We are excited to announce our 2012 trip to Kenya as part of our Kenyan Connection effort. Kenyan Connection is about more than just taking short-term missions trips. It is our desire to build long-lasting relationships with the people living, working and ministering in Kenya and we are committed to investing our time, energy and resources in order to help build those relationships.
This trip is just one of many we plan to make to Kenya and will offer those who go with us the opportunity to meet and talk to people who we will visit many times in the coming years. For more information about this trip and to get an overview of how we approach this relationship, read on!
THE DATES
Monday, July 23, 2012 - Friday, August 3, 2012
THE LOCATION
The country of Kenya is located in East Africa, about 8,700 miles from Houston, TX. Nairobi is the capital of Kenya as well as the largest city in the country. Though much of Kenya is rural and traditionally African, Nairobi resembles many “western” (European/American) cities in many ways - from the skyscrapers of the central business district to the commercialism, traffic and crime that have come to typify large metropolitan areas. Nairobi is also home to over 3 million people from a wide array of socio-economic backgrounds and the home-base of the Association of Vineyard Churches of Kenya.
Nakuru is the 3rd largest city in Kenya and serves as the provincial capital of the Rift Valley Province. Over 300,000 people live in Nakuru and that population is rising quickly, since Nakuru is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. The socio-economic makeup of the city is similar to Nairobi and people from all over Kenya and other parts of Africa are attracted to Nakuru as an educational center. Nakuru is also the home of His Cherished Ones, the non-profit organization founded by Trena Ivy.
THE PURPOSE
In order to spend the time and resources required to travel over 17,000 miles round-trip, we must have a clear purpose. No matter what other things are accomplished on this trip, the overarching purpose can be summed up in one word - RELATIONSHIP.
We believe (and this belief is supported by missions veterans and local workers) that short-term mission trips can only truly be affective if they are linked to a long-term vision and commitment to relationship. That is why we have limited our global missions involvement to just a few organizations and countries. Rather than using a scattered approach to missions that focuses on a checklist of projects, we choose to use a focused approach that begins and ends with the relationships that we develop with those on “the other end”. Through these relationships and conversations, we will, undoubtedly find needs to be met, projects to be done and new initiatives to launch. However, our primary goal as we make this trip is not to complete a punch-list, but to begin to develop relationships with those we will encounter.
The primary people we will be establishing relationship with fall into two categories:
Vineyard Pastors and Leaders
The first several days of our trip will be spent in and around the city of Nairobi. During this time, we will have the chance to meet pastors and leaders from the Nairobi area and to get a sense of what life is like for people of varying socio-economic levels in Kenya. The Vineyard churches in Nairobi are diverse, representing different sizes and styles, from churches in the slums to those in upper-class suburban neighborhoods. Meeting this group of leaders will give us a chance to understand the work that God is doing across the country of Kenya and to learn how we can partner in that effort.
The Staff and Children of His Cherished Ones
The latter part of our trip will be spent in Nakuru with the staff and children of His Cherished Ones. His Cherished Ones currently operates three separate ministries - a baby orphanage called Haven of Hope, a boy’s home and a ministry for single mothers. Our time in Nakuru will allow us to meet and spend time with not only the children and women served by this organization, but also to spend time with the staff who work tirelessly as caregivers, house parents, groundskeepers and security personnel. In many ways, if we can take care of these people, they can, in turn, take care of the babies, boys and mothers.
WHO CAN GO?
You must be 18 or older to apply unless pre-approved by the pastoral staff. No one under age 18 will be approved unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents who are interested in taking their children should talk to Adam Mosley about the risks and expectations involved. Anyone interested in going on this trip will need to complete the Short Term Mission Trip Application.
Please note: This trip has limits on the total number of people who can participate and may have spots reserved for those with special skills & experience. It is possible that not all applications will be accepted for a trip.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The total cost of the trip is $3400 and is payable as follows (all fees are non-refundable):
| Jan 15, 2012 | $200 Deposit (This deposit must be turned in with your application) | |
| Mar 15, 2012 | $1200 | |
| May 15, 2012 | $1500 | |
| Jun 15, 2012 | $500 |
