Recently I was blessed with the opportunity to be a part
of a short-term mission to Kenya. Upon returning I was
informed that I could write about the experience for the
Sabbath Recorder
. I immediately began to think of the
highlights of the trip. I wanted to be able to portray to
the reader the vast experiences that were bestowed
upon the missions team. I wanted you to feel the love
and share the laughs that we got to be a part of. How-
ever, I soon realized that I could not form the words to
adequately describe what transpired. I could not do the
trip justice. Instead, this article will simply tell you a
couple of the important things about the trip — who was
there, why we went, and what I learned. Pastor Steve
James of the Verona church led the group. We went to
Kenya to preach to the congregations for encourage-
ment and to teach the leaders of Kenya how to better
lead and serve their people. Pastor James' wife, Debbie,
attended with the intention of teaching delegates from
each Kenyan church the skills of sewing. This was to
help the people learn a trade that could be used person-
ally and for profit. The kits that she used to teach them
were left for the churches. Marleigh Fjako attended to
learn and share with the Kenyans through music.
Amanda Langley, my wife, attended to work with the
children of Kenya and to use art as a medium for a
VBS-like scenario. Caroline Snyder attended to be an
aid in whatever way possible. God brought people
from across the nation, many of whom had never met,
and we were able to bond as a team and work for his
purposes.
God blessed me in many ways and taught me many
things while I was there...but the one thing that I
learned that I would like to impart through this article
is being open and ready. Amanda and I were not cur-
rently looking for a mission when we were told of the
Kenya trip. When we were propositioned with coming,
we immediately turned to prayer because we wanted
to be wherever God would have us. But what I mean
most when I say be open and ready is not necessarily in
regards to short term missions that are in some other
country. In spending time with Kenyans, I saw how
poverty can hold you back; but I also saw how love,
excitement, and enthusiasm for the Lord can bring you
forward. What the Kenyans lacked in financial affluence
they more than gained in fervor for the Lord. While
many of us do not consider ourselves wealthy, we are
not often wanting for food or adequate shelter. But
many of us have let our lights dim before God. One of
our members stated that the Kenyans loved God so
much in spite of their poverty...but I stated that I believe
it is because of it. They NEED God. Our financial secu-
rity often sees us putting God in a position of a nice
extra to have. So, when I say be ready and open, I
mean to help and do God's work right where you are.
Everywhere and everyone has some need. I'll close with
this. Pastor Steve was given a dare before his first trip
to Kenya. He passed this dare to us on our trip, and I
pass it to everyone reading this article. We were dared
to try and bless the Kenyans
more than they blessed us.
I do not know if I succeeded
but I tried. I ask you to
go out in your everyday
life, and bless those you
encounter more than they
bless you. Remember that
means even if they have
done nothing for you, you
still owe them something.
God bless...
SR September 2015
25
SR
Kenya Mission
by Kory Langley
Assistant Pastor
Texarkana SDB Church in Texarkana, AR
