Summer 2021: Adventure in the Big City

IMB job #: 17830

Location: Kenya

Team size: 6

Field expense: $2500 plus roundtrip travel, passport costs, immunizations & required travel insurance

Job description: Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference in not only the lives of lost people but possibly the entire continent of Africa? Come and join us as we use sports, adventure, healthcare, and education to build relationships, share the gospel, and disciple those in our large city.

MORE INFO

Dates for summer 2021

May 31  Team leader training begins (Nehemiah Teams Training Center, Mentone, AL)

June 3  Team member training begins (Alabama)

June 8  Teams deploy for the field (via ATL)

July 28  Teams return to the US for debrief (Alabama)

July 31  Teams return home

COVID-19 in 2021

We continue to move forward in planning for summer 2021 teams. Decisions will be made by April 2021 as to whether certain teams may need to be cancelled due to travel restrictions or local situations. Info will be posted on the website if teams are cancelled.

Have you ever seen a hyrax??

This morning during my quite time, I came across Psalms 104 which speaks of God’s creations. All of the animals and the landscapes that He has made that bring glory to His name. 

There was an animal in Kenya called a hyrax. These animals were everywhere and one of the funniest memories I have while I was in Kenya was one being on the roof and everyone thinking that it was going to attack at any moment. 

Psalms 104 talks about how God has provided for the animals that He created and in verse 18 it says “the cliffs are a refuge for the hyraxes.”  How cool is it that God provided the cliffs as a refuge of protection for these animals. If God cares so much even about the hyraxes well-being then think about how much he cares for His children and wants to provide them with abundantly more. In Leviticus 5 it talks about how the hyraxes are considered unclean. Yet God still cared and provided for them. It’s so amazing that we too, unclean sinners, can be

washed clean by His mercy and grace. God’s plans for us is exceedingly more than the hyrax. I’m thankful for God showing me His compassion and just how much He loves and cares for His children this morning.

-Madison W.
Camp & Community 2019
Kenya

Consider it pure joy

This summer we were given 26 Bible verses to learn and one of the first ones I memorized was James 1:2-4... Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of all kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. And let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Whenever my faith was tested this summer I would always think back and remember those words. I do have to admit a lot of times I did not have the right mindset and would get frustrated when opposition stood in my way and forget the truths that God tells His children. I would always tell my girls this summer that God would be with them through their hills and valleys. He would be with them through their highest of highs and their lowest of lows. But I would often forget that truth myself.

Ever since I have been home from Africa, I have had a lot of anxiety from transferring to a new school, adding a major, transitioning back to “normal” routine, and just the daily stresses of life. James 1:2-4 has been continually coming up. We were given the book of James to write an exegetical paper on for one of my Bible classes, so after reading James daily I have had the ability to meditate a lot on God’s promises that are seen in James 1:2-4.

Although in the midst of our trials is not very pretty or fun and it can hurt a lot, but when we endure the suffering just as Christ did for us, there in that valley, our faith is strengthened which is such a beautiful thing. But we can’t just endure them, God tells us that we must endure our trials with a joy that is genuine. Pure joy is found only in Christ, who came and gave himself for us. I am often guilty of looking for happiness in things that the world loves, but joy that is genuine comes from knowing God and seeking His will for our life.

James then goes on to tell us in verse 12 “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”. Our pain has a good reason, God has promised us that if we endure our trials with joy that we will be rewarded with the “crown of life”, which is forever with Jesus, how awesome is that?

So, if you need an encouragement today, know that God promises us that our pain has a purpose. It is there to stretch us and grow us. It makes us into the Christian that He has called each of us to be. What’s so comforting is that we do not have to suffer alone, God does not abandon us during our hard times, He is with us and He is guiding us. Rest on the truth of His promises. The same God that was with you on your hill will be with you in your valley. Praise Him for your trials, because there is purpose in your affliction.

-Madison W.
Camp & Community 2019
Kenya

God is Already Moving

My most meaningful experience this summer would have to have been the presence of God. It’s easy to sit and think, especially as an American, we tend to think more as God needing to be taken elsewhere. However, God is already moving in places we don’t usually realize that He is. We did a shadow ministry where we went to the slums of the city where some of the counselors were from. And we went into peoples houses and physically prayed and shared scripture and words of encouragement to people living there. The way we met people where they were was so refreshing and biblical to it’s very roots.

-Hunter
Camp & Community Team
Kenya

Worth It

Worth it.

