Angie's Experience on Mission
The message
In February 2023, I received a message from a friend. She wanted to know if I had a passport. Not knowing if she was kidding or not my response was, "yes, where are we going". Her response was, "pray about it". So, I prayed about it. What a blessing it is to have friends that The Lord uses to speak to us! Thanks, Sieg!
In your hands Lord...
On February 26th, 2023, after a few weeks of praying we started thinking about funding for the trip and what it would look like for our family. My husband and I really felt The Lord calling me to the mission trip with Trinity Ablaze in Kenya. On February 27th, 2023, I sent out emails to family and friends asking them to partner with me. Sereval of them partnered with me, along with LifeBridge Community Church. In 10 days, the majority of the trip was funded! Praise you Jesus!
Preperation
We secured the plane ticket with British Airways and applied for a Visa. Shots: I needed one last shot in the three-shot series for the Hep A/B and a Tetanus Shot. I had a few side effects from those shots, and they lowered my immune system. Due to that experience, I was kind of worried about getting the others. I got the last 2 shoots and a pill for yellow fever the week of Easter. Prayers were answered, I had no side effects! Thank you, Lord!
B I B L E yes, that's the book for me...
While leading a Bible Study group about getting to know your study Bible, I was really hungry to be in God's Word, so I started reading different books of the Bible: Jonah, Acts, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Revelation. Also, a book called "Heaven Rules" by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth; it was in the book of Daniel. Every one of these books impacted me while I prepared for the trip! The peace of The Lord was present every step of the way.
Heaven Rules... God is in control!
Training
On May 6th the TAIK group met for the first time for training. Richard and Dan did a great job preparing us for the upcoming mission to Kenya.
We worked on team building activity's, learned about how the eye clinic would run while on mission, and we took turns checking each other's eyes.
Picture of my reading... things change when you turn 40...
Leaving on a jet plane
Meeting everyone at the airport and heading to Nairobi, Kenya. Houston-London was around 10 hours, then London-Nairobi, Kenya was around 10 hours. I got to spend a little bit more time getting to know the rest of the team thanks to the delays! We arrived at our first stop in Kenya around 3 am, got a short nap, and headed out. Thank you, Lord for keeping us safe!
Little Daughter's
My room
Nothing wrong with a place to Strech out on when you're tired. I do not even remember what the bed was like. The mosquitos' nets were helpful as well! Thank you, Lord for a safe place to put my head down!
Outside
Outside was beautiful, I enjoyed all of the trees, shrubs, and lush landscapes.
Nairobi National Park-Safari
We went to the Park for about 5 hours. It was very beautiful, and IT WAS HUGE. You could spend all day driving around it and never see it all. The hills and valleys, with the clouds made it picture perfect. Even though the pictures could not compare to the view.
Dauphin, Berry, and I in the van heading into the park.
Giraffes
Scenic View
Rhinoceros
Top Left: The lioness after she found her cubs. Bottom Left: Our safari group after lunch at the Courtyard. Middle: My favorite spot at the safari, all of the animals in perfect harmony.
Sisters maybe?
Got a closer look at this giraffe.
Ostriches were seen all over the park in grouping of 5 or more.
Rhinos were found all over the park as well.
Looks like a three-headed giraffe.
Lioness and cubs with over 20 vehicles around them.
Grey crowned crane
Giraffe
School of Hope
Ewuaso Osiligi School & Rescue Center
Some of our TAIK team went out for a day while we were all in Kenya. Some of the folks on our team serve on the KSOH board: Bill, Jeanne, Rosemary, Richard, Marilyn, and Gloria. If you would like to know, more click the link.
VISION AND PURPOSE
Kenyan Schools of Hope believes every child should have a place to feel safe, be loved, and have the opportunity to reach their potential.
SAFETY. HOPE. EDUCATION.
