As the first part of our trip to Kenya comes to an end, we are getting ready to move from our time of mission into our time as tourists. We will see more of Kenya over the next few days, experience new things, and enjoy the beauty of this amazing country, b ut I can't help but think that although the mission portion of our trip is over, the mission is not. Mission is not something we do only when we travel to another country. Mission is something we are called to do every single day, wherever we are. Sometimes we make mission seem like it has to be something big. We have to travel somewhere, serve someone, build something, or do something that feels important. But maybe mission can be much simpler than that. Maybe mission is saying hello to someone who looks like they are having a difficult day.  Maybe it is offering a smile to a stranger.  Maybe it is taking a moment to listen to someone who needs to be heard.  Maybe it is helping someone who is struggling, o...

Reflecting on the mission part of our trip to Kenya, I think the least common denominator is food insecurity.   Imagine living in a hovel made of tin sheet roofing. No lighting. One room 10x10 with no windows. No bathrooms. And sharing that space with 6 others. It would be hard. Add to that no food for days. No job. Crime. How enticing it would be to steal; maybe just some fruit from a stand,or something to get around with like a bicycle.  We heard stories from the boys that ran away from home and are now living at Kweto Home of Peace.  They are fed each morning, they get a tea break midday and a nourishing lunch. They were so excited to give us a tour and show us they have an actual bed (no pillow) that they must make each morning. They learn to wash their own clothes and have a shower (a stall with a bucket for water) and what I call squatty potties. They are in school learning. If you are hungry, how can you focus on studying at school?  Lu...