Kenya 2026

Our Journey Home 

As we board the plane at 1 am to Qatar … I begin to reflect …

Our suitcases may all be packed, but our hearts certainly are not. We are all anxious to see our loved ones, maybe even look forward to a few things (pizza or tacos!), yet it was the children of Kenya who truly stole our hearts.

Their smiles, laughter, resilience, and unconditional love have left an imprint that will stay with us forever. 

8 am now, boarding and ready for a 16 hour flight …

I learned that “Hakuna Matata” reflects a spirit of joy, hope, and above all, trust God all the time, one day at a time. 

As we landed in LAX at 1:45 pm, I realized that for the returners, this isn’t “goodbye”, it’s simply, “Until next time.”

Our final day is still fresh in my mind, it was about laughter, tears of joy, and heartfelt hugs as we said goodbye to the Maasai warriors, whose warm hospitality welcomes Crossroads Christian Church year after year, and to our precious Grace House family, who have become an extension of our own. 

Saving the best for last, a special thank you to my amazing roommate, Angelica Thomas, who faithfully spent her evenings to make sure this blog was ready so each of you could follow our journey. Thank you family and friends for praying and walking alongside us. This mission trip may be ending, but God’s mission never does. Until next time, Kenya… Hakuna Matata!

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm… because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58

• Maria Rincón-Salazar

As our mission trip to Kenya comes to an end, our hearts are filled with gratitude and bittersweet emotions.

Our final day was such a beautiful and blessed one, spent with the precious children who brought us so much joy. Saying goodbye was not easy. We also had to say farewell to the incredible staff at Grace House, who welcomed us with such love, kindness, and hospitality. They truly made us feel like family.

The Lord watched over us every step of the way on our journey home. We traveled from Kenya to Qatar, where we had only an hour to make our connecting flight, and by God’s grace everything went smoothly. From Qatar, we continued on to Los Angeles, arriving home safely. We are so thankful for His protection and faithfulness throughout our travels.

Although we’re grateful to be home, a part of our hearts remains in Kenya. We will never forget the privilege of sharing God’s love with the children during Vacation Bible School, spending time with their families during home visits, and witnessing the beautiful faith, joy, and love of the people we met.

To everyone who prayed for me, encouraged me, and supported this mission financially, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were a part of every smile, every prayer, every lesson, and every life touched. None of this would have been possible without your partnership.

Praise the Lord for His goodness, His protection, and for memories that we will cherish in our hearts forever. May He continue to bless the beautiful people of Kenya until we meet again. 

• Rosemary Taouil

Serving during this year’s mission in Kenya was one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Each day offered chances to serve, build meaningful relationships, and witness the resilience, kindness, and faith of the communities we met. There were many memorable experiences; however, one of the best memories that we will treasure was helping with VBS and the soccer conference. This Crossroads team ministered to over 1,200 children.  We shared scripture, taught practical skills, and encouraged them to apply biblical principles. The loud laughs and appreciation of the children brought us such joy; it was contagious. We learned that true joy comes through selfless service. The children at Mission of Hope International & Mara have left a lasting mark on our hearts while strengthening our faith and hope for the future.

As our mission comes to an end, saying goodbye was harder than we expected. Leaving people who had become like family brought both gratitude and sadness. We are thankful for the privilege of serving and for the lessons we learned, but it was painful to leave the communities that had welcomed our team so warmly. Though we are returning home, a piece of our heart remains in Kenya. The memories and relationships will continue to inspire us, and we know this mission has profoundly changed many lives.

• Nyreith Adeyemi & Raymon Mitchison

Today truly felt like something straight out of a dream, from the very first light of dawn all the way until the sun dipped below the horizon. We embarked on an unforgettable sunrise-to-sunset safari, and looking back on everything we experienced, my heart is just overflowing.