HOPE PROVIDED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
At Kenyan Schools of Hope we are providing for young girls a sanctuary from female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriage (FEM). Both of these practices dramatically impact the lives and well being of the girls and lead them toward greater struggles in life. The hope, healing and protection of Jesus Christ can be found at Ewaso Osiligi Center.
Teaching and sharing
Games
TAIK team with the girls!
Our team is getting to head out to 4 different areas to host the eye clinics.
Top Row: Bill, Pastor Matt, Jeanne, Sharon, Connie, Diane, Casey, Deb
Middle Row: Andrea, Cathy, Kim, Amy, Ann, Phyllis, Emily, Gloria, Marilyn, Richard
Bottom Row: Dan, Dauphin, Rosemary, Ava, Berry, Angie, Amy
Rolling out to Rongo
4 X 4 van for the next 6 days!
The Great Rift Vally
Cool Tree
This was an 8 1/2-hour trip, we stopped for lunch. Vincent our driver did a great job getting us to Rongo! We went through some large towns, and some smaller towns. One thing that we noticed is there was always someone by the road, watching the cattle, sheep, or farming. It was truly a beautiful drive, but it was very long. Thank for the opportunity to see Gods creation!
Rongo
Cardinal Otunga
We stayed 6 nights and 5 days. We left at dark and returned as the sun was setting.
St. Clare
Rooms were set up with saint's names. Females one side and males on the other.
The mosquito net was needed.
Clinic Days
We arrived around 8:30 am in the morning and left around 4:30-5:00 pm. The eye clinic was hosted by Pastor Fred's church. The clinic location was hosted by Pastor Kebabe in Monianku. There were 6 stations and cataract surgery if needed.
Beautiful morning view.
Registration booth was the white tent. Behind that was the waiting area, and triage /second touch.
Evangelist area.
Waiting area to see the doctor. Inside the place by the blue door.
Reader Station with Samwel and Angie, Rosemary and Emmanuel.
Emmanuel and Deb worked the auto refractor.
If distant glasses are needed, they got to see Diane and Berry.
Cataract surgery.
Monday-Friday Clinic
Monday Clinic
We had a crazy amazing day at the clinic. We loaded in the van at 7:30 am to head to the clinic location, it was around an 1-1/2 drive. The last 5 miles probably took the longest because they were not paved at all. At the same time some of the paved road had what looked like a ditch going across it. Again, the view was just stunning. I worked at triage and the reader station. Both were equally interesting and important. At triage we got to talk to them and pray with them, it was very impactful to me. The Holy Spirit was moving in that place. The reader station was touching in a different way. Seeing the smile come across each face when they could read the words on the track was truly amazing! We thought we saw about 300 people, but the numbers did not add up to that. We noticed later in the week that people left and came back different days thought-out the week. 10 people received cataract surgery.
View on the road to and from the clinic.
View on the road to and from the clinic.
Shadrach was very helpful translating.
Samwel was very helpful translating.
After we started shutting down the children began to come around. They were 4-12 years old. One of them shared the liked to play hand ball (I didn't catch on till later in the week that they were talking about volleyball). So, I decided to crumble a piece of paper and show them how to hit it. We played what we might call jack pot. I hit the ball in the air, and they would all try to catch it. They really enjoyed playing and the excitement was electric. They laughed when I gave them high fives.
There were also a few issues that made things difficult for all of our team. Our partners and prayer teams prayed for patience for each person that gets to come through the clinic. They prayed for their hearts, for them to get plugged into their community of faith. Prayed that we all get to take a break on Tuesday. Prayed for our health as we rested and recovered from the day and prayed for strength and courage for our team to do it all again.
The lady with the eye patch had surgery today. The other lady with the purple we found her readers.
Rosemary and I worked the reader station today. These littles and I had a chance to play hand ball.
Funny picture with my friends.
Tuesday Cinic
We all woke up and sent new prayer request to are prayer teams. While putting on the Armor of God to prepare for the day.
