses on behalf of Crossroads.  We learned about all that Crossroads has done for this community with sponsoring a well and providing for the entire community. Next we went back to the school and finished VBS.  We played soccer with the kids, games, made bracelets in crafts, passed out fruit snacks, milk and bread, and overall got to worship together. It had been a privilege to see how God has been working on the big project and small details. We got to experience how we are blessed to be a blessing. 

Kailey K.