I couldn’t have asked for a better crew to share the adventure with. I was lucky enough to be riding in a jeep with Nicole, Jen, and Joe, expertly guided by our incredible driver, Fred, who made sure we didn’t miss a single magical moment. Together, we managed to check off the legendary Big Five—majestic lions, gentle giants of elephants, powerful water buffalo, elusive leopards, and stunning rhinos! It was nothing short of breathtaking to witness God’s magnificent creation up close and personal in such a raw, beautiful setting.

Our wildlife sightings didn’t stop there, either. We also spotted a dazzling variety of colorful birds, the cutest little baby giraffe taking its tentative steps, lounging hippos, a lurking crocodile, a sleek cheetah darting through the grass, and so much more. Between the jaw-dropping views, our sides hurt from laughing so hard at all the inside jokes, and we added a whole treasure chest of new memories to look back on.

Yet, as magical as today was, there’s a heavy, bittersweet undertone weighing on my heart tonight. This marks our final day here in the Mara  

• Brenna Phororo

Today was our safari day! It was also my 22nd birthday! We started the day by waking up early for a sunrise safari. When going on safari in the Mara, there is a game you play where you try to find “The Big Five.” These five special animals are elephants, leopards, lions, water buffalo, and rhinos. On our first safari, we saw four out of five of The Big Five! All that was left to see was a rhino. We’d all prayed earlier that God would let us see The Big Five for my birthday, so I still had hope we could see a rhino.

After coming back to the lodge for a few hours, we headed back out for a sunset safari, determined to find a rhino! After about an hour of searching, it began to rain a little. Suddenly there was some chatter on the jeep radio, and our driver started flooring it down the path. When we asked him what was going on, he told us that another jeep had spotted a rhino! I was super excited, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up in case we were too late. Luckily, our driver was amazing, and he got us there with plenty of time to spare, and we got to see the final member of The Big Five! This was my first time seeing a wild rhino, and I was so excited! God heard my birthday prayers and let us see all five members of The Big Five in one day!

We then went back to the lodge and finished the day with some amazing time in worship and communion together. Overall, it was an amazing day, and an unforgettable birthday!

– Micah Thomas

Today, our family had a wonderful rest day! The Lord reminded me in a timely manner that he will provide rest to our bodies & souls. After a great VBS week, we stayed back at our lodge to take some time to rest!

We got to walk around the lodge that is filled with God’s beautiful creatures! I got to see lots of different animals while walking around!

Not pictured was a rainfall! This time of year is winter for Kenya & usually great for the next day as we head into safari, as it keeps dust down.

The food is also amazing here! I’m having a blast with what Kenya has brought to this family & am so excited for the safari tomorrow!

• Shay Kim

After several full days of serving and ministry, today was the best rest day!  The team spent time enjoying community, having great conversations, and playing card games. It was a beautiful way to appreciate each other and slow down to reflect on the trip and what God is doing in our lives.

We also visited local markets and shopped for Masai blankets. As the day came to a close, we laughed over games and ended the evening in worship, reminding us that rest is a gift and that God is present in both the busy moments and the quiet ones.

• Kailey Knight

1 Peter 4:10

“Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

This verse resonates with me because the team started our day with prayer together, and then Caleb led a spiritual devotional as he explained that each of us on the team is unique in our own way and was hand-picked by God to form the team. He then spoke about every person individually, their talents and assets that we bring to the team. It was truly heartwarming. He ended it with “We are 39 individual strands that have made a tight rope” I feel so blessed to be a part of this Family!

We were off to our 2nd day at Nkoisuash school, and today presented Art Therapy to 6th-9th graders. The subject was centered around 2 Thessalonians 3:3: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”  They had a blank canvas to draw a shield, and because the shield protects all things about them that are sacred, they painted those words inside the shield. So many of them wrote words like kindness, humility, love, and loyalty. They then painted inside the shield colors that represented these words. The shield represents that God will guard us. Finally, they painted a border around the shield representing protection, as God protects that shield.