This was the very first thought that popped into my head as the wheels of flight 1588 touched the ground in Philadelphia, PA. Exactly 141 days before, I was sitting in a hotel room in New York City, reluctantly putting in an application for summer missions overseas. This came as a response to a small group I attended where we walked through Psalm 90 and focused in on verse 12 which says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." With a heavy heart, I wrote myself a note in my Bible that said, "Don't waste your life, kid."

I can say very confidently, this summer was not a waste. At debrief, I was asked to summarize my whole summer in one sentence. To me, this seemed impossible. 8 weeks in one sentence? No way. But as I thought back over each and every person I met, only one sentence came to mind.

There is so much I could tell you about people God chose to use this summer and the way He revealed Himself to me and strengthened my faith. We could talk about perspective, about growth, about all the amazing things BlueSky has to offer, about how many kids we saw come to faith in Christ this summer, and so much more. But here is the gist of everything I could tell you... do not be afraid to follow the Lord and pursue the callings He places over your life. 

He can literally use anybody, even you. 
He can use your brokenness.
He can use your doubt.
He can use your mess-ups, your discouragements, your highs, and your lows. 
And I can promise you this... it will be worth it. Every. Single. Time. He is so so faithful, and He will never stop pursuing us.

Thank you so much to each and every one of you that supported me both financially and in prayer. Your encouragement and support meant the world, and I could not have made it through the summer without you all. I cannot wait to share the next adventure the Lord takes me on, and as I said last year when I returned home from NYC,

Until everyone sees.
Until everyone hears.
Until everyone knows.
Send me.

-Amy

Read more about Amy's summer in Kenya on her blog.

Jesus is worth it all

Kristen

-Kenya

Tune my Heart

The concert is beginning in 15 minutes. The director stands in front of the band and prepares them for what is to come...the big performance. But first, he takes a moment to have each player tune their instrument. A push here, a pull, a twist there, and the instrument is ready to make beautiful music. Without that proper alignment beforehand, the concert would be a little flat and a little less beautiful.

Two weeks ago, I sat down in the floor for a time of worship with 20 new faces. As we were about to begin, the worship leader got up and moved to a separate room, urging us to spend a moment in prayer while he tuned his guitar. I asked God, "Lord what does it mean to be tuned?"

I think it is absolutely amazing how God prepares us before hand for the things we will experience. Much like the band director, he meets us face to face and refines our hearts and renews our spirits. This tuning isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it requires a push, a pull, a twist. Sometimes we have to let go of things, or be thrown into situations that we do not understand. But in the end, as we take a deep breath and breathe into the instruments God has given us, all the refining comes out in a beautiful song. A song that magnifies and glorifies the Lord. A song that makes His name known among the nations.

I saw the way the Lord tuned my heart a week ago to prepare me for the days to come. As I was walking to a local school in a village I was visiting, I was greeted by a sweet 6th grade girl named Belinda. We walked and talked for hours. It started with all the small talk imaginable. From favorite colors, to siblings, to hobbies, and everything in between. When Belinda told me she loved to read, I asked her if she had a Bible to read. (She attended a Christian school, so I was assuming that she at least had one.) When I asked her this, she smiled and said, "Yes, I read it every day and every night." She shared with me her favorite Bible verse in both Swahili and English. Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!" For a girl that had so little, she knew exactly where her joy came from. This was so humbling to me, as it is so easy sometimes to fall into self pity and begin to lose sight of the joy I have in Jesus. Yet someone who seemingly has so much less than me still finds reasons to rejoice in the Lord in every single situation.

Belinda's thoughts on Philippians 4:4 continued to convict me and burden my heart. A few days later in worship, one of my leaders shared a passage of scripture. It came from none other passage than Philippians 4. Paul writes in verses 11-13, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." This passage is so much more than a passage to be tattooed on our arms, or quoted as we strive to pass a big exam. This is about being in deep physical need. We can conquer these things because we have Christ on our side and in our hearts.

Reading and meditating on Philippians 4 tuned my heart and prepared me for the next stop on our village ministry journey. We arrived in a village called Sirwa. Sirwa is a village in the mountains and is absolutely gorgeous. When we arrived at the home we were staying at, I was so convicted seeing the way in which these people live, yet still have so much joy. Their bathroom was nothing but a hole in the ground, their beds a simple mattress pad on the floor, and their meals humble. My heart ached for them, and for the rest of the people in the village seeing how little they had. We spent the next few days living life the way they did. I was not always comfortable, sometimes my tummy felt a little hungry, and my legs ached after walking hours just to get to destinations. But through it all, I gained a better understanding of what Paul was saying, as he faced times of plenty and times of need, learning to be content and joyful through it all. I am aware that my situation was nothing compared to Paul's, but I am so thankful for the way the Lord used Philippians 4 to prepare me and the way he used Sirwa to give me a better understanding of scripture.

