CFY Kenya Mission Trip 2010

This year's mission trip to Kenya was by far one of the most challenging, and yet one of the most rewarding trips I have ever been a part of. Our team this year consisted of 8 youth – Jay Hill, Jordan Solomon, Derek Lucas, Taylor Shearrer, Josh Neumann, Shelbee Ripple, Sarah Price, and Katie Elmer- and 4 Adults – Tanner Butkay, Mike and Barbara Dickmann, and Scott Shearrer. This year’s trip was a little different then the previous years in that all of our witnessing was through our service. For the entire trip all we did was work, and when I say work, I mean WORK!!! The Kenyans bring a new meaning to the word work, because I would feel confident in speaking for the whole team in saying this was the hardest work any of us have ever done. We mixed concrete by hand, hauled dirt and rock to mix with the concrete, hauled trees for support beams, and spent a couple days cutting and bending rebar to create the support beams for the roof.

The building that we were working on is going to be the new school building for the students going into 4^th grade all the way up to 7^th grade. This is so rewarding to be a part of, because in helping get this building completed, we are a part of helping insure that these students are not only getting an education, but making sure that the students are also hearing the gospel on a daily basis. I believe that this is also a big part of why this trip was so trying. The devil knew what our mission was and was definitely at work trying to destroy it as well, by attacking our team. But our goal was not to please ourselves, or make the Kenyans happy, it was to serve God by doing whatever it was that he called us to, and by turning to him in our times of trial, we were able to overcome, through his strength and guidance, during our weakest times. One of the most encouraging things I was able to experience was that after talking with some of the workers over there, they informed us that we were the only team to ever come in for a major construction project and actually stick with it for the entire time. Usually, because the work is so hard, people can’t handle it so they end up doing something else. This was encouraging because after doing the work, and knowing that it was all through God’s strength that we were able to persevere, we were able to complete the task and finish what it was that God set before us to do, and lives will be changed as a result. Thanks again for all of your support, financial and prayer, for us for this trip. Check out the pictures below of our trip.

Tanner Butkay