We had a farewell with all the children as we left the school. So many sweet smiles and hugs as we were leaving. We then were graciously invited to lunch at the home of John and Paris Keshe. They presented us with a traditional Kenyan meal which included goat cooked over an open fire all day, which is only done on special occasions. What a blessing they both are to our team. After lunch, we walked to the community center where we were greeted by cultural dancers. The song and dance were so joyful. We then had an opportunity to shop from women who make jewelry that are part of the Women’s Empowerment Beading Project. A time for us to give back to the community.

It was a great day of ministry and fellowship with the people at Nkoisuash School and the community.  

Michelle Mitchison

Today we got to put on an art therapy conference for the 6th-9th graders. We had them paint a shield that represented the boundaries they put up in life and who they really are on the inside.

The classroom I got placed in was a little hard at first. We didn’t have a teacher to translate for the kids, and they didn’t fully understand English, so going through the activity took a little extra explaining and a lot more hand motions than I thought it would take. Thankfully, we were able to complete the activity with all of the kids, and a lot of them ended up understanding the intent behind it.

Afterward, they got to come and share with us what they painted, and one of the boys who shared his with me told me that he found the activity difficult to do but that he was glad he had done it.

Something that God has really been showing me on this trip is that it’s not always the big things we do that leave a lasting impact on the people out here. But the little things, like having conversations with small groups of kids about how, despite all the boundaries life may cause us to put up, Jesus knows and loves who we really are on the inside.

• Noah Murray

Today was our first day of VBS in the Mara, and it truly was such a beautiful day! I was on the snack team, and it was such a blessing to serve these children in this way. Something that was really on my heart today was this verse:

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” – Matthew 6:31-32

The people here in Kenya have such an unwavering faith. You can see it in the joy they carry; they don’t seem to live with worry because they trust that the Lord will provide. Being here has been such a beautiful reminder that God truly knows their needs, and it’s such a privilege that He has invited us to be His coworkers in the work He’s doing here.

I have also been so impressed by this team. Everyone has such a genuine heart to serve this community, and it has been incredible to witness. Our medical team served over 60 people today, and the presence of the Lord and His healing power were so tangible.

I am beyond grateful for this trip. This team and these kids have such a special place in my heart.

• Izabella Dabis

Throughout the day, we had the opportunity to spend time with the students by making crafts. We used the Bible verse 2 Timothy 4:7-8 to decorate a hat visor to color. I loved how, in each classroom we went to, all they wanted was for us to be present and spend time with them. Between the singing, asking us questions about us, and even just them wanting to touch my hand or even my hair, it is amazing how God connects people from opposite sides of the world through His love.

One of my favorite parts of today was seeing the children light up with excitement. Their energy is contagious, and every smile is a reminder of why I continue to come back to Kenya. Moments like these remind me that sometimes the greatest ministry is simply showing up, listening, loving, and letting others know they are seen and valued.

As I walked around the school, I couldn’t help but thank God for allowing me to be here for my 10th trip to Kenya. Every visit teaches me something new about faith, gratitude, and trusting Him. While we often think we are coming to bless others, I always leave feeling like I have been blessed even more.

As I end this, this is the verse I want to remember ~1 Corinthians 16:14  “Let all that you do be done in love.”

• Nicole Balstad

We started our day at around 5am to prepare to leave for Naruk. The drive was about 4 hours, with a couple of bathroom stops and a coffee stop as well!

As soon as we arrived at our hotel, we quickly took down our luggage and headed straight to church. The church greeted us and clothed us in Maasai blankets, and we were treated to their cultural singing and dancing. Before the church service began, they hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the community center, and our team leads were part of the ribbon-cutting. This community center was funded by Crossroads Christian Church because of our faithful, servant hearts; we are able to give back to the community while glorifying God.

That same community center is where church service was held today and will continue to be used as a blessing and safe space for the community. James 2:17 says that “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Today, God showed me how awesome and impactful it is to be part of a church that not only says but does!

• Jocelyn Bruno

After a long, incredible week in Nairobi, we headed off to Narok in the Mara this morning. We left our hotel early, around 5:45 a.m. We had the incredible opportunity to stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Rift Valley, watch a beautiful sunrise, and then continue on our journey.

