Category: Missions

August 12, 2018

This morning I sat in my church in Troy, Alabama, singing along with the congregation proclaiming “what a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus!” Just over a month ago I sat in a local body of believers across the world in Kenya, Africa, singing the exact same song. My mind drifted back to those moments of worship when I was surrounded by people that spoke a different language and walked a different life, but were one with me in the body of Christ- brothers and sisters united. Life has picked back up again here in States as I’ve settled back into my dorm room at Troy University and will soon begin classes and work. Though life continues on in its normal fashion for me today, I can’t seem to brush away, nor do I want to brush away, the thought of all those that are gathering today somewhere way across the ocean singing together “what a beautiful name it is!”

I’ve spent time in my last two blogs telling you of all those that I got to pleasure of teaming up with during our trip to Kenya. I walked you through each member of Troy 7 and what each of them brought to our team, as well as sharing with you about the Kenyan students that impacted my life in such lasting ways. What I haven’t done, however, is tell you about all the people in between that I got to meet, share laughs, hugs, and meals with, and who I saw through Christ through in such magnificent ways while in Africa. I cannot move on until I do just that!

During our month in Kenya one of the coolest things we got to do was stay in host homes, where families took us in and cared for us during our stay. I’ll be blunt- I was VERY nervous about this. I knew that their homes would look different than ours and my comforts or what is normal to me would be taken away, and I was nervous about that transition. What I had disregarded, however, was the love I would receive from the people that made up those homes. We stayed with three different families while we were there: The Simmons, Lilian’s family, and the Bulimu’s. We also spent a lot of time with the Mugo family, though we never actually stayed in their home overnight. Each of these families showed us such unconditional love as they fed us and provided a place for us to sleep. We never went without! During each of our stays I saw so clearly their faithfulness to the Lord as they served Him by serving us. Some of my favorite memories from the trip happened under their roofs.

At the Mugo’s home, where we shared many meals, we got to experience Kenyan farm life! They showed us their corn fields, dairy cows, and they even let Caleb and Kevin kill a chicken that we got to eat for lunch one day! Talk about an African experience! Their property was beautiful, and their family was lovely. Mrs. Mugo was one of a kind and truly a woman after God’s own heart! She kept us laughing (and eating- Rachel!) After our very first meal at their home the sun had gone down and we had gotten pretty chilly, so some of the girls climbed into the van to warm up! She quickly came to find us to let us know that there were dishes to be done! We followed her to their outdoor kitchen where we were shown how to wash dishes in outside pans. As we tried to learn their way of washing, we shared lots of laughs because I think they thought they knew how to do it better than us 😉

The Simmons family was the first home that we stayed in as a host home! They live out in Namanga, a town near Tanzania! Here we used our first latrine (outside bathroom) and took our first bucket showers- some more African culture that we Americans had to figure out! Each night we were here we sat in their living room surrounded by each other and their family and shared a meal and so many laughs! The Simmons housed missionaries throughout the year and we got the pleasure of staying in their mission house which was named after a boy who traveled to Kenya on mission and passed away during his time there. It was an honor to be in a place where I’m sure many others have also laid their head during their time laboring for the Gospel. The Simmons family impressed on my spirit such a dedication to serving the Lord in mighty ways but aiding others in that process, as well as engaging in it themselves as Mr. Simmons was the pastor of a local church that we got to visit.

One of the most special stays for us was a visit to Karatina where we stayed with Lilians family! We got to meet her grandmothers as well as some aunts, uncles, cousins, and her mom and siblings! It was so neat to get to see this side of Lilian’s life and her family- you could see how each of them loved her so dearly, and how greatly she also loved them. We got to tour their coffee farm and pick Macadamia nuts which were so yum!! Two worlds were colliding as we all sat together for a meal the very last night and the Lord’s sovereignty was so evident in that moment. All of these people from different places all over the world in this moment seated together, enjoying the fellowship of one another, all due to the beautiful work of God weaving our stories together! How incredible!

