They are serving at Calvary Chapel Ongata Rongai through Potters Field Ministries. The family of four work with children to teach them about the Lord but to also make sure they are receiving an education.
Like most places outside the USA, Kenya is a country where public school education is not free. So Geoff, Linda, Christian, and Faith pick out children that are in the most need of receiving funding for basic education. They run a school that goes up to 4th grade and they work with teenagers who are in danger of not getting funding. The catch is that they must maintain good grades in order to be sponsored. Last year as a family we decided to sponsor a student in desperate need. He had to move into an orphanage so that his dues where paid. The crazy thing is that he has a mom. When Linda and Geoff mentioned that him being sponsored will allow him to move back home, well that was a no-brainer for me.
They come home to visit every summer and we enjoy connecting with them again. This past summer they were encouraging us to come to visit them. So, when I heard that CCMC was going to be sending a team to come alongside the family, I felt as if the Lord said that this was our time. Unfortunately, we were not all able to go. My youngest two and I were able to travel the 18-24 hours to help.
We were a team of 11 4 adult males, 1 adult female (me), 6 teens (3 girls and 3 boys). Needless to say I became the team mom. Not that I minded.
We took about 60 Kenyan teens along with 4 Kenyan leaders plus our group on a teen retreat. The retreat center we stayed at was 3 hours by bus. Located in Nakura, Kenya. The facility was very nice. Dorm style rooms, with leader rooms located at the end of the hallway. Plus the use of the owners guest house.
There are so many words I can use here to describe the time we had those 4 days on the retreat. The best way to sum it up is this: God used all the talents of our team so well, that it was such affirmation and confirmation that we were meant to be there then.
After the retreat we were able to have a thanksgiving meal with 29 of us. Such sweet memories from that celebration.
We culminated our time with Kid's Club. A program that serves 250+ children around CCOR. At Kid's Club they receive Chai and lunch as well as many songs about Jesus and of course a bible teaching. We were able to bring a craft with us for them to enhance the story of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist found in Mark 1:1-11. The ages that attend go from 2 years to 17 years. Such a huge under taking but so very rewarding. It was an honor to be a part of the team.
Here is a photo of our team with the Simpson Family
