From the Inside Out

I have been asked to do a quick “inside” look from a parents perspective on this amazing journey to Africa with the best students in the world!

Six weeks prior to departure, in my first prep meeting for Kenya, Jon Brooks asked the question to the group, “What are your concerns for the trip?”. Having the opportunity to do some third world mission work in the past, I was expecting to hear the students talk about safety or health issues. One concern was voiced. Jordan Dunnington said, “I just hope that we will be able to really connect with the people there.”

With four full days completed in the trip, I have seen all of your sons and daughters really connect with the people of Kenya. At the February, Tuesday noon prep meeting for Kenya, Mr. Brooks closed out the meeting with prayer. In the prayer he prayed for the concern that Jordan made. God has incredibly answered the prayer.

On Tuesday of this week, sitting in a living room of a mud brick home in a remote area outside of Kitui, Kenya, I had the privilege of watching Brittney lead a ten year old little girl to the Lord. Karla, in her venture with her group that day was able to lead three young women to the Lord. I watched Jordon connect to the students of a private Christian high school for secondary students who cannot afford the cost for public secondary school. Jordan was the first student to share his testimony on the trip. That meeting that day was incredible. It concluded with Mackensie, Karla and Grayson praying for a girl in the class who surrendered her life to the Lord.

The next day was hard. As I walked through the compound of the orphanage for the blind with my son Ben, a little girl, around three years old, mentally challenged and blind, eased over to Ben, slipped her little fingers into Ben’s hand. Ben responded with a squeeze of her little fingers. As soon as she knew that someone was responding to her introduction, she wheeled around and lifted her arms. Ben picked her up and she was so delighted. This little girl warmed up to many in the group that day after Ben let her know that we cared. With Lauren always smiling her beautiful smile, who wouldn’t know that we cared?!

The following day the students were scheduled to share their testimonies and a skit in the plaza (dirt) of a small village. To reach the masses of people expected that day, Dexter had the daunting task of setting up a sound system that he’d never seen before. With great care, he did a beautiful job. The skit performed by most of the students was so powerful. The skit was put together by Sarah and connected to the large group of kids who crammed in the “front row” of the plaza. A group of people came forward that night to receive Christ.

Since then I have seen your child connect with baby orphans, one puked on Kristen, play games with older orphans, cry over their presentation to us called “Out of the Forgotten has come the Begotten”. We have moved through the masses, crossed the country, eaten some goat, killed a goat (not in that order), and made some incredible friendship of the Kenya ministry team here, which will cause down right depression upon departure next week.

I have learned from your kids and mine this week that the kingdom of God is about connecting people, through relationships, to Jesus. I say this because, according to Matthew 6:33, when we do so, God takes care of the health and safety issue. I believe that Jordan, and your child as well, believes this. God has enriched their lives here in Africa as a result of their faith.


This post written by: Dirk Stricklin