Stephen’s Mission Trip To Kenya
I had the awesome opportunity to take my son Stephen with me to Kenya on our most recent trip. I started going to Kenya when he was just 5 years old and he has always told me that he was going to go with me someday. This year turned the dream into a reality for both of us.
I had always told Stephen that I wouldn’t take him with me until he was 16 years old so it was a long wait for him. The reason for the wait was one of maturity. I had seen him in action this past summer on a youth mission trip to Washington DC and I knew that he was mature enough spiritually to handle a trip such as this.
I new from my previous trips to Kenya that Stephen would fit right in with the kids in Cheppema and I wouldn’t have to worry about him engaging the kids and fitting right in. His skill set fit right in with the team and what we wanted to do while we were on the ground. He displayed a gentleness and compassion with all of his new friends and I couldn’t have been prouder of him as a dad. It didn’t hurt to hear from many people that week how much they appreciated having Stephen on the trip and how much he contributed to our efforts.
Stephen lent his musical ability by leading worship time with the kids with his guitar and always seemed to draw a crowd wherever he went. He completely immersed himself in all the team’s activities during the week including putting up a roof on a duplex to playing soccer to dressing up like a sheep during one of the vacation bible school activities. Never once did he question or complain about anything and I don’t think I could have hand picked anyone to do what Stephen did.
In our discussions since we have returned, Kenya deeply affected Stephen and he will forever be changed by the time he spent there. It wouldn’t shock me if he came to Lisa and I and said that he wanted to be a full-time missionary as an adult. It also opened his eyes to things that he may never see as a citizen of the United States. Despair. Injustice. Corruption. Loneliness. Hunger. I believe that he now looks at all of these issues differently as he considers himself a citizen of the world.
He’s already talking about and saving for 2 trips coming up in 2009. Haiti and New York City. I don’t know if he will actually go on both but knowing Stephen and his heart, he will find a way.
My advice to parents is to take an opportunity to go on a short-term trip with your kids. You’ll know when they are emotionally and spiritually ready but be prepared to see both of your lives changed. Even after 8 trips to Kenya, I got to see things differently through the eyes of my son. As a dad and his son, we will forever be changed.
Filed under: church, family, kenya, missions | 3 Comments
I couldn’t agree more with taking your older kids on a mission trip. We got the opportunity to take Olivia (then 13) with us this last summer to Haiti. Truly a humbling experience. We too, will forever be changed.
Rick, thank you so much for sharing this… You and Lisa must be so proud of Stephen. Everything you wrote is so true! I just wanted to add to some of what you said – Even with a TERRIBLE ear infection he never complained. He was the youngest in our group, but you would never know it by the way he carried himself. And when his dad BAILED on being a sheep, he stepped right in and taped on a little black nose and ears… Serving with him was an absolute joy and honor. Thanks, Stephen for your amazing heart! You’re awesome!
Rick I must say I was extremely impressed with Stephen. I have a teenager so I thought I was prepared for, well, teenage behavior in attitude and action. Stephen demonstrated poise, grace, endurance, compassion, willingness, love and an incredible ability to humble himself for the sake of the children. He even continued to go over and above the call of duty when he was terribly sick. It was a personal pleasure to be on a team with Stephen and this trip would not have been the same without him. Stephen YOU ROCK