Short-term mission trips never disappoint, and our Africa trip was no different! After a few days acclimating to the time change, elevation, and travel, we immediately hopped to work preparing for the Spiritual Life Conference. At SLC, sponsored by SIM, missionaries gather to receive rest, encouragement, and strength through God’s word and community. Two things gripped us as we started ministering to these missionaries: most of them were not American (God is calling people from India, Germany, Ethiopia, Bolivia, and the UK to win the lost in South Sudan!) and they were serving in extremely difficult and dangerous areas. Main goals at the conference included leading worship songs, teaching the Word of God to adults and children separately, connecting with and listening to the hearts of the missionaries, and giving time and space for deep discussions. We heard stories of heartache, danger, and disappointment; but we also heard stories of God’s power, comfort, and love for His people! God is working in the lives and minds of Muslims to bring them to Christ even in a neglected area of Africa! We learned about the cultures of various people groups and experienced the hospitality and love of the Church on another continent!

After the SLC, we returned to the AIM Air compound in Nairobi and prepared for a different ministry. We worked with Giving Back Hope Together (GBHT) to love on children who live in the slums of Nairobi. Many of these children have little to nothing in the form of clothing, food, and shelter. When schools are in session, GBHT gathers children on Saturdays to sing, play, share the gospel, teach the Word, and love! We used colored beads with bracelets to share the gospel message with these children. GBHT feeds the children, sends them home, and then welcomes teenagers to study God’s word together. We were amazed not only at the knowledge of scripture among these teenagers, but also at their love for each other and their leaders. The Lord is doing a work in a mostly forgotten area of the world!

Our group had several key takeaways from our time in Africa!

     1. Many missionaries were called to missions after a short term mission trip. Not only did they see and feel the need, but they found that missionaries are “normal people” who simply surrendered to God’s assignment for them.

     2. Presence is vital! Sure, we could give more money to people in other lands, but that won’t necessarily change their lives! They NEED us to show up, share the good news, and work alongside them to encourage, love, and educate people.

     3. God moves in the small and mundane areas of life as well as the big and exciting times. He is not limited to continental boundaries or people groups. Prayer is the key to His work on earth. God truly uses the weak and seemingly insignificant, but willing, people to miraculously bring His good news to the world. We simply must yield to His guidance and direction.

–Julie