We rejoiced in thanksgiving for the answered prayers. It was great day! Organization was key! Today the volunteers really helped keep order! We had Gloria and Julius with us which made our team stronger. We all made a differece!
We saw over 300 people today. 15 people on the list for cataract surgeries. The volunteers fired up generator so they could get light to keep going. Rosemary and I saw 126 just at the reader station. The smiles on their faces once again said it all!
We helped this gentleman yesterday find readers and he came back for distance glasses. He was so happy!
Rosemary and I helped this sweet lady yesterday as well, and she came back for distance glasses. She was so happy!
Mogoi is in the middle he got his new glasses and readers today and was happy as well. Joel was my translator.
We talked a little about Daniel 3. Joel asked if he could read my Bible.
Lunch
Rice, and beans was a beautiful site. Made me think of my husband. That banana tasted kind of like a potato, not bad at all. Goat meat, not bad reminds me of deer meat. The green vegetable was pumpkin leaf.
Dinner
Tonight's dinner was probably my favorite! Ground meat, rice, greens, and lentils. The chapati (looks like a tortilla) I added honey to it!
Baseball
Today, I made a ball and bat out of materials from the clinic and sticks the kids found. They had a blast! Their hand eye coordination was better than mine! The little one that I was giving a high five to, showed the next batter how to bat. They are each teachable and coachable. I am not completely sure on their ages, but I think T-Ball age (4-5 years old).
Wednesday Clinic
Hey yall!
We saw 248 people today at the clinic, 11 cataract surgery (I got to witness two of them) 5 salvations (please pray for follow up).
Today was different then the last two days. We arrived to the clinic about 8:40 am and got started right away. The plan was to work with volunteers so they could run the station. They did a great job!
I got to witness 2 cataract surgeries! 15 minutes is about how long it took each surgery. It took longer to get everything prepared, then it took to complete the surgery. I was kind of in disbelief watching the surgery as I have never experienced anything like it.
I had a great conversation with Pastor Kebabe over lunch about his family and community of faith.
We got back from lunch and started preparing for rain. Somewhere around 2pm it started to rain, right about the same time the Chief Health person for Kisii County showed up. (Her scheduled time to arrive was 9am... got to love the Kenya time). She had another lady with her. They have their work cut out for them.
I had some time to speak with Pastor Fred about his church. It has been going a little over a year. One of the things they struggle with is keeping the youth involved, and the other is the woman. So, I talked a bit about our youth and women ministry's at LifeBridge. It was interesting to see how our congregations compared, and to share ways to help fuel these two ministries for the Glory of the Lord. Please join me in praying for these ministries and church as they grow.
I didn't sleep well las night due to mosquitos' bits. I asked for prayers for a good night's sleep with no mosquitoes for all of my team. Prayers were answered! Praise Jesus!
Pastor Kebabe
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Please join me in praying for his congregation to help support his family as he preaches and teaches in their community.
Pastor Fred
Monianku KELC Church
Please join me in praying for his congregation as they try to develop and grow in the way the Lord is leading them.
This is Samwel, he is one of the founders of the Monianku Maternaty & Nursing Home. He is also one of the elders for Moniaku KELC Church. He is a retired professor.
He helped translate at my station most of the time. I enjoyed our conversations.
This is Joel, he is one of the elders of Moniaku KELC Churh. He also helped translate at my station most of the time. I enjoyed our conversations as well.
I had the privilege to watch this man get cataract surgery. He was so brave. Later I found out that this was his second surgery of the week.
Joel and Hebron working together to help us move a little faster to get everyone seen while it was raining.
Joel and Hebron working together.
Tring to get a picture in the rain. Adults are worse the children when it comes to getting everyone to look at same time.
Thursday Clinic
We had a great day! Served 305 people, 11 people received cataract surgery, between yesterday's clinic and today's clinic 10 people accepted Jesus into their life! Every night this week the evangelist team has been sharing a Jesus video.
