In high school, I read a TIME Magazine article called "Death Stalks a Continent" (click here to read the article--well worth it if you have a few minutes). Basically, the article explains in gruesome detail how the AIDS epidemic is ravaging the African continent, and the article gives accounts of people from all walks of life and how AIDS has affected them.
I'm not sure if it's the fact that women can be beaten if they ask their partners to wear a condom or the fact that because medicine isn't available to treat AIDS people would rather not know they have it, but something in that article compelled me to help. Since reading that article, I've had the desire to get to Africa someday and make a difference.
So when I found myself reading the words "Kenya Mission Trip Information Meeting" in the church bulletin, I knew I had to get involved. I sent in my application, and I am beyond excited to say that I will be going to Adiedo, Kenya this October on a short term mission trip with Life Center Church!!
Life Center has partnered with Spring of Hope International (SOHI) to reach Africa for Christ. It is SOHI's belief that all humans are entitled to the basic necessities of life: water, food, and clothing. So it is SOHI's mission is to provide these necessities while also providing access to education, health care, and the gospel. Ultimately, SOHI wants to reduce extreme poverty and give people hope by providing affordable solutions and spreading the good news of salvation. To learn more about Spring of Hope International, visit springhope.org.
While in Kenya, our team will oversee the drilling of a well and bring supplies to schools, hospitals, and clinics. We have the opportunity to minister in one of the largest slums in Nairobi and to educate people about HIV/AIDS. I have also been assigned the responsibility of teaching the Adiedo school children basic hygiene--like how to brush their teeth!
I am thrilled to be a part of AIDS education, but contrary to the aforementioned article that claims "the essential missing ingredient is leadership," I know that God is the essential missing ingredient. God's power will allow us to break through the cultural barriers and other obstacles we'll face when teaching about HIV/AIDS. God's love can work miracles.
I still tell people that I am not sure why God (and the application committee) chose me to participate on this trip. My church attendance is less than perfect, and so am I, for that matter. But God is renowned for using people you wouldn't expect to actualize His plan: the inarticulate speaker, Moses, confronted Pharaoh and led God's people out of Egypt; the small shepherd boy, David, defeated a giant; and the son of a carpenter was sent to save the world. I am anxious to see how God is going to use me--imperfections and talents alike--on this trip.
I would be so grateful if you would keep the mission team, SOHI, and me in your prayers. There is a long list of prayer requests. Some of those requests include smooth travel to and from Africa, general safety throughout the trip, that God use the team to reach individuals for Christ, and that SOHI continues to save lives, physically and spiritually, in Kenya. And I know this sounds trivial in comparison to AIDS, hunger, and dehydration, but I am extremely nervous about the mosquitoes. I am pretty sure I have a slight allergy to mosquitoes and they love my sweet Dutch blood; the 80+ mosquito bites (yes, I counted) on my legs and my irritation to them were part of the reason I left Nicaragua a few years ago. So pray that those buggers leave me alone!!
If you would like to contribute in any way besides prayer (donation of supplies, child sponsorship, financial donation), you can e-mail me at nicolevandermeulen12@yahoo.com.