After meeting up with the Maasai drivers, we made it to the hotel, had a quick debrief, and headed off to church. The service was beautiful, starting with a huge welcome from everyone in the village, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new building sponsored by Crossroads.

As a team, we worshiped, got to meet all of the church staff, and Junior gave an incredible message that was so powerful for both the team and the Kenyan people.

Throughout the drives, I got to know my driver, Evans, and learned more and more about Maasai culture. The rest of the day was spent enjoying some much-needed rest, finishing with a beautiful time of team worship.

Right now, we’re wrapping up the day with some fun games and watching the World Cup final. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

• Shane Fitzgerald

Wow!!!! So far this trip has been absolutely incredible!!! This is my 5th time in Kenya, and it never gets old; each trip and team is very different and special.

Today was travel day to our second leg of the trip to the Mara. It is a very special place and one of my favorite places on the earth. We partner with KCEA organization in the Mara, and the work that goes on here is beautiful.

Last year, our team visited the structure under construction for the women’s empowerment building. Here we are this year, and it is complete. Today they dedicated the building with such gratitude to the Lord and to our church for donating toward its completion. It is beautiful, and they are so thankful. It was also Sunday, and we had church, which was so special. We heard from so many leaders and pastors in the community.

Junior, on our team, delivered an incredible message today that was so inspiring and well received.

The Lord is truly working through our team. We anticipate an incredible week ahead.

• Debbie Burton

Football, football, and more football. Students from MOHI middle schools were bused to a university to play in a football tournament. Both boys’ and girls’ teams played 30-minute games over 6 hours.

The excitement of a goal or win was so fun to watch. These kids like to win, but they are extremely aware of everyone on the field. They share concern when someone gets hurt and are extremely honest in playing the game. Yes, they love to win and celebrate. More importantly, they share the love of Jesus in their actions.

The real joy with these kids is their desire to reflect their Christ-centered character to everyone they come in contact with.

• Kerry Casler

Today was one of those days that I’ll carry with me forever.

We hosted a World Cup soccer tournament for more than 500 kids, with 18 games.  The games were so exciting, but what impacted me most was seeing the joy on these kids’ faces, their laughter, their gratitude, and the way they celebrated every moment together. I found myself smiling big all day as we played, cheered, and enjoyed being together.

One of my favorite parts of the day was spending time with Ephantus, my sponsor child’s cousin. He is one of the most incredible little boys I’ve ever met, and hearing him say he wants to be a pastor someday filled me with so much hope. As we walked, laughed, and watched soccer together, I couldn’t help but pray that God would continue to shape his heart and use his life in incredible ways. Moments like these remind me that ministry sometimes is about slowing down, being fully present, and letting someone know they are loved and seen.

There were so many little moments that made today unforgettable. I had the privilege of taking a picture with Mary Kamau, the founder of MOHI, and was reminded how one person’s obedience to God’s call can change generations. Then, out of nowhere, a tree full of avocados dropped its fruit to the ground. The kids came running from every direction with huge smiles on their faces, grabbing avocados with the same excitement most kids would have if money were falling from the sky. It made me stop and think that so often I rush past God’s everyday blessings without even noticing them, yet these children reminded me how to celebrate simple gifts.

My heart is so full, and I’m incredibly thankful to be here witnessing what God is doing.

• Emma Solorzano

Today was another fantastic day in Nairobi!!! We had the incredible opportunity to be at the Baba Dogo school with the 6th-9th graders for our World Cup Conference! We started with an inspiring, energetic worship time, and then Pastor Lisa, Stephanie, Joseph, and Dave gave the kids an inspiring message that related soccer to the word of God, our relationship with Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit lives in us and guides our lives. After that, we broke into small groups and led discussions with the kids. They are so sweet and soft spoken, but they were interested and thoughtfully engaged.