Pastor Fred shared a story this morning with us: "A man called at 6 am to get prayer and to ask Jesus into his heart. He could not wait another minute, he had tossed and turned all night, and was ready." God is on the move in Kisii County y'all! Please join us in praying for the Lord to move more hearts and direct the new believers to a community they can be discipled in!
A SMILE truly can make a difference! Looking across the crowed tent from my station I see a lot of people that have peace and others that seem to have none. Sometimes they don't smile back when they see me smiling at them from across the tent. However, when they are in front of us at the reader station and I smile, then help them, it's like they see the presents of God shining through me, and they smile back!
Tonight, I had the opportunity to lead the devotion. I wasn't sure what I was going to use till we got back to Rongo. The Lord guided me to Philippians 1:3-11. It's titled "Thanksgiving and Prayer". My heart for these people, in this place, at this time is full of joy and thanksgiving. That I just can't contain it! I was so overwhelmed with so much joy from what I have experienced this week that I could hardly speak. Look it up Philippians 1:3-11 for yourself and see how God has been doing a good work through you. I have truly enjoyed the time that I have spent getting to know the Trinity Ablaze in Kenya team. The team in Kenya that helped get everything organized Catherine, Julius, and Gloria. Pastor Fred and Pastor Kebabe for hosting and volunteering! Philippians 1:6 says this: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!" We are doing a good work here, but it started long before we arrived. The churches here prepared, each person that came had to prepare, and every one of us has partners at home that supported us and is standing with us in prayer!
Doctors
Dr. Erick (pictured) and Dr. Jane (pictured) and Dr. John saw every person that came through the clinic. I think it's safe to say they were the MVP's. Beautiful hearts.
Surgeon
This is the surgeon and his nurses. They performed all of the cataract surgeries each day. Amazing work for sure!
Chickens
Free range chickens hung out with us during the clinic each day.
This woman was so pleased with her sight the morning after surgery!
The opportunity to see! He is from the Maasai Tribe. This morning he came back to get his bandage removed and to be evaluated (one of the cataract surgeries I watched).
Behind him is his grandson. He looks pretty excited as well. The oldest grandchild is designated caretaker for their grandparents that need assistants.
Because of the surgery and the restoring of sight that took place two lives are forever changed.
These two guys left on a motor bike (AKA picky picky).
Friday Clinic
Today, was our last day at the clinic. I can't believe it! I am going to leave part of me here with them. This has been a wonderful experience. Every brother and sister that I connected with has left a lasting impression on me. I am so blessed!
It was an emotional day. I think tears started with every conversation about Gods work, thanksgiving, our new friends, their community, and us leaving. Our God is amazing! We serviced 327 (that's a special number to me) people today, 11 cataract surgeries, and 23 salvations between last night's Jesus movie and today. Also have two orphans to follow up with.
We closed kind of early to do a ceremony. I had the privilege of sharing with them Philippians 1:3-11 for thanksgiving and prayer that we leave with them. God gave me the strength I needed to read it with passion with some tears! The volunteers received certificates.
This gentleman sat at my station and we could not find readers wide enough for his face so I asked Berry if he could make him a set! Berry did a great job!
This is a husband (49) and wife (47) that came in the clinic together. Our entire team helped them in one way or another. I don't recall seeing many married couples coming through the clinic. So, I thought it was noteworthy.
This beautiful baby girl let me hold her for a very short time until she realized her mother was not close.
Hebron's mother came to the clinic today. Hebron and Rosemary helped her find some readers.
Rosemary and I laughed so much throughout the trip!
Laughing at each other. Rosemary and Julius are in the pictures with me. Julius drove us everywhere and was also essential to our team! MVP
Diane, Rosemary, myself, and Robert (worship leader). Robert helped each person after they left the doctor so they could move to the next station.
Emmanuel, Rosemary, myself, and Berry. Emmanuel is studying to be a doctor.
