In 2009 I did not know where Kenya was. It was never my dream to travel to Africa. I had never been out of the United States and did not even have a passport. God had a plan for me to spend 10 days in June 2010 in a country that would change my outlook forever.
I tried to talk God out of sending me. I had concerns over the difficulty of getting there, raising the money, safety, language barriers, and opposition from some people close to me. God provided overwhelming affirmation that it was His desire. I could not resist anymore. I had never felt God’s guidance so strongly. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to be in control and handle all the details. Once I let go and trusted God with the details, things starting falling into place.
That first trip changed my outlook in ways I never imagined. I lost part of my heart to a place I had never been before. Kenya continued to tug at my heart. Whenever I spoke about the things I had seen and experienced, I would be overcome with emotion. I knew I needed to go back. This time I would be more intentional in seeking God’s purpose for sending me there. I knew I would face opposition. I knew if God wanted me to go a second time He would clear the way…. AND He did! God definitely opens doors!
Karogoto is the village where we spent our time. It is home for 3,000 families in the Central province of Kenya. Most homes do not have electricity or running water. Children spend two to three hours getting water each day. The leaders of Karogoto realize getting an education is a way to break the cycle of poverty for the children. The men on our team spent their mornings digging trenches to lay pipe to take water from a borehole to a cistern to make water easier to access.
The females in our group spent our mornings with the women of Karogoto doing storybooks of their lives and getting to know them. Each one of our team had at least five women that we worked with each day. We sang, danced, and praised God. Part of our afternoons was spent making home visits. Our team broke into five different groups and went with two Kenyan community leaders. These home visits allowed us to see firsthand what their lives were like and gave us opportunities to share.
The other part of our afternoons was spent at three different primary schools. The 410 Bridge had donated 18 knitting machines to the women of Karogoto, giving them a way to provide income for themselves and their family. The 410 Bridge contracted the ladies of Karogoto to knit sweaters for the neediest children at these primary schools. Our team got to participate in presenting the new sweaters to the children. Later there was time to play with the children.
When I was in Kenya I saw joy and a peace that are unimaginable. These people the world calls “poor” seemed so rich in love to me. They do not have STUFF to get in the way and separate them from God. Their joy is not based on things and circumstances. During our time spent with the Kenyans, we were able to provide encouragement and hope for the people we encountered in ways that writing a check or sending our money never could. We came to be a blessing to the Kenyans, but left feeling we were the ones who received a greater blessing from our time with them.
Brenda Parker
New Bern, NC
