“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

We chose to go to Kenya when my husband’s work called for him to go. There was not a booming voice from Heaven or a loud earth-shattering moment. It just made practical sense to go where he was already going as a family on mission before his work began. So, we began to make plans. I am a big believer in joining God where He is already at work – like Henry Blackaby teaches in Experiencing God. And that is when the search began in connecting to different missions, ministries in Nairobi to see where my family of four and our dear friend could join in. Through all of my tireless searches for someone to need us, I met Bishop John Rampei and his wife, Jackie. I have to make a loud celebration statement to Tia & Gary Broughton for the introduction to Austin Henry who made the official introduction to Bishop Rampei. Thank you!

We had many conversations before we embarked on our journey to Nairobi and we determined that the Lord was wanting us to lead a Pastor’s Wives Discipleship Conference for the 171 churches within the Maasai Tribe. Bishop and his wife oversee these churches and work diligently to support them with their needs and provide guidance in their faith. They had hosted many Pastors Conferences, but none for the wives. As many of you know, I am not a Pastor’s Wife, so out of the gate the Lord was working to reassure me that I would be embowered by the Holy Spirit to give these ladies exactly what He knew they needed. And so I began to pray.

Precept Ministries has meant much to my personal growth as a believer. About ten years ago I mentioned to my own Pastor’s wife the desire to go to seminary, and she asked me if I had ever heard of Precept. Which I had not. This changed my life and my walk as a young woman in Christ. For more intel on Precept, check out their website https://www.precept.org/. It will be a catalyst in your walk with the Savior. As I began searching for material we could cover, I needed something in Swahili. And guess what – Precept prints materials in Swahili. So quickly, I felt God move us to this material that covers Mark chapters 1-6, Experiencing His Touch.

And now we had a plan! When you go on a mission trip to a place you’ve never been with a small group, you never really know what to expect. Our first day moved very slow as we were just getting acquainted with the new time zone and the pace of the people. As I have found in most places, they run on their own time, never the actual time on the clock. And when you take your children on trips like this, it is important to have many areas where they can find an outlet to have fun. Who’s kidding, adults need that too. Our first day, we went to the the well known tourist stop – The Giraffe Center. This is a very unique place to learn about giraffes and also feed them! And like a good mom, we try to stay places, every time we travel with a pool. Now, this was a mission trip and I make zero promises, but it just so happened that the hotel that Bishop Rampei uses for mission teams came with a pool. So, needless to say, my kids were pretty happy on day one.

Georgia and Joel feeding the giraffes at the Giraffe Center in Nairobi. AND the outstanding pool at our primary hotel, The Smith Hotel.

On Sunday, we were blessed to go to church in one of the churches in the Maasai Tribe. I am not certain exactly how long it took us to arrive from our hotel outside of Nairobi, but I feel confident it was every bit of 2.5 hours on many roads that were more like mountain climbing. Many times I wanted to send a message to my pal Steve Borden and Kristin Qualls thanking them for the amazing roads we have in East Tennessee. In many spots they were dirt roads, rocky roads, pot hole roads and the village churches and schools felt like they were a million miles from any civilization. But we arrived. And when we did, we found hundreds of believers gathered worshipping and celebrating our God. I had forgotten what it felt like when you visit a sweet place and you are the guest of honor. The Pastor, his wife and all of the elders of the church met us outside to shake our hands. They ushered us to the front of the church to sit in the row in front of the elders, gave us waters and made sure we were okay. The church celebrated us making the effort to come to their home. Many of the people of this village had never seen white people so they were very fascinated with our skin and our hair. Joel especially. I have learned that when you go abroad on mission trips any type of candy from America is a big hit. For church, I had brought a huge bag of candy canes and I felt like I caught a glimpse of what Jesus felt like navigating through the crowds when the lady with blood touched the hem of His garment for healing. I quickly became overwhelmed, and thankfully a church momma came to my rescue. It is very customary to gift your guests in the Maasai Tribe. We received our first gifts here at the church service, beautiful necklaces and bracelets made by hand. These are very high quality and something they take very seriously. It was truly an honor to receive. Also, per custom, we joined the elders and the choir ladies for African Tea after the service. It was amazing!!! Even Clif enjoyed a cup!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were our primary mission days. We were devoted to leading the ladies conference on Monday and Tuesday and then on Wednesday visited two local schools. During the time of the conference, I realized that Maasai also have their own language, so by the end of the two days together we had covered five languages: English, Swahili, Maasai, Greek and Hebrew! At the beginning of our time together, I had asked if any of the women had ever participated in a Bible Study. And only three hands of the 70 women went up. At this point, I knew we were about to experience something really great. Danielle had asked me early on how I planned to lead this conference, and I quickly shared that I had no idea. I was hoping that the Lord would reveal His plans as we began to walk in it. And He sure did. I quickly felt comfortable with leading much like I lead studies here in America and the women appeared to love it. Laughing even at my silly jokes. I did feel a bit bad for my translator, David, as he and my sweet husband were the only men in room. Over and over again, the women were completely engaged and we were sharpening one another with the Holy Word of God as our edge. Jesus displays so much greatness throughout Mark chapters 1-3. Over and over again we see how experiencing Jesus never leaves anyone the same. And it is certain that none of us who spent time together will ever be the same. The Creator of the Universe united women from the most different worlds and the most opposite walks of life. Many of these women travelled hours to be together – some carpooled and some walked. The Pastors picked up as many as they could and then stayed to serve the ladies during this amazing time. Only the small babies stayed with us, so I know that childcare from afar was also a factor. We had three total sessions conquering the first three chapters of Mark. During our last session, we felt led to do prayer and anointing over each woman in attendance. The prayers of each of these women were both completely unique and cries of their hearts. Nothing about the oil was special. Nothing about two very white American girls praying over them was special. What was special is that each one felt seen. What was special was that our God showed up for each one. What was special was the elder women creating a hedge around each lady crying out to the Father for the family, food, money, passion for the Word, church, radical revival for their church, and so much more. Each woman was broken. Each woman was seen. And we were emptied out. The Precept ladies of my church gave an overwhelming donation before we left and my church gave a powerful donation – every dollar was needed to provide for the food, transportation and study materials for the conference. Bishop desired this to be the first of the many conferences geared towards each group of people within their tribal body of Christ. And it was definitely one to remember.