The last family we had the pleasure to stay with was the Bulimu family. This family truly overwhelmed us by how welcoming and hospitable they were towards us. We got to meet Ms. Bulimu, as well as her son and three daughters, and grandson and their grandmother. This is the home we stayed in when we visited the school in Njoro built in memory of my dad, so it was a very special week for me. What was so incredibly neat about this stay, was that Ms. Bulimu had recently lost her husband to cancer. I got to share my story with them, and she was there to comfort and encourage me in the pain that her family had faced in losing their husband and father. I was so thankful for to have that surrounding me in that specific time, knowing that she knew the pain of losing someone so dear. Leaving them was difficult, as we grew to love them so quickly and truly felt at home in their presence.

I could write 10 more blogs on the people I got to meet while in Kenya, because the hearts that we joined with during our time there truly left the greatest impact on my life. From each child running around a school ground, to each person who shook our hands and welcomed us into their churches on Sundays, to each family that opened up their hearts and their homes to us. I learned so much about the Lord in that place. I saw His beauty on display in each smile I saw and each heart I joined with. He is the God of all people and of all nations, and I’m so thankful to have gotten to see that at play.

Two people who I cannot go without mentioning are Michelle Stark and Ms. Ann, AKA Mama Nana! These two women are full of passion and love for the Lord and have dedicated much of their lives to the service of the Gospel in helping these children and their families. Ms. Ann has traveled with Matanya’s Hope for several summers and we got the joy of working with her for two weeks of our trip! She has been able to build relationships with many of the university studetns, as well as the grade school students over her time going to Kenya and you cannot help but see the love that she has for each of them. Michelle is the founder of Matanya’s Hope and I’m just not sure I have enough words to describe fully the impact that she is making on so many lives- in both Kenya and the States! She works tirelessly to ensure she loves on these kids with her entire being and to bring them the education, the community, and the provision they need to not only survive but thrive and reach their greatest potential. She knows them each by name and you can tell that they know her, love her, and appreciate her in massive ways. She truly is a world changer and I look up to her in so many ways.

These are the faces of real people living real lives way across the ocean on this real planet. I cannot fully express the impact each of these souls have made on me. I am eternally grateful that for a brief moment our worlds got to collide, and I pray that wasn’t the last time I will get to experience such a beautiful occurrence as the body of Christ coming together from all nations.

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!

Faces: Part 1

We pass faces every day- some that we take note of and others that just seem to fade into the background of our lives. While I was in Kenya I saw many faces. Some of which I got to know, to see smile and cry and laugh, and others I just observed from afar wondering what it was that lie behind their eyes, their story. As I came across each face the Lord began to weigh on my heart. These faces tell stories, they hold memories, they are made up of hurtful times and joyful times, they are here for a purpose and they are worth loving. My life is forever changed by the faces that were around me over the past month whether it was that of a family that fed us and prayed over us, a child at a school that wanted nothing more to run and play, a curious member of a church that we visited, or a member of our team that walked each day by my side.  A lesson that has carried over into my life at home is that the faces that surround me each day are worth noticing, investing in, serving, inviting in, and loving on. Each one is a beautiful design of the Father, created with purpose and reason. It is a joy to walk through life together. My world grew a little smaller as I got to do life with the faces of Kenya, and get to know their stories and their lives and learn from them. Now I’m home, and looking deeper into the faces around me- what is their story? Are they in need of love? Can I learn something from them?

The faces of Troy 7. 

Troy 7 was a team of 7 Troy University Students all united by one sweet Kenyan friend- Lilian Gatheca. All of us had met and became friends with Lilian through various ways, but the Lord had sovereignly brought us all together in a beautiful fashion to take this journey together. Lilian grew up in the town of Karatina, lying between the bustling city of Nairobi and the quieter town of Nanyuki. Many years ago, a lady named Michelle Stark came into her life and brough with her open doors and new opportunities. Michelle was a woman after God’s own heart, who had the passion within her to see children educated, clothed, fed, and equipped to go out and follow their dreams- whatever they may be. Through her, hundreds of kid’s lives were, and are continuing to be, impacted for the better. Lilian was one of those lives. Through Michelle and the organization that she began, Matanya’s Hope, Lilian was able to attend a boarding school through the sponsorship of a family from America. Lilian had a dream to go beyond boarding school and that dream was to come to the States. So at the beginning of her high school years Lilian packed up her life and moved in with a family in Albany, Georgia. Here she attended school, sat around the table, got involved at a local church, made friends, and began to establish in her life in a new place with brand new faces. Soon it was time for her to come to University, and Troy was her pick!

