2017 Kenya Mission Team

The 2017 Kenya Mission Team is preparing for their trip to Kenya July 16 - 29. While in Kenya we will:

• Build relationships with missionaries and staff at the 2 Fox River schools
• Spend time with our 800 primary school kids to have fun and love on them!
• Visit our high school students 
• Host large community outreach days with sporting events, fun activities and a gospel presentation
• Pastor Guy will speak at a pastor's conference sponsored by Fox River
• Take the 8th graders on a field trip to their zoo
• Build a mud hut for a family in the community
• Distribute the solar lamps donated by Fox River sponsors

Will you join me in praying for the team as they prepare for all that God has in store for them?

Nica. Team Peparation

If you haven't heard yet, let us catch you up on some exciting news! Fox River High School Students are headed to Nicaragua this summer to partner with the local church and help them reach out to their community in ways they otherwise might not be able to. The trip is right around the corner and we are in full preparation mode. 

Every year the teams put together a VBS to host at the schools in the communities surrounding La Esmeralda. The students have been preparing and putting all the different pieces together to make it a great experience for the children who will attend. From helping write a script for the bible story that we will share, to planning games, craft, and learning songs. We do this preparation together as a team, and as a team we get to make an impact for the kingdom.

The drama team practicing the story of Jericho. 

Team building during our meetings, it went very well. 

Time is flying by and we will be in Nicaragua before we know it. There are still a few things left on our to-do-lists. First being the Run For Love that is TOMORROW Saturday, May 20th. The run is a fundraiser for the hygiene packs that we will be giving away while in Nicaragua. The hygiene packs give the team an opportunity to bless the Nicaraguans with some items like tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, rain poncho, nail clippers, and a few other things that will enable them and their family to live a little more comfortable than they usually would get to, and also provide us an unique opportunity to share the gospel with every family that we come in contact with.

Edit: We had a great morning at the Run for Love!!   The rain held out for us!

There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into making these trips a success. Prayer is one of the most important parts of it! You can join our team by praying for us. Here are some specific ways you can join us in prayer...

• Pray for us as we start to prepare our hearts for the working that God will do in and through us.
• Pray for the VBS events that we will host for these children to understand Christ's love for them.
• Pray that any nerves or fears would be taken away and replaced by trust in God and his sovereignty in all of the planning and work we have done to prepare.  We believe he will bless our preparation.
• Pray for the families that will be impacted by the hygiene pack outreach that we get to do.
• Pray for God to show up in mighty ways that surprise even the most expectant member of our team.
• Pray for God to bring unity as we bring two groups of people from different cultures together to work for the common goal, God's glory, as we become one team.

10 Years in Kenya

Ten years ago this month Fox River opened 2 schools north of Mombasa, Kenya in the villages of Vipingo and Bomani. We started with three kindergarten classes for ages 4, 5, and 6. The school year runs from January through October so that first class had some catching up to do. Each year a class was added until the primary schools were completed through grade 8 in 2015.

Our schools have grown from 180 children in 2007 to 800 children in 2017. Two classes have finished their primary education and are now in high school.

The class of 2017 is the first class that has gone all the way through our schools. The students and staff have been such a joy to partner with in this ministry. We want to praise God for all He has done!

2007 Crossroads Academy students, staff and the team from Fox River in Vipingo.

2016 Crossroads Academy students and staff in Vipingo.

2007 New Life Academy students in Bomani.

2016 New Life Academy students and faculty in Bomani.

Missionary Jim Horne and Fatuma in 2007.

Fatuma in 2017 as a freshman in high school.

It brings us great joy to see how these children are growing and finding their full potential. Fatuma is a good student. She is happy, healthy and full of hope for a bright future!

Please join us in praising God for all He has done in the last 10 years!

Soccer Ministry

Soccer League!  Did you know Fox River partners with and supports a soccer league in Nicaragua??

Check this out!! It's super cool and we are so excited to share about it today!  

This soccer league is a growing thriving ministry.   

The league is used to reach youth and give them a place to come and get involved in a relatable, fun and safe way! 

The importantance of this ministry...

In Nicaraguan culture it is very easy to get caught up in worldly influence, as it is in our culture.  These young men could get caught up in various different things that aren't good for them... amongst those things is joining gangs and engaging in violence. 

We don't want that for them.  That is why the goal of the sports ministry is to give them an encouraging environment that they can participate in, an environment that promotes a relationship with Christ that they can be in!

They are also being given practical skills to become leaders in their community and in their families.

To be an active member and to play in the league... they are asked to participate in devotions at each practice/game and are required to attend at least one church service each week.  Although this may sound strange they have seen that is a very effective way of reaching these youth.

Through this ministry teens are realizing their need for a Savior and being saved.

We have seen it... One of these young men is a crucial leader in the church and has plans to attend seminary.  

It is truly beautiful to see and hear about how God is using something like soccer to bring people into his family and it is our honor to have a part in this working! 

Light Up Kenya!

Every evening thousands of children in Kenya sit down and do their homework by kerosene-powered light. However, the soot emitted from the burning lamps is not only an environmental hazard but the toxic fumes could be causing children serious harm and putting them at risk of respiratory illnesses.

The 2017 Fox River Kenya Team is raising funds to provide solar lamps for the children in our schools. A $20 donation provides a solar lamp for a school family and helps send the team to distribute them.

Would you consider giving a donation? Please click HERE for more information or to make a donation.

Thank you!

RunforLove/SpringCleaning

 

Our Nicaragua team is ready for a busy spring.  Check out how you can be a part...

Spring Cleaning Rentals

Do you have any spring clean up, normal clean up, things that need to be fixed up?  We have a team looking for support and ready to do any kind of job.  

