Mission Trip to Kenya

| Deaf children, From The Field, Lance's Deaf Orphans

We would like to share some highlights with everyone from the three wonderful women who attended our November DCH Mission Trip to Kenya. We have two partners in Kenya and one of them is Lances Deaf Orphans (LDO), where we JUST finished the construction of a new dormitory and classrooms. In fact, the missionaries were there for the completion of the building and the ribbon cutting too and got to experience that excitement with students and staff as they entered the building for the first time. We interviewed the three women about their experience, and here is what they said. 

Sydney

1. What was a high and low from the trip?
The last day had both for me. We were able to be a part of the dedication ceremony for the new building, and the kids were so excited!! It was so joyful to celebrate the new building with the kids and staff! There was cake and soda everywhere by the time we were done!! Unfortunately, it was also our last day there and we had to say goodbye after helping with some of the moving in. I think it made it easier that the kids were happy they were moving in that day, but it was tough for me to say goodbye after all the kindness and welcomeness they had shown us. 
2. What did God open your eyes to, while on the trip?
God opened my eyes to the fact that joy can be found in the midst of hardship. It’s one thing to know that and it’s another to live it/see it lived out right in front of you. Although their life is hard, the kids and staff at LDO treated us so special and were so excited about us simply being there. The challenges that they face day after day did not detract from their care and service to us. I thought I was supposed to be there to encourage them, but they definitely encouraged me in leaning on God’s provision and trusting Him in the hard moments.
 
3. What do you recognize as important about DCH’s involvement at LDO?
Some of the kids kept asking us about their sponsors and how they were doing, assuming we knew them even though we didn’t 🙂 You could see that it made an important impact on the kids to have someone specific who was interested and cared about them. The water well from DCH has opened opportunities for LDO to impact the community around them and build better relationships. The building from DCH is another huge blessing to LDO, and it has already been an incredible encouragement to the kids and the staff of God’s provision in their lives.
 

Because of the financial stability from DCH,  Lances Deaf Orphans is not just surviving, but thriving. 

Michelle

1. What was a high and low from the trip?
My high of the trip was how God designed that I was there again when the dorm was dedicated, just as I was there when the new LDO well was turned on a few years ago. Only God could have orchestrated that timing! A low was leaving the students and teachers that I have come to care for so much. 
 
2. What did God open your eyes to, while on the trip?
My eyes were opened on this trip to how much the well had helped the community and not just at LDO. The community around the school as well. To see everyone using the water brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. 

3. What do you recognize as important about DCH’s involvement at LDO?
Without DCH, LDO wouldn’t be able to provide the education and basic needs that every deaf orphan child and also the teachers need. Because of the financial stability from DCH,  Lances Deaf Orphans is not just surviving, but thriving.

 

Deaf Child Hope is the invisible life and breath behind the physical location of LDO.

Sharon

1. What was a high and a low from the trip?

Observing a new culture and environment, eating delicious food, and finding a wide array of amazing animals on the safari were all incredible aspects of this mission trip, but none of that could compare to the fulfilling time spent at Lance’s Deaf Orphans. I enjoyed forming relationships with everyone on campus over the course of our time there, which led up to the greatest highlight: celebrating the dedication of the new building on our last day with LDO. The celebration was filled with so much excitement and anticipation, and it felt really good to be part of that. The family-like dynamics between the students and staff were especially evident at this event, which was really special to see.

2. What did God open your eyes to, while on the trip?

The mission trip left me feeling so full and blessed that I came home without any predominant lows! However, throughout our time in Kenya, we witnessed quite a bit of class distinction. This was very sad to me because it often prevents “higher class” individuals from recognizing the value and potential within the “lower class.” It was discouraging to recognize that the lower class are forced to fight for themselves in so many areas where there could be support and partnership.

As we returned to our lodging across open grasslands for our last night spent in Kenya, God gave us the most incredible magazine quality sunset (almost like He knew that sunsets are my favorite). We rode in relative silence, admiring God’s handiwork and feeling full from the memories and insights over the previous two weeks. I thought about just how much God had blessed me by making this trip possible. Many desires that I have had for years and years, some that seemed entirely insignificant and even self-centered, turned from wishful dreams into reality while I was on this mission trip. Staring into the sunset and feeling a new kind of contentment that night, I felt personally that God loves to make our wildest dreams come true. When we come to Him with open hands and submissive hearts, He always responds with confirmation of His goodness and sufficiency. Whatever I may sacrifice in my attempts to say “yes” to more of Jesus is always repaid above and beyond what I could ever ask or expect. Just because He loves us enough to say “yes” to us, too.

3. What do you recognize as important about DCH’s involvement at LDO?

I am certain that Deaf Child Hope does so much for LDO that is never visible from mere observance. However, I noticed almost immediately that LDO is entirely dependent on DCH for financial support. All supplies right down to curtains and beds are only made possible because of DCH providing the funds. Without DCH, Lance’s Deaf Orphans wouldn’t be reaching deaf children in Kenya because it couldn’t even exist. Deaf Child Hope is the invisible life and breath behind the physical location of LDO.