Our team arrived in Nairobi after. Along day of travel.  One group Departed Billings for Seattle, while the rest of the team left a few hours later and traveled through Chicago. We all met up together in London and made our way down to Kenya.  What a fun team of people. We are excited to share this experience and all the memories that will be made together.

After a long nearly 2 days of travel, we were able to rest for the night and enjoy a relaxing morning in Nairobi before catching one last flight taking us from Nairobi to Kisumu.  Willis from CGA met us along with 2 other vehicles.  We crammed all 20 pieces of luggage, plus, backpacks and the 15 of us into 3 mini vans (that as a trick!), and made our way to a guest house for the night before our 2.5 hour drive tomorrow that will take us to Mbita.

We arrived in Mbita on Saturday morning, and dropped off our bags at our housing location for the week (SEEK - local ministry near CGA).  We were able to tour the school campus, gather with some of the staff, and enjoy our first meal and time of fellowship.

On Sunday, we divided into 5 groups to attend various churches in the community along with CGA staff members. It was a beautiful experience of worship in a new culture and very different context … yet the same God!

Monday began a week full of opportunity to see CGA in action.  250 children on campus for school; ready to advance their academic education, but also learn from a Biblically integrated perspective interweaving both life and faith.

The children and staff are full of such joy and gratitude for this place that God has provided for them to learn and work.  It’s nearly impossible to describe the importance and impact of CGA on the lives it touches.

This week we are blessed to serve side by side with the staff and simply join in what God is doing every day in this place.  We have been able to teach new games up on the field, and do simple art and craft projects that they are so excited to do and have a simple yet so meaningful thing to take home.  In between those activities we are able to slip into classroom to observe the teachers do their thing, and enjoy times of interaction and laughter during the porridge break and lunch times.

Each afternoon we have been able to divide as a team and visit the homes of CGA students who are sponsored by members of the team.  How meaningful this visits are to each of us, but also to the children and their caretakers cannot be but into works.  Our eye are opened the realities of the struggle and pain may have experienced, but also the hope that CGA has provided.  These are the shared moments that not only make memories that last a lifetime, but also connect our heart to this place that will forever be left behind.  This is when CGA has become so very real to us all.

On Friday, as we wrapped up the ministry week at CGA, we had the honor of hosting a gathering of 100+ widows (mama’s) who are the care takers of the children who attend CGA.  It was wonderful to see their joy as they gathered, share testimonies of grief and God’s faithfulness in the midst of losing people we love.   Team members shared their own stories of losing a spouse, losing a child, and losing their parents. These powerful testimonies spoke deeply and revealed the glory and character of God despite difficult circumstances; learning to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12)

As our time in Mbita came to an end, the goodbyes were plenty.  It was hard give those last few hugs and wave goodbye.  Seeing the children and staff we got to know and love leaving the school campus, not know if or when we might see them again, brought a few tears.  Our hearts were deeply connected this week, genuine love and relationships were formed, and a piece of us all will be left behind in this wonderful place.

Kwaheri kuonana (Goodbye, we hope to see you again).