Monday, February 19, 2024
It was a full and powerful day for our team. We arrived at Missions of Hope International (MOHI) in the morning for our Orientation Day, where we learned the history of the organization and the goals for the future. We learned that there are currently over 35 schools throughout Kenya and more recently MOHI has begun serving in Liberia as well. There are over 30,000 students and 13,000 of those students are unsponsored. (The more students that have sponsors, the more MOHI is able to use these resources to and reach even more children, families, and community members.) We learned about the holistic approach they take to: *Educate *Empower *Restore *Redeem - and not just the student, but the entire family. MOHI's approach to challenging circumstances is effective and they are changing trajectories of families, one student at a time. Today, we had the privilege to witness this firsthand.
We were then paired in small groups with MOHI social workers who escorted us on a visit to the Mathare Valley community (slums). As I write this update, I’m still trying to process this experience. Words seem to escape me as I filter through all that was seen and experienced. One thing that can be said, without doubt, is that MOHI is a lighthouse in a dark place. The building is situated directly in the middle of the community it serves. The staff are dedicated to bringing hope, life, and the love of Jesus to children who are living in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable, to depths that I have never seen until now. As we walked through the dirt-paved, very rocky community I thought about the 13,000 children in MOHI who are in need of a sponsor.
Our three separate groups, each with social workers, visited families within the community and had the opportunity to learn about their families, their needs, and pray with them. Each of the three families we met were single moms with multiple children doing whatever they can to support their children. One of our social workers was once a student at the Pangani School, MOHI's first school. When she completed the program, she decided to return to Mathare to serve where she grew up. Once we finished the community tour we returned to the center for a tour of the school. We got to see and learn about all the services that are provided, not only to the students, but the entire community. We visited classrooms where we were so warmly welcomed by the students who showed us hospitality by singing for us and sharing their memory verse.
On our return we met with our own sponsored children and that was such a beautiful gift. Seeing the smiles on their faces and having this time to give them a hug, play a game, and pray with them was such a special time. Again, my thoughts went back to the 13,000 unsponsored children and the many children who are waiting. I wondered to myself, “How can I do more?” I silently prayed that GOD would raise up sponsors so that this important work can continue to grow and that even more children and their families would have access to all that MOHI has to offer.
Today was a great day to be in Kenya! GOD is here in Kenya, working through Missions of Hope International and we are grateful for the work that is being done. The team is embracing each day and the opportunities to learn and connect with Kenyans, MOHI staff members, missionaries serving here, and each other.
That is amazing! Thank you for sharing Lori
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