Rick's Story

I remember taking my first short term mission trip to
Kenya in 1996 and if I am being honest, I probably
went for all the wrong reasons. I thought that this would
be a one-time event in my life that I could add to
the column of Christian service and be done with it.
Thankfully God had other plans for me.

Fast forward to 2003. I am now in the middle of my
5th trip to this beautiful country and I get to visit a
small orphanage about 4 hours drive from Nairobi
called Cheppema Children’s Home. The team that I
am with has been asked to build this orphanage a
church building so that they can have a place to
worship and meet as a community. Throughout the
week that we are there, my heart is captured by the
stories of these kids who call this orphanage home.

The majority of the kids are former street kids from
the surrounding area who, for one reason or
another, never had a chance at home. The majority
of them had lost a parent to HIV/AIDS. They
turned to the streets or were forced to the streets.
With this orphanage and the leadership and love
of Pastor William Kotut, these kids have a chance
to live the life that God intended.

During my trip in 2003, I met a little boy named James
who attached himself to me throughout the week I
was there. James is a street kid – given up on and
left to his own. I can only imagine what his life
was like on the streets – drug abuse and prostitution
are the norm. He was one of the fortunate ones who
escaped the streets and has found a home at the
Cheppema Children’s Home. More importantly he
has found hope. I am excited to see James again in
the coming months and see how he has grown, not
only in stature but as a young adult who is following
Jesus with all his heart. What continues to tear me
up inside is that there are many “James’” waiting
for a place to call home. I can’t wait to see how we
as a community can radically change the lives of
kids half a world away – kids we don’t even know yet.

 

Watch a video of a recent Trip to Kenya/Haiti