When we let the Lord tune us, He draws us closer to Him and reveals more of Himself to us. By letting God pull, twist, and push on my heart, my eyes and heart have been opened to the things He is calling me to. It was not an easy tuning and sometimes it hurt, but now as I get ready for the "performance" ahead, the performance of sharing the gospel with those who have never heard, I am fully confident that it will be all the more beautiful because of the way I allowed the Director to spend time tuning me.

In this time of learning to be tuned by God and in tune with His spirit, I have found a new creed for my life. Here is how it goes:

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. 

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face or sacrifice, hesitate in the face of adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder in the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.

Lord, thank you for discomfort. Thank you for showing me that I have been blessed with so much, so that I may pour out to others. Humble me and help me to constantly rejoice and be content in all circumstances. Help me to never resist the fine-tuning of my heart, so that I may be in tune with you, and share you in a more beautiful way. Thank you for being the Director of my life, that always knows where I need a push, pull, or tug.  Amen.

-Amy
Camp & Community, Kenya

Team of the Day: Camp & Community

Location: Kenya
Team size: 7

Job description: Spend the summer as a camp counselor in Kenya making a lasting impact in the lives of campers. Teach a craft or sport, perform a crazy skit, share devotions & simply be a friend to this group of international campers. Some come from Christian backgrounds and others hear about Jesus for the first time during camp. Meet each child where they are & point them to Jesus. Spend non-camp weeks partnering with local ministries serving alongside them in local communities. (Slums, building projects, rural evangelism) This is a team in partnership with a local GCC and will not be working with IMB personnel.

1 more team to go!

We are back at the missionary's house for a few days before we head to team 5! The last team was incredible! Our supervisor has been praying for 10 years to start a church among the Maasai tribe, and 2 were initiated this past week! There have been 5 similar starts through our medical teams.

We have a few days to rest here, but we will be needing prayer as we head into this next week. As we mentioned in the last update, this team is anticipating a lot of spiritual warfare. We will be ministering in an area that is dominated by a local cult. This cult believes that there are "rainbows of colors of Jesus." In their faith, there is a brown Jesus, a white Jesus, a black Jesus, etc. This cult worships the black Jesus who they have now been waiting to raise from the dead for almost 20 years! Three days we will be traveling to islands to plant churches where there are none except for this cults churches. The rest of the days we will be targeting the area near the headquarters of this cult. We have heard that just being near this areas instills a sense of spiritual heaviness, so we imagine sharing the Gospel in this area will present its own challenges.

Prayer requests:

• For the teams safety as they travel
• For the meds to arrive in country successfully and not be questioned by customs
• The people that we will be seeing who may have never heard the Gospel
• For us as we are working: usually we have a break day in our work weeks. This week we will work 6 straight days, seeing anywhere from 500-600 patients a day. Please pray for strength to do so.

-Hope & Healing Team

God's Provision

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

Pray for team members to recognize their needs may only be met through God. Thank God for His provision in the lives of team members.

Team of the Day

Hope & Healing

Country of the Day

Kenya

Update from Kenya

The medical teams have been incredibly successful and God has done a lot of awesome work! Many patients have even been sent to get operations done that will either save their lives, or completely change them! Even more importantly, the Gospel has been shared with every single one of them and thousands have accepted Christ! To give you an even better visual, here is all that God has done this summer so far:
Medical patients: 5,362
Prescriptions given: 30,706
Children's ministry: 7,037
Construction: 2 churches, 1 widow's home

God has accomplished all this with just 3 teams, and we still have 2 more to go! Erin and I have still been working in triage and wound care. Some of the wound care has been pretty intense the past couple of days. Ashley expanded her horizons and worked in pharmacy a lot the past 2 weeks. It is so cool seeing her be flexible, leave the children's ministry for some time, and be willing to work where she is needed.

Please be praying especially for team 5. There are ZERO churches where we are going, but rather it is where the headquarters are for one of the largest cults in Africa. The President of CMN has been praying for 3 years to build a church in this area, and we will be planting one 2 miles away from the headquarters! Talk about the power of prayer! Please be praying against spiritual warfare, as we are anticipating it during these weeks. Also please pray for the new churches that have already been planted. In the past, Satan has had a way of attacking the newly formed churches. We know that God loves his Bride and is fighting for her, so we appreciate you joining alongside us in prayer.

