Why Kenya? — Cultivate Overflow

More like…why not?!

Just kidding. I never thought I’d go to Kenya, let alone want to go. Friends have shared their amazing safari stories and the thought of seeing giraffes in their natural habitat? Sooo cool. But never had an interest in going myself.

Even when I was invited to join Prisma Dance on their mission trip, I didn’t really consider it. Till…

I remembered my Econ Professor once telling us the very opposite point of Hawaii is Botswana (25-ish years since I’ve graduated and that’s one of the few things I remember. Heh.). And while there’s still a massive distance between the two countries, something about that memory made me “just look.”

Shortest distance between Kenya (orange) and Botswana (green)? 1,773 miles.

God had reminded me that after I went on my first mission trip with my New Song Youth Group, that I, indeed, had a strong desire to be a missionary. There’s something amazing about stepping into an unfamiliar culture, not only pour into the communities, but unbeknownst to me, I was the one being filled by their outpouring of welcome and heart.

While I look in my vault for my mission trip photos, here’s a cherished memory from way back when…
They ended up dancing this hula on live TV in Taiwan…when even simple hip movements weren’t allowed on mainstream TV! God is good!

But I blinked. And that dream never came to fruition.

So why now? And why Kenya? I finally took seriously the invitations to go, and through much prayer and consideration, I knew I couldn’t pass up on this opportunity.

Not just to bond with my Prisma Dance team.
Not just to take the entire “ParTEE in the Safari” journey from mini-putt fundraiser to the mission trip itself.
Not just to learn and grow, teach and be taught, observe and gain perspective.
Not just to share His light and love and to see His light and love through others.

But also to renew my desire to serve the Lord in a capacity beyond myself.

So, yeah. …. Why not Kenya?