After lunch, we had an emotional farewell with many of our sponsor children, the MOHI staff, and social workers. When we left Baba Dogo, we went to a huge market and had the best time bartering and finding gifts for family and friends. Finally, a quick stop at Java and then back to Grace House for dinner!

We are all looking forward to another day with the big kids tomorrow at our World Cup Tournament.

• Erin Fitzgerald

Day seven in Kenya has been amazing. This whole trip has been eye-opening. The people here are wonderful, so the day started off with breakfast and an awesome devotional from our team member Izzy. She didn’t want to do it at first, but my roommate Michael and I pumped her up. It was a great message and helped me get through the day. It was about worshiping God and serving the children of Kenya. My roommate Michael prayed for the team, and we got on the bus and were on our way to start the day with these wonderful kids.

We got to the school, had worship, and we sang and danced with the kids, which was a great experience. The kids are getting ready to have a futbol (soccer) tournament tomorrow. We had a great message on how God is our referee, captain, and coach in our lives, then we sat with some of the kids and asked questions. Let me just say these kids are very smart, funny, and kind. They all touched my heart.

Yesterday, I got to celebrate my birthday out here with my wonderful church family and these amazing kids.  We visited a school a couple of days ago, and a group of kids in a classroom sang happy birthday to me.  Last night we had dinner with the founders of Missions of Hope at their house, and they honored me with the cake and sang to me in Swahili.  Today, two groups of kids sang happy birthday to me as well. I’m very happy and blessed to be part of this team. All praise and glory to our Lord and Savior for making all this possible. I am so blessed and honored to be around these great, amazing children. My life has forever been changed.

Their smiles melt my heart. What a great day.

• Mathew Martinez

We had mostly a rest day today, with the exception of some packing for tomorrow’s conference we will be having with the older kids of MOHI! We gathered for a sweet time of prayer and devotion led by Dr. Don, which was a blessing to hear. Our team gathered to pack 500 bags for the World Cup tournament we’ll be hosting for the older kids this Saturday. Being part of such a team of servant-hearted individuals who are obedient to the Lord’s call to this mission has brought me immense joy.

The team was invited over to the home of Mary & Wallace, the founders of MOHI, for a Ken-Mex dinner! Their heart and hospitality truly reflect what being the hands and feet of Jesus looks like. We had the amazing opportunity to hear a bit more about how MOHI started, the sacrifices, and the commitments that were made because God had called them to use their gifts.

I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of being thousands of miles away from home, yet here I am with this incredible team, serving alongside individuals who share a common mission. Our mission is to serve the people of Kenya, reminding them of the presence and love of a God who sees and cares for them.

• Desiree Candeja

It’s hard to believe we’ve already been on the ground in Kenya for six days. It has been a whirlwind of activity from the moment we arrived, with very little downtime.

To quickly recap, we’ve toured Missions of Hope in Pangani, visited the slums, and made home visits with families. We’ve also led Vacation Bible School (VBS) on two different campuses in Kiamaiko. Each campus involved four sessions—and countless flights of stairs. It’s safe to say we’ve definitely gotten our steps in!

But without a doubt, my favorite part of the trip has been spending time with our sponsor children. Jennifer and I sponsor three incredible young people.

Ashley, whom we have sponsored since she was five years old, is now 20 and enrolled in technical school. Vincent Michael is now 14 years old and attends school in Kiamaiko. Amazingly, he’s now taller than I am! And then there’s Mambula, who is 12 years old and traveled nearly ten hours by bus from the desert region near Olturot just to spend time with us.

It has been an incredible blessing to be part of their lives and to witness firsthand how our small contributions over the years have helped transform their futures. Seeing them grow into confident, hopeful young people has been one of the greatest joys of this journey.

Today, however, was a much-needed day of rest as we prepare for the next phase of our mission. We spent the day packing bags, organizing supplies, and getting everything ready for the youth conference and soccer tournaments that begin soon.

