2024 - Kenya Summer Trip

VBS days 💕

We have spent the last two days at the schools having VBS days with all the students! I’ll fill you in on what that looks like…

Fox River team members came with a plan ready… fun activities, Bible stories, crafts, and games that we would share with our students. Time was spent preparing for these days back home and now they have gotten to share and watch as their ideas came to life.

Nicole L, Tom and Susie, Jason and Larry all shared Bible stories.

Nicole P and Kristie, Taylor and Denise, Ethan all played games.

Jeanann and Sandy, Kim and Stevie, Jenni made crafts.

Caleb and Gwen had different activities for the 8th grade class!

And HUGE shout out to the awesome 7th grade class that were our extra hands and helped the teams execute their plans! ASANTE!

When I say the joy and laughter that is shared on these days is overflowing… I mean it is a constant overflowing and is so very contagious!

Jesus is shared through each and every activity and moment shared on these days… from the story to the s’mores the joy of the Lord is in these schools.

These days give us opportunity to spend loving these kiddos and their teachers! We love every moment!

We have wrapped up our time at the schools and have said our goodbyes to all the sweet faces and new friends! These days will hold such special memories in our hearts 💕

We will spend the next couple of days as a team getting to experience the Creator and His goodness as we admire His creation on Safari.

Full days and full hearts

We have had a couple full and wonderful days!

One of our favorite things to do here on the blog is have team members share with you. Stevie, Kim, and Nicole L are sharing today and we will post some bonus pictures below…

“My heart was over flowing today when I was able to meet the student I sponsor through fox river's my gift for Jesus. We live so far apart but God brought us together this week in Kenya!” ~Stevie

“I can’t begin to share all the different emotions and experiences on this missions trip after just 3 days, having the opportunity to meet my sponsor child (Rose) but I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing what just $25 a month can do in the lives of these children, families and schools. I’ve seen it first hand and now I want to sponsor Rose’s sister too! Jesus is Strong, mighty and faithful in any language, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to witness his work and provision for these beautiful new friends!” ~Kim

“Today was another awesome day filled with God’s goodness and love. The students we meet love to dance, play, and laugh with us. Here are some smiles and dancing from the day - there were thousands more smiles shared and hundreds more memories that we all will cherish!

We also got to meet our sponsor students! Meet Karen, she is 6, in grade 1, and is as cute as ever! Here’s her dad, cousin, and many friends in the community. We got to pray together at the end. If you think of Karen and these others students and community, please pray that they continue to know how much Jesus loves them!

And the teachers ARE incredible!
To all my educator friends out there following this blog, get this…. The teachers leave all their students (about 36 in a classroom), pp1 (our 4k) through 8th grade in their classrooms, alone to continue learning or on break outside (recess) while they ALL meet for breakfast and lunch together. And the kids, they stay listening and learning without harm or chaos!!

So, being a social worker in education and helping with many behaviors both in the classroom, l and outside of it I asked - how can this happen? And the teacher I spoke to share about how much their Pastor is involved in meaningful conversations with the children about God’s love for them and how to behave.

Being in public education back home I find that being told you can’t talk about Jesus leaves me feeling sad. One teacher today told me, as a follower of Christ you can’t help but want to share Jesus all the time. And it’s true, Jesus is the way-my way to be the best educator and person I can. These teachers and kids at Bomani know and love God and they are thriving in their education! It’s full of life, hope, joy, and love at New Life school in Bomani, Africa. And my prayer and hope is to bring this type of joy that only comes from the Lord to the students and staff I work at when I return!” ~Nicole L

Kenya Team 2024

The team has gathered for last several months to prepare and get to know each other. We have sat in meetings discussing all things about traveling, what fun things we will do with our sponsored students, the experiences we will get to have, we have prepared our hearts by spending time in the Word, we have prayed for the mission and for each other… we came together to live out the Fox River mission ‘A Heart for People and a Message of Jesus’.

This past weekend we gathered for our last pre trip meeting, packing day, and team commissioning. This weekend is the last checkpoint before we take off!!

Packing day is always one that comes with a bit of stress wondering if we will get all of our supplies neatly sorted and into our limited space. And yet, each and every time God says ‘watch this’ and we get it all and then some packed and ready to go serve the people of Kenya! We cannot wait to use these supplies to love and bless the kiddos and staff at the schools!

Another special moment is when the team is commissioned by the Fox River congregation. This moment always reminds us that Fox River people are what make these trips and this mission possible! Without the generosity and prayers of those of you right here at home, these things would not be happening. Thank you for allowing and sending this team to represent so many of you!

Pastor Guy and Denise left this past weekend and have arrived in Kenya safely. Pastor Guy will spend the week teaching and pouring into Pastors at the pastors conference and connecting with partners. Denise will be meeting with our partners and preparing for the team to arrive.

The team will start our journey on Sunday, July 21.

We will be posting here and on the Fox River Missions, Facebook and instagram pages. Follow along!