Lilian traveled back to visit her home and her family several times on summer breaks. She had a new dream now, and that was to one day bring her American home to her Kenyan home. After much prayer and several years of waiting Troy 7 was formed and on June 10, 2018 we embarked on our journey and the fulfillment of Lilian’s dream. Our team was made up of different personalities, different characteristics and talents, all of which contributed to the mission in different ways. Though I knew of all those on my team, only a few did I know well. There were nerves about how we would interact and work together, if there would be issues or differences that divided us, or whether we would quickly unite as a family. These were 6 faces that I quickly grew to love. Had one been missing, I’m sure the entire outcome of our trip would have looked different.

Abby: a planner, a genuine spirit, and trustworthy soul. Abby is honest and Abby is true to herself and to her God. Abby is bold and willing to go to great lengths to serve. She is full of laughter, and she loves her coke and gummy bears. Without Abby, our team would be incomplete.

Alaina: a thinker, a caring spirit, and wise soul. Alaina is kind and Alaina is confident in her God. Alaina is genuine and concerned for others which leads her to show love without boundaries. She is full of life, and always down for a Cadbury Bar. Without Alaina, our team would be incomplete.

Rachel: a nurturer, a joyful spirit, and genuine soul. Rachel is compassionate and Rachel is secure in her walk with Christ. Rachel is considerate and always ready to listen. She is scripture led, and always drinking tea. Without Rachel, our team would be incomplete.

Kevin: a leader, a positive spirit, and courageous soul. Kevin is diligent and Kevin is aware of the Lord’s leading. Kevin is energetic and always ready to love on kids. He is willing to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, and can kill a chicken. Without Kevin, our team would be incomplete.

Caleb: a lover, an adventurous spirit, and passionate soul. Caleb is all in and Caleb is sincere. Caleb is abounding in the joy of the Lord and eager to share with others about Christ. He is exuberant, and will put hot sauce on his hot sauce. Without Caleb, our team would be incomplete.

Lilian: a world changer, a loving spirit, and genuine soul. Lilian is full of love and laughter and Lilian is always seeking to serve others. Lilian is sincere in all she does and she pours her heart out for others. She is full of Gospel truth, and is challenged with telling her right from her left. Without Lilian, our team would be incomplete.

I’m forever thankful that the Lord allowed me to know and do life with these 6 people. My life is changed for the better by the love, the laughter, the truth, the honesty, and the encouragement that they have poured into my life over the past month. These faces will always hold a special place in my heart no matter how far we go. The Lord is gracious for allowing me to know their stories, see into their heart, and learn from each of them.

These are the first of the many faces that impacted my life during my African adventure. Check back soon to hear of some Kenyan faces that my heart will forever hold dear to.

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I am so incredibly excited about this news I finally get to announce. While this was a letter sent out by mail to some, I did not want to miss the opportunity to also share it with so many of you that might also be interested in hearing of my future travels! Keep reading for more information on doors that the Lord has opened for me in the coming summer break.

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s been a while since I have had the chance to write you all, and I am so excited for the circumstances in which I am currently in that have caused me to write you this time. I am a sophomore at Troy University majoring in communications and minoring in Public Relations. Each day of the college life is an adventure with one decision after the next. Thankfully, I have been pretty confident in the major I have chosen, while I am still trying to figure out exactly where it one day leads me. As I have told many of you before, I’ve felt a call for ministry on my life for several years now. I would love to one day be able to work within a ministry organization or nonprofit in the realms of communications, event planning, or organization. During this season of my life the Lord has been so gracious to open doors for me to learn more of what that calling looks like, while also allowing me to be involved with the work He has for my life in the here and now.