Emmanuel, Rosemary, myself, and Samwel. Samwel is Emmanuels father. Emmanuel was born in the place behind us.
Everyone decided to jump in for a picture!
Pastor Fred sharing Philippians 1:3-11 in Kisii language.
Everyone after the ceremony.
Please join us in praying for Pastor Freds prayer request.
Saying see you later!
We didn't get to play the last two days. But they brought the ball back every day in hopes that we would get to play.
The courtyard needs a trim, so they let the cows in.
Kisii Team
Angie, Rosemary, Diane, Berry, Deb, and Gloria. Gloria was our leader. She has served in Kenya for many years as a nurse professionally, on missions, and knows the language. Deb also served in Kenya for many years as a nurse and knows the language. It was a plesure to serve with this team! We are so blessed!
Saturday -Traveling
Saturday morning we headed out at 6:30 am to head back to Karen, Kenya to join the rest of our team. Vincent was our driver. I think we made it around 7 1/2 hours.
Pictures on the road
4-5 guys hanging out the open door on the side of the van.
Tolite stop while getting gas.
Baboons on the side of the road.
Cattle crossing. This was in The Great Rift Vally.
Picky picky can move livestock too.
Hay.
Picky picky loaded down.
The Great Rift Valley heading back to Karen.
This is us!
Stir-Fry noodles with chicken!
It was so good! At the Courtyard.
Our driver
Vicent drove us to Rongo on Sunday and picked us up to head back to Karen Saturday morning. Thank you Vicent!
Heading home
The light is bright at night.
Back of the bus!
Loaded down to go check in. Pastor Matt is ready too.
You know me!
Saying see you later to Rosemary!
Richard and Marilyn.
Loading onto our last flight! London after a delay!
Trinity Ablaze in Kenya
Trinity Ablaze in Kenya mission trip hit me deep in the heart! I am filled with so much joy! Thank you Lord for everything you have done! I'm forever changed by the work you did in and through me and every person I connected with centered around this trip!
We had four teams go out and service in different areas in Kenya, Africa. In total we served 7151 Kenya people, 4514 received glasses, 294 cataract surgeries, and 343 salvations. These numbers help paint a picture however, it doesn't quite cover all the lives that will be forever changed by the seeds that were planted, and the watering that took place. I plan to share stories of this trip for years to come, and I 'm sure my team, and Kenya friends will do the same.
If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message.
Family souvenirs
I was really at a loss when thinking about what to bring home for my family on the day that we had extra time to shop for souvenirs. Then, I remembered that someone told me I could take home knife in my check bag. So, when we stopped to get a look at The Great Rift Vally the plan started coming together. I found a knife for my oldest son, and hats for my two youngest sons. At that moment I knew my theme for the souvenirs would be the Armor of God. On the way back to Karen we got to make a stop and I picked up the shield for my husband, the shuka cloth for the beautiful young lady in the front, and the beaded necklace for myself.
Shield of Faith: Given to my husband because he is the head of our household and commissioned with the task of shielding us from all the things.
Sword of the Spiri: Given to my oldest son so that he can help protect our family. He also has a collection.
Helmet of Salvation: Given to my two youngest sons. So that they can stay focused on building a foundation in Christ.
Belt of Truth (Shuka cloth): Given to the beautiful young lady that has stolen my sons heart. She stands firm in her faith, and I am proud of her. She has brought so much joy to our family. She will be able to cover our family in prayer and love as always.
Breast Plate of Righteousness: Breast Plate is a reminder of the importance to reflect Christ in all that I do.
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: When preparing for this trip I need to find shoes that would help me with my feet issues. The shoes help me be ready and at peace as I went out. My feet have not felt this healthy in years! Thank you, Jesus!
2nd: When picking out souvenirs for my family I thought it would be cool if I could also use them for a lesson with our youth group at church. We had a great time talking about learning about the Amor of God.