I’ve been traveling the last week with little time to sit and reminisce on my time in Kenya. Already it seems as if that time quickly passed by and life has whisked me away into the business of a new season. I’ve caught moments, however, where my mind wonders back to the African countryside with mountains in my view, the vibration of a Kenyan dirt road beating beneath me, and the sounds of laughter and love surrounding me in the people I was with. In my last blog I shared about my team I was blessed to serve with, but I didn’t quite get around to everyone. Those of us from the States combined forces with a group of Kenyans that were passionate, full of life, willing to serve in whatever capacity, and so quick to show love to all they came into contact with- including each of us.

 

Some of those on the team were university students, with the opportunity to study because of the efforts made through Matanya’s Hope. These students were pictures of the successful work that Michelle has been doing in Kenya. Much of what we saw during our time there was the beginning of her work, or the still in progress, where there was hunger and hurt and destruction. But these students had been through the program, had received a high school education, and now are working towards the goals and dreams that Michelle has pushed them to follow their entire lives. Borris and Patrick we’re two students that worked heavily with Michelle. Not only did they have a passion for their studies, they had a passion for their faith. These two guys were sold out for Jesus, and I’m sure they will never know the impact it made on me to see them walk that out daily. Patrick was back and forth between classes, but what a guy to be able to maintain his grades while also pouring his heart into this ministry. One night we got to visit his apartment where he and some friends had prepared for us a meal- with lots of chapatti!!!! Borris traveled with us most everywhere we went, taking lots of pictures along the way! He is studying journalism and wants to be a photojournalist, and is so good at what He does! He captures such beauty and emotion in each photo, and enjoys the moment at the same time. Both guys were so fun to get to know and share life with for a month and will be so greatly missed by our team!

Other students that served with Matanya’s Hope we got to hang out with many nights at the MH house enjoying soccer and yummy food cooked by those studying to become a chef! Kelvin and Greg kept us fed and boyyyyy was it delicious!! Ambrosse was another student that lived in the house with us that we got to hang out with, also! These became some of the sweetest relationships formed over the month spent in Kenya. All of them welcomed us in so quickly and so many memories were made with them.

I don’t know that these students know how much I learned from them, but a majority of what I took home with me were things I gained from spending time with them and getting to know their hearts. All of them are such hard workers at whatever they are doing- whether it’s washing their clothes, cooking us dinner, playing with children at the schools, or helping build a house for a family in need. They are willing to work and work with a heart totally invested. Each of them were so curious about each of us. They asked questions about our lives and our families and genuinely wanted to listen to our stories. They loved us so easily. There are so many differences between our cultures and our daily lives, but these guys were students just like each of us are students. Though many things don’t look the same for us, a lot of things, and struggles that we face, do look the same. There was something so powerful about hearing the differences and listening to each other, watching each other, and learning from each other. So much was to be gained from those relationships and I truly hate that an ocean now lies between us.

 

We also got to hang out with some pretty crazy cool adults, too!! Majali and Henry were our bus drivers for the entire trip and we had SO much fun with them! Majali had the privilege of driving all the Troy students around 😉 He has such a heart of gold and is one of the most genuine souls I have met. He is full of love and laughter, and always had some good tunes to help us through the long drives (never forget- burn away the chaff, Troy 7!) Majali is so full of knowledge about his country and so good at what he does! Henry was the driver of the other van, but was employed by Matanya’s Hope so he stayed with us everywhere we went! This guy is just the greatest! He is so full of joy, and truly the most chill person I have ever met. He’s always ready to engage in some convo about Jesus, or to love on some little kids that might be running around nearby! One of my favorite memories from the whole entire trip was one night in Nairobi when us white girls just wanted some domino’s pizza and all the nearby stores were closing very soon! Henry put all his effort into getting us some pizza and oh my gosh was that ride so much fun- and the pizza was SO worth it!

 

Troy 7 with Majali ^

The pizza 🙂 ^

 

I’ve heard the saying many times after a mission’s trip that “I was changed much more than I could’ve ever changed any of them.” It’s such a cliché saying, but yet so incredibly true for my trip to Kenya. I have been impacted by each of these guys in so many ways, and in ways that I hope I can now implement into my life and never walk in the same way again. I wish to work with heart and soul as they did at whatever I do, passionate about my work and my God. I wish to love others as fiercely and as easily as each of them loved us. And I wish to listen and to learn from those around me in all that I do.

 

In all of this I have known the Lord more and more- His heart, His character, His grace, His creativity, His desire, and His presence in our lives. What a beautiful God that we serve that is sovereign over all peoples and all nations and can unite students from the United States with those across the world in Kenya, Africa to learn and grow with each other. He is so good!

 

To my Kenyan friends- I miss you all dearly already! Thank you for changing me for the better. You’ll always be so near to my heart, and hopefully one day we will meet again!