During this quieter day, I was reminded of the words of Galatians 6:9–10:

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Those verses feel especially meaningful here. Ministry can be exhausting, but it is also deeply rewarding. We still have another week of nonstop ministry ahead of us, and we would truly appreciate your continued prayers—for strength, wisdom, and open hearts.

I’m excited to see what God has planned for us in the days ahead.

• Joe Vargas

Today was day 2 of VBS in Nairobi, and it was so special!  The last two days have been so full of incredible and life-changing experiences, building relationships, and learning more and more about God’s intentionality with this trip. God has truly put a special anointing on this team, and getting to watch them all excel in their own individual ways has been so incredible.

One thing that has been weighing on my heart for the last couple of days has been the Islamic presence in Kenya. Although many people I’ve encountered here are on fire believers in Jesus, there have been a couple of encounters with some people who are currently Muslim that have felt particularly discouraging. I was feeling somewhat discouraged about this for a while, but the Lord put a thought on my heart after I had a moment with one of the kids whose homes we visited. His mother was Muslim, and when I found this out, I started to get discouraged until we began to pray, and God put it on my heart to welcome his spirit to come dwell in the house that we were in. After that, her son also began to pray, and it made me realize something that changed my whole outlook on the situation. The work we are doing with these kids and the impact we make not only sets them up for a future of walking with the Lord, but also provides an opportunity for them to be a light to their families who may not be walking with God. The life change in these kids’ lives stretches so much further than we could ever realize.

Today we visited another home after we finished VBS, and I left feeling somewhat encouraged. We got to visit two brothers who were living together in a family household,  all of whom love and serve the Lord. We got to talk about life, encourage one another, and, finally, pray for each other. It was so incredibly special.

• Caleb Roberts

This morning we woke up early and headed to Missions of Hope Kiamaiko Ngei School. As soon as we stepped off the bus, we were welcomed by the children singing with so much joy. Their smiles and voices set the tone for the entire day.

We gathered on the rooftop for worship, and it was one of those moments I’ll forever carry in my heart. Standing hand in hand with these precious children, singing and shouting praises to the Lord, reminded me that worship isn’t dependent on our circumstances but on who God is. Their joy was genuine, contagious, and deeply humbling.

After worship, I had the opportunity to lead the puppet team during VBS orientation as we shared from 2 Timothy 4:7-8. We talked about how God has the power to transform anyone who places their trust in Him. Seeing these children so eager to hear God’s Word was incredibly encouraging. Their hunger for Jesus challenged my own heart. Praise God!

After VBS, we split into small groups for home visits. We had the privilege of visiting Mama Nancy and her daughter, Nancy. She welcomed us into her home with such warmth and shared that she had never had visitors before. We prayed for God to open doors for work, provide for their family, and bring healing to Nancy. Although Mama Nancy has endured so much, her faith remains steadfast. What impacted me just as much was the joy they carried. Despite their hardships, Mama Nancy and Nancy laughed and smiled with our team as we sat together in their small home. Their smiles were contagious and reminded me that true joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances but in the hope we have in the Lord.

Later in the day, I had the incredible blessing of seeing my sponsor child, Fatuma, for the second time. I also had the opportunity to meet her mom, who came to Ngei School to meet me. It was such a special moment to finally meet the mother of the little girl I have been praying for and sponsoring. I was able to hand over the food basket I purchased for Fatuma and her family, and seeing her mother’s gratitude was something I will never forget. Although Fatuma’s mom is Muslim, she graciously allowed me to pray over her and Fatuma. I also had the joy of giving Fatuma her very own Bible. I praise God for opening that door and allowing me to share His love with them.

As I reflect on today, my heart carries both grief and hope. There is so much poverty here in Ngei and so many people who have yet to know the hope found in Jesus Christ. Yet I leave encouraged because I see a school standing firmly on the foundation of Christ, faithfully proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to the next generation. Missions of Hope Ngei is a light shining in the darkness, reminding this community that there is hope because of Jesus.

