The Blessings of Showing Up in Kenya

Written by Lisa Marlin

This is Part 4 of “The Blessing of Showing Up in Kenya,” a four-part series about Hope United Methodist Church’s July 2026 mission trip to Kenya (Find parts 1-4 here). After seven years apart, we returned to reconnect with longtime partners, serve alongside local communities, and continue relationships that have grown over more than two decades.

The Lasting Impact of Connections

Another blessing from the Kenya trip was reconnecting with brothers Henry and Silas, whose education was supported by the Center for Health and Hope’s scholarship program and Hope UMC members.

Henry traveled 11 hours from his home in the coastal city of Mombasa with his wife and three young sons. They made the long journey to see Clyde and Patti Jo Oakley, who had supported and encouraged Henry throughout his education.

His brother Silas, whom Ann Fort supported through college, also visited. Today, he coordinates the Center’s scholarship program, creating for others the opportunities that once changed his own life. During his visit, Silas led a video call with current scholarship recipients joining from locations across Kenya. He made the call from the living room of one of the houses where our team was staying at the Bio Intensive Center, with the Oakleys, Jodie Senter, and Pastors Jeff and Laura Rainwater at his side.

Additionally, Larry, one of the nurses we met at the Methodist Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, had been sponsored through nursing school by the Oakleys. Their investment in his education came full circle as he now invests his life in supporting patients on their journeys toward changed lives.

Returning Home With More

As our trip neared its end, we spent a few days at Samburu National Reserve, where we were blessed to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife across the dry savannah.

From Samburu, we returned to Nairobi for our final night at the Methodist Resort and Conference Center. Before heading to the airport the next day, we visited Kazuri, a small business that provides women with long-term employment, fair wages, healthcare, and profit-sharing. There, women handcraft colorful jewelry from clay sourced from the slopes of Mount Kenya, shaping, firing, and painting each bead by hand.

After dinner at Carnivore, a popular Nairobi restaurant, Sammy and Josh drove us to the airport to begin our 32-hour journey back to Denver. We are forever grateful for their keeping us safe throughout the journey and for always taking time to tell us about their country.

As we headed home, one familiar refrain stayed with us. Nearly everywhere we had gone—churches, schools, home dedications, the treatment center—we had heard our Kenyan friends proclaim: “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. That’s His nature. Wow!”

Wow, indeed. We arrived with few expectations, remembering Ann’s advice to previous teams to be flexible because plans often change as needs arise. And they did. But no doubt, these itinerary changes also led to even more friendships, mission connections, and stories to share.

Our luggage was lighter after leaving behind the tools, gifts, and supplies we had brought with us.

Our hearts, however, were fuller. We had arrived in Kenya carrying so much love with us. Somehow, we were returning home with even more.