Departing the plane in Kenya there was a small part of me expecting to see Sally Struthers standing in an arid patch of dessert surrounded by emaciated children shouting, You can save the children! Or maybe I’d see a giraffe. Or maybe hear someone say, Hakuna Matata!

But the truth couldn’t be any further than the truth as a group of modern looking teens welcomed our team in song and dance in the Kenya airport. The overwhelming sense of love and joy has demystified all stereotypes and media portrayals of Africa.

Yes, there is pain and poverty. But there is pain and poverty everywhere!

So what’s the difference of the people here? The difference is in the faces and demeanor of those we worshipped with at Mavuno church. God moved as we corporately glorified Him through song—and dance. Oh yeah, these people get dooooooown! [I was shakin’ what my Momma gave me in the most holiest way. ‘Cause really, even the most conservative Christian would’ve been dancing like David danced.]

The idea of missions is going beyond handing out bread and passing out water. It’s moving beyond telling someone Jesus loves them. It’s beyond trying to impart Western ideas of how things should be done. This is doing life with normal Christians, doing life in hard circumstances. But the coolest thing is that sounds like us. Me, you, here and there.

I’m exhausted and have a full day ahead tomorrow, but I’m attaching some pictures 🙂

Lon Kalapp was here! Kibera slums, Nirobi, Kenya

Cindy Alvarez took pictures of amazing children in the Kibera slums. Yes, Cindy was here.

Claudia Figueroa laughed as she showed Kibera children how they danced. Claudia was here.

Jennifer Johnson "shot" this picture in Kenya. JJ was here.

For those who have donated, I want to say thank you. I’m here because of you. Whatever the size of your donation, it matters.

For those who would still like to donate, check out the “kenya countdown” blog post to see how. I’m still $2,300 dollars short. Any amount helps 🙂