Praise God for the labor of today, for this incredible team I have the privilege of serving alongside, and for the work He is doing here. I can’t wait to see how He continues to move in the days ahead.

• Stephanie Guzman

Today was the first day of VBS! And it was amazing!!!

We started off with a great breakfast at Grace House and made our way to Kiamaiko main. We were welcomed with song and dance and lots and lots of smiles and hugs. I am on the snack team this VBS, which means we get to share biscuits and milk and just hang out! It’s always so fun to ask the kids questions and answer theirs!

My sponsor boy Garvin was in one of the classes I got to go into, and his smile has to be the cutest thing on this planet. After VBS, we did a home visit. The family consisted of a grandmother, a mother, and her four children. The youngest was one month old! It was lovely to pray for them and their family, and such a blessing to be welcomed into their home. We also had lunch with my family’s two sponsor kids, Judy and Isaac. They are from far away (6-8 hours away), so it’s always really special when they take the time to ride the bus down and see us.

After our goodbyes, we headed back to Grace House for chai and debrief! We ended the day with dinner, worship, and a group viewing of the World Cup game 🙂

• Sienna Thomas

I started my day meditating on the parable of the persistent friend, and little did I know, the Lord would use that scripture to shape my entire day. I was challenged to persistently intercede with boldness and a sense of desperation for the kids that I would encounter. Not that the Father is reluctant, but that He oftentimes wants to partner with our faith and prayers.

I was part of the connection team, and we had so much fun coloring a wooden toy race car with the kids. These kids radiated with so much joy, and their faces shone in a way that is simply unexplainable. We walked through the community and began praying that the Lord would provide in the way only He can. My heart became tender, and my eyes opened to and for the things that break His heart. I think that’s what He wants to highlight to me. To develop a deeper sense of desperation and dependence on Him and Him alone.

• Bill Gunadi

Today marked the beginning of our Vacation Bible School (VBS). I started the day by reading Hebrews 12:1–3, which reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus and run the race of life with endurance. This connected beautifully with our VBS theme verse, 2 Timothy 4:7–8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is a crown waiting for me.  It is given to those who are right with God.”

The children at VBS were full of enthusiasm and truly enjoyed all the activities we prepared for them. I served on the Connect Team, where we welcomed the kids and guided them through a coloring activity. They had fun choosing and using their favorite colors to complete their artwork of painting the cars.

One of my favorite moments was seeing how confidently the children recited the memory verses. It was especially encouraging to hear them share their favorite Bible verse from memory. Watching them learn God’s Word with joy was a wonderful reminder of the importance of planting His truth in young hearts. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to what God will continue to do throughout this week of VBS and conference .

Another highlight of the day was participating in home visits and praying for families in the community. We were able to visit two families, learn about their lives, and pray with them. One of the mothers is a worship leader at her church, and she sang a beautiful song to the glory of God. It was a deeply moving moment, and we were encouraged as we worshiped together. The family was strengthened through prayer, and it was a blessing to witness God’s love and encouragement being shared in their home.

I thank God for a wonderful first day of VBS and pray that He will continue to work in the hearts of the children, their families, and everyone serving throughout the week.

• Joseph Aggrey-Carthy

I was blessed to be part of a team that visited Elizabeth’s home in the community.  We heard her story and prayed over her.

Then came the time we had been waiting for: Child Sponsorship Day!! I loved seeing my kids for the 3rd year!!  2 of the 3 kids are now almost taller than me!  I was also able to meet with the sponsored children of Bonnie Konic and Kevin & Sherry Frezelle.

It was such a beautiful day; we all left the school exhausted, but our hearts full of joy ♡

– Theresa Cervantes

Day 3, Monday, was our first official day of ministry, and it was packed!!. We had MOHI orientation and an update, our first home visits, and met our sponsored children, which is always a highlight of the trip.

