2011 Kenya Mission
In an effort to help myself plan for my upcoming trip, and to share my story with my family and friends, I’ve outlined my goals for this year’s mission trip to Kenya. I will be returning to Nairobi for the fourth year in a row to work with the students and staff at Made in the Streets, an orphanage and boarding school for kids that have lived on the streets of Nairobi. It is the most amazing place on earth.
I’m travelling by myself this year, but have had had several contributors that have made this trip possible. I’ve received sizable and generous donations from: my mom, Larry & Kitty McDowell (in-laws), Nelson & Janie Coulter (my school supt) and Jolene McDowell (sister-in-law). I’ve also received helpful donations from my past photography clients: Alex Cole, Dana Smyers, Rachel Nanez, The Chisums, Hailey Smith, Irene & Jesus and the Jones family. By far, the biggest contributor for this mission trip has been my wife, for being willing to let me plan, work and travel without any hesitation or reservation.
Here’s my big goals for this June:
Hang Out With Street Kids
The best part of my previous trips to MITS has been hanging out with students and staff, just getting to know them. All of the students have amazing stories and listening to them talk about their lives is such a blessing. There are about 30 new students who have enrolled since last July that I will get to meet for the first time and begin to learn their names.
I’ll get to see our sponsored students again: Mary, Mwanahawa, Duncan and Zainabu. They’ve been a part of our family for several years and their photos hang next to Laura’s and Kate’s on the refrigerator. They are getting close to graduating from the program and moving out on their own, so I hope to offer my encouragement and support to them. Its an important time in their lives and I’m glad to be there for it.
Photography Program
The MITS school administration has identified photography as an area in need of development for the students. There are many opportunities in the surrounding communities for students who know how to take and print photos. Taking product photos for the MITS sewing and jewelry shops, MITS woodworking shop, taking family portraits for those living in Kamulu and the list goes on. I’ll be taking (and leaving) two Canon DSLR cameras with lenses, a new HP laptop, photo printer and enough toner and paper to print 500 photos…everything they need to get started.
I’ll get to work closely with the students on the technical, artistic and business aspects of photography. I want them to learn to see the power of a single photograph and learn to tell compelling stories with images. I can’t wait to see what the students come up with after they have been fully trained, inspired and equipped.
Curriculum Development
I am extremely excited to work closely with Moses Okoth on curriculum development for the technology program at the school. Moses has been the technology director at the MITS school for many years, and has established a remarkable program. His computer program is one of the most advanced in all of Kenya. Moses and I will be going on retreat for a few days to do some intensive curriculum writing and planning. My intent is to introduce him to planning and writing a two year, layered curriculum from the ground up. We’ll look at how objectives, activity, student choice, problem based learning and assessments work together to build a strong course.
Moses has been taking on more leadership responsibilities at the school and I hope that he will be able to share this process with the other teachers there. They are all incredibly hard working and dedicated teachers and have always been open to learning new techniques. It is my hope that he and the others become more effective and more involved in planning and developing their courses.
Audio Recording
Every visitor to MITS for any length of time always comments on the amazing singing in daily chapel meetings and Sunday worship services. The kids and staff love to sing…its obvious. Its a glimpse into what heaven will be like. We recently published a new songbook that will be used by the MITS School, Kamulu Church of Christ and the Eastleigh Church, and I get to deliver the 200 books to them.
We are planning on doing some extensive recording sessions of these songs with the hope that we can produce a CD to sell as a fundraiser here in the states. I’ve made recordings in the past few years, but there’s always been the sound of dogs, goats and matatus in the background. We’ll be more deliberate this time, and hopefully I’ll return with tracks that have some commercial value to them. I’ll be using the Zoom H4N mobile recorder. Cool.
My Photography
My one selfish agenda item is for my own photography. I love taking photos anywhere, but my greatest joy is taking pictures in Kenya. I always take all of my gear. This time I will have my Canon 7D, when paired with the 24-70 2.8L and 70-200 2.8L is an amazing combination. I keep my gear fully insured and am always prepared to have it break or get stolen and come home empty handed, but have been pleasantly surprised each trip when I get it all home.
I hope to go back to Eastleigh and Mathare and visit the bases and visit Jackton’s parent’s home, but I may not get to travel in that area due to heightened security concerns. Eastleigh, known as Little Mogadishu, is not always a friendly place for visitors. Even still, some of the most amazing images have come from that neighborhood. I hope I can get back there again for a day or two.
Live a Better Story
There is no doubt in my mind that God has prepared me for mission work in Kenya. I can see evidence in every step of my life that has laid the groundwork for the things I am planning on doing on this trip. The things I have become most passionate about in the states have a directly correlated need in Kenya. Its a blessing that these two parts of my life fit together so well. I am blessed to be able to live out the mission in full view of my friends and family in Texas, in Kenya and across the internet.
I hope to write often before and during my trip. Now that you know what’s going to be happening, I invite you to participate with me. Thanks for reading. I’ll have more and more to post as we get closer to June 6th.
