Shoes, Sports, and God’s Glory in Kenya

This summer my husband and I joined 14 others from Eastview Christian Church on our very first mission trip to Kenya with GOYA Ministries. The purpose of our trip was to build on the K–12 Sports Program that started three years ago, and what an incredible week it turned out to be.

So, how did we end up on this trip?

Back in February, I kept feeling like I was supposed to be doing something with my business — but I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. I prayed about it, over and over. Was I supposed to add a new service? Take one away? Where was God leading me?

On my birthday, May 3rd, I went for a run, and something the Peloton instructor said hit me hard. I don’t even remember the exact words, but I found myself sitting on the side of the treadmill, crying, realizing: “God still has big plans for me!”

That’s a phrase I tell my kids all the time, but somewhere in the hustle of raising children and running a business, I had forgotten it for myself. So I changed my prayer that day: “God, can you have someone just tell me what you want me to do?”

I figured it would come in some random encounter at the grocery store where a stranger says, “I don’t know if this means anything to you, but…” But instead, six days later, while on the way to my son’s outdoor education day, I got a text:

“Would you and Jeremy, or you and Eli, want to go on the Sports Team Mission Trip to Kenya? We are in need of a photographer.”

Instant YES in my mind! Of course, I still had to make sure it was possible. This was only seven weeks away, and we had to get travel documents, vaccinations, and childcare for our boys arranged. Somehow, every detail came together — even down to our kids still getting to go to the Savannah Bananas game at Busch Stadium we had planned as a surprise.

We meal-prepped, created a full itinerary of who needed to be where and when, and organized family and friends to cover 10 days of school runs, sports, and medical info in case any emergenicies . It was a lot. But once we landed in Kenya after more than 24 hours of travel — and a whopping 3 hours of sleep — all of the stress melted away.

On that first day, when we were introduced to the kids, tears of joy streamed down my face. I can still remember telling them, “I am so happy to meet each of you.”

Funny enough, some of them already knew Jeremy and me! Our oldest son’s girlfriend, her sister, and mom had been there just two weeks before us, and they had told the kids all about us. God really is in every detail.

(This is the boy that knew exactly who we were... and he was an instant friend to us any many!!)

The Work in Kenya

We stayed a majority of the time at REM Jr. and Sr. High, and this is where we slept every night. REM Jr. and Sr. High is a boarding school; at this location the children stay there for the school year and go home on breaks. Here we taught volleyball, basketball, netball, handball, wiffle ball, track & field, soccer, tennis, table tennis, and even chess.

One day during our trip we visited REM’s original school in South B (the slums), where we taught jump rope, simple volleyball skills inside the classrooms, and lessons with the younger students.

And one thing I was asked to do throughout the week was photograph the joy. It’s so easy to see the poverty and want to capture that — but I knew my role was to seek out the hope and the light. At South B, while the team taught the students, I was able to roam the four-story building with my camera and take in everything I saw. That day I told myself: find the joy. From the rooftop I could see the brilliant colors shining across the community, once again tears rolling down my cheeks, and inside the walls I saw the happiness of the children and the teachers. Some of my favorite images came from that day: a dad walking his child home through a narrow path lined with garbage — and yet their closeness was pure beauty. A teacher grading papers in her lovely clothing, even as chipped paint surrounded her. My husband playing games with kids, loving them like his own! It struck me that REM at South B is truly a refuge for these families.

And on another very memorable day, we traveled to Magadi — a remote area that has no natural water source. Thanks to previous teams who dug a pond and drilled for water, the Masai Tribe and the surrounding community now have access to water and even a farm that provides food for students and staff.

The Masai community has never heard the gospel, and many do not know how to read. Some children here walk 9 miles round trip each day to receive education, a meal and are learning biblical truths that will beautiful change the generations to come!

(photos of the farm, local woman getting water to take back to their stick homes)

That day in Magadi, we gave the students kites, coloring books, new volleyball nets, basketball hoops… but the highlight was handing out 300 pairs of donated shoes. The moment those shoes came out, the entire room filled with the loudest cheers of celebration I’ve ever heard. It was a sound I’ll never forget.