I remember being so amazed upon hearing about the origin and growth of Mission of Hope, and the complete trust in God that Mary and Wallace stood upon, as evidenced by the continued success of MOHI. A few statistics:

38 schools in Kenya and 2 outside: 33,000 students are enrolled, including 8,000 unsponsored; trade school for community members, with 1,000+ graduates in 2025; medical clinics see 90K patients a year and provide quality, safe medical care. It is free for students and offers subsidized care for family members; it serves 400 children with disabilities, with the school for disabilities to open in the fall.

MOHI is such a good steward of the funds given through child sponsorship and is not satisfied with leaving the program static, but is looking towards continued efforts to transform lives and break generational patterns.

How can you help? Sponsor a child, giving them the opportunity to truly have a chance to live a life and to know Jesus.

After our home visit, I met with my 4 children and the picture tells it all!! 

• Janie Weed

Today we finally arrived in Kenya!!! The travel was so blessed by the Lord, from on-time flights to everyone smoothly getting through customs! Once we arrived at Grace House, our home for the next week, we were greeted by the most amazing and loving staff, who prepared a delicious breakfast for us! 

After we had some free time, some of us slept while others unpacked and settled in! We had a barbecue lunch the staff prepared for us, then headed off to YaYa Shopping Mall! At YaYa, we were able to shop and barter with local vendors! 

Today was the perfect way to ease into this trip, allowing us to spend time with one another, rest, and enjoy this place God has sent us! Praise God for today and for the days to come.

• Emma Green

1st day in Kenya! It still really hasn’t hit me that we’re in Kenya; rather, those 5 or 6 chai’s I’ve had today have hit me! In all seriousness, today has been a blessing to the eye; Jesus is in it all, from the smiles of an individual with enjoyment in what they have, to the blessing of nourishment, to the amazing views of God in the sky and architecture! 

Truly, when I see the smiles on these individuals’ faces, they glow, and that’s the bearing of fruit! This radiant glow from their smiles is as sweet as the pineapples here! Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:16A NLT “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.”

They’re bearing something truly incredible! It’s only day one, and more is to come from the words of my fellow travelers, who will share much more in the following days!!

• Junior Salgado

One by one, our team members eagerly arrived at Crossroads by 8:55 a.m.  We were each assigned a piece of luggage that carried our VBS supplies for our trip.  Our Executive Pastor of Worship Arts, Tim Roberts, led a beautiful prayer and anointing time for our leaders and team members.  It was such a blessing to start our trip with this special time.

The buses arrived at 10:30 am, and luggage loading began.  It ran pretty smoothly for all the luggage pieces we had!  We gathered family and friends for one last prayer as we said goodbye and boarded our buses.  The bus ride to LAX was filled with excitement and chatter.

Once we arrived, we gathered our assigned luggage and checked in for our flight.  Check-in times varied for everyone, but we all made it through!  Our leaders guided us through the process well.

The flight from LAX to Qatar was over 16 hours!  It was fun to see everyone having good conversations and getting to know each other better on the flight.  We landed safely in Qatar, where we are awaiting our next flight in six hours. This airport is beautiful with a tropical garden right in the middle.  The garden features over 300 trees and 25,000 plants!  After such a long flight, it was wonderful to walk around and explore!  Everyone on our team is doing well and ready to continue our journey to Kenya.

• Angelica Thomas

Today we start our journey to Kenya. It began at church. We weighed all the suitcases, and each of us was assigned a VBS luggage bag. Then the team was anointed and prayed over to worship music. Since Joe and I are small group leaders on this team, we were blessed to pray over the people we’re “in charge of”. Shout out to Raymond, Michelle, Emma, Matthew, and Angelica. Then we got on the bus, traveled to LAX, and boarded our first flight to Qatar. The flight was smooth and uneventful. It was beautiful to see the smiles and excitement on the faces of first-timers and returners to Kenya. During the 16-hour first flight, some slept, some watched movies, and some chatted. It’s a long journey but a beautiful journey.

I’m excited for new friendships and to see what God will do on this trip. We have 6 more hours of travel before we reach Nairobi.

Thank you for your prayers and support for our team. May God bless you!

• Jennifer Vargas