April 24th-May 9th rent some students (and adults) to come help you out around the house, yard, barn, neighborhood...

You can contact Pastor Mike - mfrancisco@foxriverchristian.org - if you have any questions or go ahead and schedule a team here. 

All donations (which are tax deductible) will go to helping our Fox River Students go to Nicaragua this June to join in on God's work!  

And....  5k Run for Love!! 

IT'S BACK!!!   Have you been training??  

Saturday, May 20th!  Don't miss it!!

Runners, Walkers.... EVERYONE!!!  

Register here!!

Each registration will fund a hygiene pack that will be given out in the communities surrounding the clinic and support the team in getting to Nicaragua!  

Whats in a hygiene pack? 

• Toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• fingernail clippers
• comb
• bar of antibacterial soap
• wash clothe
• antibiotic ointment
• shampoo
• water bottle
• razor
• sewing kit
• sanitary pads
• Deodorant 
• band-aids
• laundry detergent

These packs will give the team the opportunity to pray with families in their homes, to go and give a free gift as an example of the gift Christ has for us.  We are able to bless them with these hygiene items and share the love of Christ with them in doing so.  These items, although simple to us, will bring life change!! 

One more thing... Will you help us spread the word??  SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.... your neighbors, that guy on the treadmill next you at the gym, the lady in front of you at the grocery store, the clerk checking you out, the barista at Starbucks, your mechanic, the attendant at the Target fitting room, your Facebook friends, Instagram or Twitter followers, your hairstylist... Word will travel fast when were all talking about it!!!  Let that sharing, grammin, booking, snapping, chatting, tweeting, inviting begin!!!

New Uniforms!

Sponsorship for a child in Kenya provides everything they need for a great Christian education. That includes uniforms which are required by all schools in Kenya. It's always exciting when the students receive new uniforms. This year there was a redesign of the uniforms at Crossroads Academy in Vipingo and the children are very excited! They wanted you to know how much it means to them.

"Thank you, Fox River, for my uniform. God bless you!"

Example of uniforms for younger boys and girls.

Thank you for your generous, life changing sponsorship!

Example of uniforms for older girls and boys. I heard that the boys had a lot of fun learning how to tie a tie!

See What We've Done...

Our medical team has been processing their trip since they arrived home last Saturday. We wanted to share some of their experiences with you.

Hear from Lisa:

Going on the mission trip to Africa has helped me to become more appreciative of the many gifts and blessings God has given me. I have realized that there are many things in my life that I take for granted. Things that the people in Kenya may never have the opportunity to experience or enjoy. Working with the children last week has taught me important lessons about humility. I feel that I have grown as a person and a Christian. I am so very grateful to have had this experience.

And from Adam:

In my past, I was blessed to be in full time ministry for 5 years in the United States. During that time, I also had a desire to do international missions work. God specifically put Africa on my heart. When Fox River and my mom decided to go to Kenya, Africa this year, it was evident to me that God was opening a path for me to go as well.

Upon arriving in Africa and working with the children at the schools, I realized that these children were not attending school just for an education, they were attending for survival. Most of the children would get their only meals of the day at school. Many of them were barefoot and only received shoes if the school was able to provide them, and the only time most would receive medical care was when the missions team went over. These communities were in desperate need of basic necessities.

Looking back, I am grateful we had such an amazing team and leadership. It seems that the bonds that were created will last a lifetime. My experience opened my eyes to how truly blessed we are here to have certain comforts and luxuries. With that said, I also realized how much we take for granted here in America. Those children seem to be just as happy as the children I’ve seen in our schools, but yet with so much less. Many say that the person serving gets more than the person they served. This certainly rang true for me during this trip. I played a small role in helping thousands of people during our trip, but at the same time those thousands ministered to me without even knowing. In one trip I was humbled, blessed, broken, and full.  I look forward to going back and doing my part to help meet these communities' needs and spread God’s love to his children.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support for both our missions teams and mission partners in Kenya and Nicaragua. We couldn't take these trips without you.

Medical Team arrives home

The team arrived home safe and sound yesterday. We had no problems in travel, and were all happy to arrive home to our loved ones. As difficult as it was to leave Kenya, we are glad to get back to our families.

Landing in Istanbul, beautiful country

The team shared many good memories serving in Kenya over the last week. We also shared many good memories with each other and our Kenyan team. We went as a team and became a family that depended on each other, supported each other, listened to each other, and comforted each other. As we settle back into our lives I know we will continue to be there for each other, and continue to serve others through Fox River. I would be pleased to have each and every person join me on future mission trips. 

Last day in Kenya

Today we spent our last day in Bomani, where the people are as beautiful as the countryside landscape. 

Over 425 patients were seen today, which included 3 cardiac murmurs that require follow up. We were happy to have Dr. Gome with us today, who managed to get a cardiac consult and echos set up for next week for these children with a colleague of his.

Ear lavages were very much in need  

Roger's health education talk on growth and development with the older boys

Andrea and Joe teaching First Aid/CPR to the teachers

Sue and Debbie providing health education related to pregnancy and postpartum  

We have a little fun during these long hot days too! 

Another picture from the prenatal class  

A few reminders today about the importance of inspection. Another one was a visual thrill observed on one of the children with a cardiac murmur   

We were so happy to have Dr. Maranga with us this week, providing some much needed dental care. 

These ladies and Adam really kept the clinic flow running smoothly for us! 

End of the day, exhausted, but very grateful. 

A few team members did a great job with our team fundraiser....shoes, much needed  

We were happy to hand some out to the community who came to the clinic

It was perfect ending to our trip.