MISSION TRIP

BY: ESTHER LEWIS

and continue my private school education, and will be graduating this spring.

My love for missions grew strong, and this year when the school said that two mission trips were being planned, one to Kenya and the other to Nicaragua, I was thrilled, and knew I had to go! Information and materials for fundraising usually came in late August or early September, but due to other countries’ COVID policies, everything came very late, and we had a very short amount of time to start fundraising and get our passports. When they told us the initial deposit deadline, I knew I could not meet it. I prayed to God to help me accomplish my goal. I would ask Him, “Lord, I want to serve You, and You know I enjoy traveling. If this is Your will, please make it possible.” I kept praying but as the deadline came closer and closer, I started to lose hope. We always talk about prayer and how meaningful it is, and I believe that. Despite this, I found it difficult to see God’s answer at this time. The deadline passed, I gave up on the trip, and I stopped praying. I had no idea God was about to teach me a lesson in patience.

One morning I was talking to one of the staff, and they posed a question I never expected. She asked me, “Esther, would you like to visit Africa?” Clueless about what she was aiming at, I explained to her how I wanted to visit Africa but missed the deadline to deposit the funds. She asked again and shared with me how God had impressed her to bless others by sending a student on a mission trip. I then understood what she told me. “I can’t. I don’t deserve that,” I pleaded with her repeatedly, but she insisted. In my mind, I told myself I must be dreaming. I didn’t believe it. God had answered my prayer. Why, when I lost hope and gave up on Him, did He still care about me? After that, I knew the only thing stopping me was a COVID test, as others in the past tested positive and then could not attend the mission trip. I knew that if it came back positive, all my efforts would be in vain. I again prayed to God that if He wanted me to travel, He would have to make a way.

The requirement of the Covid testing timeframe made everyone nervous, from the families of students going, to the students that had raised the money, and, of course, the sponsors and staff planning the trips. It was nerve-wracking. I would ask and wonder again; would all our planning and efforts end up down the drain? God saw the situation, and, like always, He came through!

I was on the way to Nairobi, Kenya. We traveled for more than 15 hours, having layovers and time changes from Nashville to Amsterdam, and eventually to Nairobi, Kenya. As we drove six hours to our base camp, I was mesmerized at how beautiful and simple life was; livestock walked along the roads, and the people dressed in cultural clothing waved and smiled as we drove by, making us feel so welcome. Once we made it to camp, we were exhausted, but we settled in and made a plan for the week.

The first day was exciting. We visited a local all-girls’ boarding high school, which previous mission groups had built. To welcome us, the girls prepared songs and invited us all to dance with them and even though I found it hysterical, I enjoyed it. It was wonderful to be able to talk with the girls and all get to know each other. They asked us about our families and our school, and wanted to touch our hair. It was overwhelming, but as they talked about their life ambitions and values, it made me want to pursue a purpose and truly live life to the fullest.

Days were hot and exhausting but fulfilling to know my work would benefit others. During our lunchtimes and breaks, I played with the kids and tried to learn Swahili by talking to them. They laughed at me as I struggled to pronounce simple phrases, but I appreciated their company. I made one friend in particular, a little boy named Meshach like the one in the Bible. He introduced me to his siblings and visited me and the others on the worksite whenever he could. As I spent time with all the children, I learned to be thankful for my life. They never complained about their living conditions, the clothes they wore, or even the deflated and torn soccer balls being played with. They were just grateful.

Towards the end of my stay, a fellow student, Abigail, and I decided to spend more time with the kids and hang around the local clinic to get any medical experience we could. We helped in giving immunizations to infants, stocking medicines, and sterilizing tools for various purposes. As the day was almost over and we were to head back to camp to pack our bags, Sara Bagshaw, one of the sponsors of our trip asked us if we wanted to stay longer to see a birth. Abigail and I excitedly agreed to this rare opportunity; we knew we couldn’t miss it. The woman who was to give birth had come to the clinic around lunchtime and showed signs that she would deliver that day. The time came for the baby to be born. Abigail and I were nervous and uncertain about what would happen. The kind nurses told us what we could do to help, and we waited patiently. Thoughts ran through my mind wondering if the mother-to-be would scream or cry, as I’ve seen in movies; I wondered if she was uncomfortable with strangers being there with no experience, just watching and trying to be helpful. Once she was in full labor and the baby was coming, the nurses supported the mother while Sara helped the baby’s head come out. It was a girl, and she was beautiful. To see someone’s life come into this world for the first time was amazing. The nurses, Sara, Abigail, and I were filled with joy, and of course, so was the mother. I couldn’t believe I got to see this spectacular moment. I witnessed God’s most beautiful masterpiece, life. After we weighed her and put warm clothing on her, I was blessed to be able to hold this newborn girl in my arms.

Sara and I helped the mother to her room to get some rest and meet her family waiting for the good news of a baby girl. As we walked, she thanked us for our help and asked our names as she wanted to name the baby after us, “Sarah Esther.” I told her no because I didn’t feel worthy, but I’m unsure if she listened to me. Her mother and grandmother helped her, and my job was complete. I was still in awe of the whole ordeal. At the age of 18, I would’ve never expected to come to Kenya, let alone see another life enter the world. As we drove away from the clinic back to camp, I thanked God for letting me meet the kindest people. I am most grateful to God for the change He made in my life and for putting me right where He wants me.