(The first 2 photos with a room full of kids is them celebrating the donated shoes!!)

The Connections That Found Us

One of the most beautiful things I experienced in Kenya was how God placed children in each of our paths to connect with. We didn’t find them — they found us.

For me, that started with a girl I’ll call P. On the very first day, she offered to take us to a spot on campus where we could see giraffes grazing in the distance (yes, giraffes roam freely right outside the school!). She stood out to us right away — tall, athletic, always smiling. We joked with her about her height since my husband and I are tall too, and she never missed a chance to laugh with us throughout the week.

Then there was D. She and about 4–5 girls found me every day. But D stood out, her eyes sparkled, and her sweet smile just melted me. On that first day while a Team USA vs. Team Kenya basketball game was happening, I did a quick photoshoot with a group of girls. They became known as “the seven girls” for the rest of the trip. When I looked back at my photos later, I realized both P and D were right there in those early moments with the giraffes. God had already started weaving the connections before I even noticed.

These girls — and so many others — will forever be “my girls.”

Lessons I Carry Home

Every night at REM, the students gathered for devotionals — worshipping through music (It’s a fully body expression, IYKYK), sharing scripture, and encouraging one another. Their voices singing “Amazing Grace”, “Count Your Blessings” and “Adonai” still echo in my mind.

(My girl P was one of the Jr. High worship song leaders and R was a spoon drum player, D could always be found sitting right next to me!)

What struck me most was this: in our eyes, they have so little — tiny homes overflowing with people, worn shoes, simple clothing, very few possessions. But they are overflowing with love for Jesus. They have a pure joy in worship that humbled me.

As one of our leaders reminded us, “We may have it easy here in the U.S., but we often lack the recognition of our full need for God. They may lack things, but they are rich in joy and gratitude for Him.”

I carry their handwritten letters tucked into my Bible — over 40 notes of encouragement, prayer, and love. These have become daily reminders of their faith, their joy, and the impact of God’s love for his people everywhere.

I’ve also been reminded of how little I truly need. The kids helped me see how much I need to lean on Jesus every single day.

(letters with scripture stuffed in my bible, and a box of many more!!)

The Power of Sports

All 16 of us were divided over the sports throughout the week, my role was teaching volleyball. At the beginning of the week, some of the kids were juggling the volleyballs with their feet on the sidelines, unsure of the game. But by the end of our time there, I saw circles of students confidently bumping and setting while waiting for their turn to play. And on the court they started to understand rotation, to encourage one another, and to try again when the ball didn’t go their way. We were able to play full games, and even a Team USA vs. Team Kenya teachers!

There is so much talent at REM. I believe we’ll see some of these students succeed in county and regional competitions in the years ahead!

What’s Next

Since returning home, I can’t stop thinking about the kids. I miss them daily, and I look forward to sending letters with the next group traveling in September. And I can’t wait to go back — next year I plan to bring my older two boys with me so they can experience the love, joy, and beauty of serving in Kenya too.

One small but powerful takeaway was seeing the impact that shoes had on the students in Magadi. Because of that, I’m beginning a shoe drive at my photography studio. If you’d like to donate shoes of any size (children through adults), I’ll make sure they get into the hands — and onto the feet — of kids who need them most.

Above all, I’d love to ask for your prayers. Pray for the students at REM, for their teachers and families, and for the future of this sports program that is giving them skills, confidence, and joy.

And maybe you’d like to sponsor a kiddo…aren’t they all so amazing? You can go here for sponsorship.

And if God is nudging you toward serving on a mission trip — don’t let fear stop you. I felt so safe at REM and everywhere we traveled, and more importantly, I felt the undeniable truth that when God calls you to something, it’s for His glory and His purpose.

(Kids celebrating the shoes deserves another spot in this blog post!!)

I went to Kenya thinking I was going to teach sports. What I didn’t realize is how much these students would teach me.

PS. If you feel lead to give toward our future trip (the cost is $2800 per person) you can Venmo me, or send me a direct message for our address to mail a donation. :)