There was no air conditioning. The heat was a solid 95 degrees Fahrenheit. There was not running water for the washrooms (toilets) nor cushioned and cozy seats. The floors were dirt and the cattle were nearby. The flies were in abundance. The lunch (goat) of the two days was slaughtered out front. But the Power and the Spirit of God was there – and that took the main stage. Church and Christianity is about so much more than just showing up somewhere on Sunday. I heard a powerful sermon earlier this year about walking in the flow. I’ve never felt more in the flow of the desires of the Lord than I do in 2025. We’ve traveled more than ever, but we are walking in obedience in its fullness. Another sermon I heard this year spoke of investing into ministries around us so that we can also reap the benefits of their fruits. AND I LOVE THAT! How often do we give to support a ministry only to get a cool t-shirt? What if we gave before being asked? What if we gave our full 10% tithe to our church and then pour another 20% into ministries surrounding us? What if we actually gave to churches we weren’t members of because we felt compelled to? What if we gave massive portions of our incomes to ministries that we see first hand embodying Jesus? What if the church planned their mission work/trips the way they do their vacations? What if…..

I had no idea what God was planning to do with a families obedience to go where He said to go when He said to go there, but this was a catalyst for the female leaders of these churches to be empowered to reach and disciple the women in their congregations accordingly. We only finished half of the lesson so that they could go and finish the other half with the ladies of their church. They left with a mission. And I left with a new and rejuvenated purpose. The people of Kenya. The people of Maasai Tribe. The body of Christ in Kenya needs us. We as Americans have been richly blessed and we use our blessings to destroy ourselves. We create more debt, more clutter, more calories and more accessories. The Church in Kenya needs food, bibles, study materials, pens, and transportation for Pastors.

And we had the privilege to spend time with two schools. The first school, Oloika, was miles off of the main road that is the primary school for 150 children. Many walk miles to be here one way and do not receive breakfast or lunch at school. They are blessed to have water. This school does not have text books or black boards nor do the children have shoes. For $240 breakfast and lunch can be provided for all 150 children for three months. An amazing church has built two strong infrastructures for the children to potentially board here during the school months and can house up to 90 children, but it will cost $30/month/kid to cover the cost of boarding. These children loved playing soccer aka futbol and their candies! But I wanted nothing more than to order pizzas for everyone – but no Dominoes was nearby. I have always heard the phrase, “now that you have seen you are responsible.” It is now my job to give and encourage others to give. Can we as the body of Christ stop eating out a few times of month and pay for kids to have lunch at school? And not just any kids, but the kids you see below in blue.

How can you give? What can you do?

You can go. I can help you in planning your very basic trip to equip the saints of Kenya, Maasai Tribe.

Groups needed: Teams to minister to children and teenagers. Medical Clinic teams. More leadership development among Pastors and other church leaders. Anyone who can lead a bible study or host a vacation bible school.

You can give. Send to my Venmo and I will show you where you money is going – Bishop John Rampei and the 171 churches. @heather-haley-16

Items needed: $4 Precept books; $10 Bibles; $240 for school lunches; textbooks; blackboards; buildings for more ministry usage for Pastors and leaders; housing for leaders to stay at near the primary church; motorbikes for Pastors to easily get to all of the churches they are leading; more schools closer to the villages so the children do not have to walk 3 miles one way each day; and so much more.

You can purchase Maasai bibles – in their language. Many of these Pastor’s wives did not possess the Holy Word in their native tongue. You can purchase more Precept materials in Swahili.

You can pray. But really pray – add these requests to your prayer walls and your daily reminders.

Thank you for considering this a space to devote your time, energy, money and prayers. They love the Lord. And they could use a partner.

And let’s not forget, this is Kenya. Just down the road from where we had been ministering for three days, Bishop drives us five minutes off of the road for my husband to capture this shot…..

And don’t forget to check out my husband’s ETSY store to see ALL the greatness of God’s creation he was able to capture. And YES I have been married to a photographer for a long time and appreciate seeing the back of the camera! https://www.etsy.com/shop/CliftonHaleyPhoto?section_id=39963622

We had the privilege on our last night to stay in an actual Safari Game Camp in Maasai Mara. I HIGHLY recommend. And it was the perfect way to wrap up a powerful week among God’s creation with His people. Mission trips with kids are just a way of life for us – I want my kids to experience every discipline and command of Christ before leaving my home. He says, “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Yes, that means local and abroad. Plan your mission trips the way you plan your vacations. He commanded us. And it is a command that when we obey is maybe more beneficial to our hearts and minds than one could ever fathom. Be available to Him. Be willing. Let tomorrow look different than today. Let God use you in the ways He created and watch the peace fill your heart, soul and family.

“Seek first His Kingdom and all these things will be added unto you” … says Jesus.