Nairobi, Kenya

I took a group of volunteers from Kansas-Nebraska for a WILD ride. Not only did they weave in and out of Nairobi traffic on our bad roads (which they referred to as a free roller coaster ride), but they also rode ostriches.

Fun and work were evenly mixed during a recent volunteer trip by five women from the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. They ministered to some street kids in Nairobi. They hung out with the kids and administered basic “Mom” first-aid. They learned the stories of some of the boys – their journey from a village to the streets to finding Christ. They saw the effects of sniffing glue and smelled the strong aroma of street life.

The volunteers also worked with Kenyan children at a Baptist Children’s Camp. More than 100 kids crowded on the steps of the camp chapel to say thank you to the five women. The volunteers taught Bible lessons and crafts to the children ranging in age from 7 to 17. They were surprised at how many children have scripture memorized. One teenager, named Roger, had an entire book of the Bible memorized.

While I kept them busy working – and waking up for early morning ministries – we had time for fun. The volunteers really blessed those of us from the Kansas-Nebraska area. They brought us special “American” treats that totally spoiled us!

Personally, the team really blessed me. They were my first volunteer team and proved to be very flexible and easy. On the night they arrived, all of our plans for ministry were canceled. After a few phone calls, I got some things set up for us, but it was definitely not what they came prepared to do. The team didn’t even blink – they just pitched in where ever asked!

Thank you Kansas-Nebraska for coming to Kenya! I hope more of you will visit in the future.

UBC: Boniface and the Street Kids of Nairobi (May 2007)

Watch this video of the Nairobi Street Kids. A group of Baylor University students came to work with us as volunteers. They put this video together so others may see the ministry and vision.

Blume, Kansas City, Missouri

The stage lights were bright and almost blinded you, but it didn’t matter – I could FEEL the energy of thousands of teenaged girls in the arena. They were there to celebrate Jesus and his mandate to “Go and Tell.” (missions)

Girls from all over the United States gathered in Kansas City for a fun time of learning and fellowship. I had the opportunity to be a presenter. My friend Margie and I hosted an interactive booth where the girls ran our video cameras and interviewed people. We taught the girls about a different kind of missionary job – the one that we do - media. I also taught a workshop and spoke in worship service.

The one word that sums up this event was “energy.” Girls were so excited to try every missions experience put in front of them. A group of college girls spent the night in a homeless shelter all in an effort to understand that life and how they could minister. One night, the teenagers focused on the Middle East. They ate Middle Eastern food, put on henna tattoos, visited with Muslim-Background believers, and watched a movie outside on the grass. It was great fun!

Pray for the girls who attended the event. God will call out many of these girls to be missionaries (International and North American), as well as involved in local ministries. Pray for their continued growth in their relationship with Jesus.