#transformationtuesday with @gloriafry 💞 (at then • now)
Kenya Mission Trip Reflection
(Photo: Kosen, her parents and me)
As I reflect on my mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya with Mission of Mercy, I realize how big my God is. From the moment we stepped foot into Africa, to saying our goodbyes, my heart has been forever changed. The Maasai ladies were so loving, generous, and hope-filled. They have what we think is nothing, but they are the most unselfish people I have ever met. To honor us ladies from the United States, they gave us their gorgeously beaded and handmade necklaces; which blessed me so much. One of the days we were in the bush we had a “Women’s Day” at the church for all the Maasai ladies. We started off by painting their finger nails, teaching them how to wash their hands and listened to an uplifting sermon by Martha Fry. During the sermon, we handed them mirrors, (yes, mirrors!) because they had never seen themselves, ever! Watching the ladies look at their reflection for the first time was so awe-inspiring. It brought tears to their eyes (and our eyes!), but some quickly hid their mirror, because they did not like what they saw. We had them say out loud “God made me beautiful and He loves me,” so we made sure they would walk away knowing they were made in God’s image! Another extremely powerful period on the trip was during a prayer time after the sermon on the “Women’s Day.” Even though there was a language barrier between us and the Maasai women, we opened up the alter for prayer, and the ladies immediately flooded out of their seats in such desperate hope of our Lord and Savior. One by one they crowded around. We laid hands on them and prayed believing for specific needs to be healed. While we prayed for them, they prayed in their language, some with tears in their eyes. In that moment, the power of God was so evident.
One of my favorite parts of being in the bush of Nairobi was getting to play with the children. They would shyly walk up to you, slowly touch your skin, then a thrilled smile would appear on their face. When you played games with them, you could hear the genuine joy in their laughs. I could not help but just stop and gaze at their angelic appearance. In the midst of being with the children, I heard God tell me to sponsor one of the girls. I picked out one of the Mission of Mercy profiles and started sponsoring a girl named, Kosen. On that same day, I met my sponsor child along with her parents. It was immensely special! We spent the whole rest of the day together, playing games, swinging on the swings and meeting her friends. Sponsoring a child has so much more meaning than just money in an envelope, it is a true relationship!! Having to say goodbye was sorrowful, but knowing we could still write letters to each other and pray for each other, made it so much better!
Mission of Mercy’s motto is “One Child Matters.” This phrase now has meaning and hope, since journeying to Kenya. Sponsoring a child shows them that they matter and it impacts their life in a huge way! Not just physically and financially, but spiritually, as we pray for them! When we show one child they matter to us, it ultimately shows them they matter to God! And that one child can influence their family, who could influence a community, who could eventually influence their whole country! All because we let that one child know they matter to us and God! I strongly encourage you to sponsor a child, it truly blesses them in so many ways!