 

Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to travel to the South Bronx of New York City three times, and this past year to Managua, Nicaragua. Both were such incredible experiences and I could never express how thankful I am to have been able to be involved with them both. My life has forever been changed due to the lives I have encountered in these two places. Recently I have been praying that the door would be opened for me to go again, but this time for something maybe a little farther away and a little longer of a trip. For many years my heart has been set on Kenya, Africa- but I never expected to have the opportunity to actually go. After my dad passed away in 2003, his parents chose to graciously give in his memory to some of their friends working in Nakuru, Kenya, to help fund the building of a school. Since then a school has been built and even added on to with a wing named “The Eric Tew Wing.” I have long desired to visit not only this country, but also this school.

 

This past semester at Troy has been one of the best. I have made some of the sweetest friends that have been such blessings in my life! One friend in particular is named Lilian Gatheca. Lilian is full of joy and life and can’t help but bring light to every room that she walks into, and she has a heart of gold for the Lord! Lilian is from Nairobi, Kenya. She was sponsored through an organization called Matanya’s Hope to come to America to receive her education. Lilian shared with me one day that she was planning to take a group of friends back with her through this organization on a missions trip for the summer of 2018. Immediately my heart began to skip a beat! After much prayer, asking the Lord for guidance in His direction with my plans for the summer, and with the approval of my mom (after a bunch of prayer on her part, too!) it was set. I will be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya with Matanya’s Hope, Lilian, and a group of Troy students on a month long missions trip in June of 2018. I have never been more excited for an opportunity in my entire life as I am with this one!

 

Details are being sorted out, plans are being made, and plane tickets are being purchased. While in Nairobi we will have many opportunities to love on the people of this area through our physical labor while also sharing the Gospel and hope of Jesus with them. Some things that we will be a part of is feeding impoverished children and families, distributing clothes, school supplies, Bibles, and other items to local schools and communities, placing rainwater tanks in areas suffering from lack of safe drinking water, raising funds for and constructing a home for a family in need, playing with the children and praying with them and their families, and much more. While all of this work will be taking place a few hours from the school I mentioned earlier, plans are being made for our team to visit the school in memory of my dad for 2-3 days. Matanya’s Hope has a host family that lives in the same city of the school that we are hoping will be a housing option for us in order for me to able to visit this school that is not only special to my grandparents, but also holds a huge piece of my heart.

 

Kenya has been a desire of my heart for so many years. I cannot fully express how overwhelmed I am by the faithfulness of the Lord to open up this door in this season of my life with these special friends of mine. I know this is the Lord’s direction for my life and I cannot wait to follow Him there and see what all He has in store. I have no doubt that the Lord will provide in every way if this be His will. I have seen Him do it before in my past trips, and I am believing that He will do the same for this one. I write you to ask for not only your financial support in this endeavor, but also your prayers. I am so desperate for your prayers as I prepare for this trip, and for the rest of my team.

 

If you feel as though the Lord is calling you to come alongside me in this journey, the trip in all with airline tickets, land costs, shots and medications needed, supplies, meals, etc., will be around $5000. While that number is daunting, I am trusting that the Lord already has it taken care of. I ask that you prayerfully consider if contributing towards this trip is something that the Lord would have you do. I would be exceedingly grateful for any amount that you feel that you should give. I wholeheartedly believe that by giving to this mission trip you are personally involved with the work that takes place. Checks can be made to Matanya’s Hope directly and they will be tax deductible.

 

I thank you in advance for your prayer and your financial support of me in not only this trip, but in so many other aspects of my life leading up to this. I have been incredibly blessed with some of the best family and friends, I am totally convinced. You all have played such a huge role in my life and I am eternally grateful for all the love and guidance that has been poured out over me. I pray the Lord blesses you richly! I will be updating on trip fundraising and preparation through my Facebook page and blog: https://rememberingandrejoicing.wordpress.com, and then plan to continue it while we are there. It is in the hope of Christ that I go forth- the same hope my daddy knew so personally & that my family has clung so closely to since his going to be with the Lord.

 

Address:

Emily Tew

717 county road 73

Headland, AL 36345

 

In the hope of Christ,

Emily Tew

And for the sake of tradition…

Love, Em

Want ideas for other ways to support? Consider purchasing one of these t-shirts that will benefit my entire team.

https://www.bonfire.com/matanyas-hope-kenya-mission-trip-2018/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=campaign_page&utm_campaign=matanyas-hope-kenya-mission-trip-2018&utm_content=default