Karla Threadgill Byrd
What a special trip this was, and it was my second trip no less. On the way to Kenya I caught a flu bug and thus found the need to sleep every chance I had. My friend John Stanko took every chance he had to take and post a picture of me sleeping. I would not want the world to think I am a sleeper or slacker, for that's just not true (well, most of the time it isn't!)

My other pictures reflected the vision that God revealed to me. I met strong women doing the work of God. The family is God's institution and it is alive and well in Kenya...

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John Stanko
This was a great team, who selflessly served, traveled and learned without complaint. They were a joy to lead and helped me continue the work that I began in Kenya many years ago. It is a joy to read these summaries and see how the trip impacted each one in ways that I could never plan or anticipate. Ultimately, I am grateful to God for His protection and for His grace that enables us to bond and travel with so much joy and peace. Thank you, team, for a job well done, and may you continue to grow in understanding of what God has for you to do here in the States and in Kenya...

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Dorothy Martin

(2 Corinthians 4:16) - Yes, we were renewed in the Lord.

I know God has been with me and enlightening me in many ways and showing me strength, endurance, and perseverance. Knowing and believing . . . “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:1-3...

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Sheran White
I prepared for our March 4 – 18, 2011 trip to Kenya with a mindset that God was going to use me and others to minister to the Kenyans. However, I quickly learned that they were used to minister to me as well. They exhibited a faith that can't be explained in words. It is something you must encounter for yourself to appreciate and see what God is doing in the hearts of those He sends and those living with so little in Kenya...

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Gwyn Kelley
Working with children daily, it was interesting to see the similarities between them even though they live on opposite sides of the world. All kids love to laugh, play, and get hugs! The differences are many, but the one that stands out to me the most is they live their life like Jesus is standing beside them. Their faith is so deep and real...

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Dana Slavic
Nothing short of a divine connection took me to Africa. That connection taught me about a country, its people, and the Designer of us all. So many have SO little in means of material things, but what they do possess is an unwavering faith in the Lord, making do with the barest of necessities. Kenya hit the reset button that lead me to reevaluate my priorities and humbled me to say I want my walk with the Lord to be as pure and simple...

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Cathi Book
Here is my favorite photo of our trip to Kenya last March. I have many that I enjoy viewing, but this beautiful orphan's face is the face of the trip to me...he represents all of the orphans in the world. His picture keeps asking me the questions: What am I doing to help support these precious children? How can I help them be successful in finding God’s purpose in their lives? ...

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Donna L. Sims-Reed
But am I missionary material, even for a minute? Just get on the plane, I tell myself, for a long, long, long ride.

Surrealness in a city much like New York, but with a sea of brown faces so much like my own.

HIV/AIDS has left many orphaned in its wake. Yet we are greeted by smiling, singing beautiful faces...

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Barb Thompson
The March 2011 journey to Kenya began for me a year earlier with Doctor Stanko asking, "So what are your dreams?" I heard myself say I wanted to go on a missions trip with my 12 year old daughter, Hannah. The rest is history as he appointed me the art director right on the spot. Our mission combined a remarkable mix of travel, team building, outreach to orphans, with time for enjoyment of the breathtakingly beautiful ...

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Hannah Thompson, age 12
The thing I will remember most about my trip to Kenya is the children at the orphanages. It was sad for me to learn that there were so many HIV/AIDS orphans, but extremely happy for me to see how they were able to depend on God for everything. Some of my favorite things about the trip other than playing games with the children ...

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Rick Cotter
It is difficult to reflect back on that mission trip when it has made me do nothing but look ahead. I came to realize on that trip that it would not be my last. That God has wanted me to do this all of my life. And so I will do all that I can in the time that remains to me. During that trip there was one name that was constantly laying on my mind, Joshua. He didn't question Moses nor did he question God. And so ...

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Cheryl Bradbury
It is difficult for me to find human words to capture my thoughts from our Kenya trip.

God called me a second time to minister in Kenya. I was no less overwhelmed and blessed on this trip. It was a privilege and an honor to be a part of an incredible team of brothers and sisters in Christ led by Dr. Stanko. I love the people, the culture and ...

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Carol Donnelly
My call for missions happened about 25-27 years ago when I heard a missionary speak. Shortly after that I had this great desire to go to Africa. At the time I was a mother of 3 children and ill parents who needed me. During this time I felt being a good wife, mother, daughter, friend, neighbor, and doing volunteer work for the church was where I was needed. Over the years this call in my heart remained...

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