Medical Clinics: Physical & Spiritual Health

The first medical team has came and gone, and it has been quite an interesting week! The ministry we are a part of really is quite incredible. Each day we travel between one to two hours into rural areas that do not have any evangelical churches. We set up our medical clinic near a school so the children's team, including our very own Ashley, can love on kids and share Jesus with them. Erin and I meanwhile, have been working in triage, pharmacy, and wound care. We see roughly 350-500 patients a day. As patients are waiting for their prescriptions to be filled, Kenyan pastors share the Gospel with them. Each of the 4 days of clinic we have seen so far have had at least 100 people come to faith! These 100+ people will make up the body of the new church with a pastor who CMN has already trained and prepared to lead a congregation! Ultimately, each day that we are on the field, more believers a made and a potential church is birthed... It really is quite an incredible way to do ministry!

The children's team has also done a fabulous job! They see anywhere from 100-700 children a day! Their goal is not only to love on the kids, but also to establish a good relationship between the principal of the school and the pastor of the new church. This is in hopes that the children and their families will know about the new church and come to faith as a result of it.

Now that the first team is gone, we have already packed up and headed out to a new area! Today we drove 6 hours and tomorrow we will drive another 3 before we arrive to our final destination for this week. We will have 4 days of clinic here, and then we will pack up and head a a new area! We are so grateful to be a part of an organization that has us bringing the Gospel to the unreached all across Kenya!

Prayer requests:

• For Erin, Ashley, and I to not get discouraged. Although there have been hundreds of salvations, because we don't directly get to share the Gospel, sometimes we forget our value as part of God's work here in Kenya
• For the medical teams arriving to travel safely and get through customs with the medications
• For the new believers and the new churches formed; please pray that they would really seek the Lord in this time and that God's word would strengthen them
• For this round of medical clinics. That ultimately our goal would be to bring the Gospel into these areas and not just to bring medical care. For the patients we see, that they would be receptive to the Gospel and find hope in Jesus

-Hope & Healing

The Calm Before the Storm

Hello everyone! This first week of our Hope and Healing Project has looked a lot different than the rest of the summer will. Starting on Monday, we begin our medical clinics, but because the teams are not here yet, we have been passing the time volunteering with local ministries and helping the missionary family that we are staying with.

Some of the days we have spent preparing for the medical teams to arrive. These days have consisted of sorting through thousands of different pills and separating them by the weeks they will be distributed.

Other days we have helped volunteer with local ministries. These have included orphanages, schools, a public hospital, home visits, and outreaching to at-risk children who live on the streets.

One day that stood out a lot to our team was this past Saturday where we had fellowship with the group of missionaries in this city. Our missionary family hosted the monthly gathering where we were able to hear about all the work God is doing through various ministries in the city. It was very encouraging to hear all that God is doing in this area.

Tomorrow we will be relocating to the missionary home in a more rural area of the country. We will be packing more pills in preparation for teams to arrive on Sunday and clinics to begin on Monday! Let the fun begin!

Prayer requests:

-For the medical teams to arrive safely
-For the medicine to arrive on time, and not be questioned by customs
-For the Kenyans that we will be serving
-For the health of the team members
-Good weather for the clinics
-For peace in our town (there have been some riots- we are safe- but it could potentially affect our ability to have the medical clinics)
-For the final week of our medical clinics: we have been told this week will be the most challenging with a lot of spiritual warfare

Meet the Team: Hope & Healing

Meet Ashley! Ashley is an elementary education major at Purdue University. She is our team leader & helps us as a team stay on track & make the most of the time we have been given.

Meet Erin! Erin is a nursing major at Purdue University. She is extremely relationship & has the gift of bringing laughter to others.

Meet Drea… oh wait, that’s me!  I am a nursing major at Texas Christian University. As a nursing major, I have a heart for caring for others & will work hard to do so this summer.

We are the Hope & Healing team heading to rural Kenya. We will be working with the Church Missions Network on medical teams, childcare teams, & feeding teams. We will primarily be using these tools to now only minister to the needy, but also to draw in a net of people to share the Gospel with. Around 500-600 people will hear the Gospel each day… many of whom have never heard it before! We are so excited to be a part of God[s work in Kenya this summer.