I was thinking about our time at Mama Hellen’s a week or so ago, and I had an epiphany of sorts. HEAVEN! That’s what came to my mind. More specifically that our time there was the clearest image I’ve ever experienced of what eternity might look like—not to my eyes, but what it might look like for my heart.

I always heard about the streets of gold and the pearly gates and the angels. I used to like that movie What Dreams May Come, which gave a new perspective of what heaven might look like. As an artist, I especially loved the idea that heaven will be made of paint: beautiful, like the most beautiful painting in all the art galleries in the world.

But at Mama Hellen’s, I got a new (and better) image of heaven. Not a visual image, though the center is set on a beautiful little hill in the country with sweeping views of a distant mountain. This new image was of my heavenly family and how each day in heaven might be spent consumed with rejoicing in God.

While we were there, it struck me that all of those children are my brothers and sisters—and not only the children but also my teammates. We were all there at Mama Hellen’s as a family, and as a family we were there with, for, and because of God. Every day we would start by sharing a meal together, then having a devotion and prayer. After our always-exciting van ride to the center, we would begin by worshipping the Lord through singing with the children. Then we would learn about the Bible and God through teaching. Afterward, we would break into small groups where we learned more about each other and God. We would usually spend the afternoons playing, singing, talking, and loving the children. At night we would share another meal and then share our hearts, and spend more time praying. Each day went quite like this. Our time and our hearts were utterly focused on our sweet and amazing Heavenly Father. We were overwhelmed by his presence, and encouraged and amazed as he answered our prayers—ever eager to see what he would teach us.

I invite you to close your eyes and try to picture it: day-to-day life simplified, freely worshipping the Lord, surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ, being open and honest before each other and God. And daily, intentionally, learning more about the God who saved us and loves us and calls us his children (1 John 3:1).

For me, this is how I now imagine heaven. I’m sure the visual beauty will be more than I can ever comprehend, but now I know more clearly how full my heart will be for all of eternity. I always wondered what we do in heaven, and now I have hope that it will be a more perfect picture of what we did each day at Mama Hellen’s: worshipping and knowing God as a family. And not only that, I now know more of my family in Christ, whom I will be surrounded by as I sing praises to Jesus forever! Bwana asifiwe!!

— Submitted by Lise Harrison

What an amazing mission we experienced!  There were about 140 teens who came from both Mama Hellen’s Rehabilitation Center and a few surrounding churches.  Our main team led talks and small-group sessions for discussion of the 10 Commandments—helping all realize that it is not about the rules but rather establishing a closer relationship with God.  I led a smaller team with sessions for the younger kids at Mama Hellen’s (about 40 kids).  We told stories, acted out skits, held small-group discussions, sang songs, and played games on the topic of Paul—landing on his ability to have Joy in any circumstance!

We were able to see firsthand how God is changing lives for those kids in Kenya.  Through the sponsors’ support and Pastor Jackson’s vision, we are making an impact!  They have gone from barely surviving on the streets of Nakuru to living and being cared for at Mama Hellen’s Center, as well as attending boarding schools.  Some of the kids are nationally ranked near the top of their class!

But the true measure of God’s work in their lives is in the joy and love they have in their hearts.  And, fortunately for us, we were the recipients of their overwhelming gratitude—with huge hugs; big smiles; endless playfulness; and warm, loving spirits.

God showed us, through the kids there, how very little one actually needs when you live in the abundance of Christ’s love!  And we thought we were going over there to teach them something—HA!

Thank you all so much for your loving support of our mission.  Your thoughts, prayers and financial donations made it all possible.  And for that we are so grateful.

On the last day at the Center, before we left for the last time, my girls implored that they return next year! The people of Kenya won their hearts for sure.  As for me, I’d go back tomorrow! I got to do what I love—telling Bible stories to kids.  And I got to do it across the globe in AFRICA!  Yes!  Bwana Asifiwe—Praise God!

—Submitted by Brooks Koff

Looking through the glass of the van, there the kids were. All the months of waiting had finally arrived. They were all in small groups, singing and dancing. And all I could think of was how great it was going to be to get to know them and see how God would work on this mission. I was unsure of how to act at first— whether or not to just go ahead and give them a hug or shake their hands. But as soon as I stepped out of the van with the other people on our team, the nerves, the fears and all the worries that I was carrying with me just fell to the side. Hugs were exchanged, and smiles were widened. It was absolutely wonderful.

One of the things I remember most was, during one of the first days, everybody was scattered everywhere. Each team member had at least one of the kids by their side to love on and talk to. I was walking around, and I happened to notice one of the children lying in the grass trying to read the Bible, so I went over there and spoke with her—or tried to. Once I found out she couldn’t understand me very well, I made an effort to hug on her and just let her know somebody loved her. From that day forward, she was by my side most of the time: trying to teach me Swahili, dancing with me, worshipping by my side. It wasn’t just me loving on her; it was her loving me as well. And I thought about how much of God’s love is constantly revealed through these kids. They barely know who you are, yet they surrender to the love that you give them, and they don’t think twice about it.

Each new day in Kenya was filled with happiness. The kids are just such a joy to be around. They have this “no-care attitude,” and there is such a comfort level there that can’t be found anywhere else. You really feel like you’re at home.

The first two days were all about getting to know each other. We had church, worshipped, played games and just hung out. We went out to a wide-open grassy area both of those days. All that surrounded us were fields of green and brown with beautiful, lush hills in the distance lining up against the horizon. I thought to myself at that moment, “God, you are just so wonderful.” Those were two emotional days, and they were only the beginning! I grew very close to a few of the kids.

Over the next five days, we had Bible studies. Each day was a different topic from a story in the Bible. We studied Noah the first day, and what happened the next day was just so amazing. The weather was fairly normal to begin with, but toward the end of the day, a hard rain shower came down, and so we all crowded in an open-room building at the Center and improvised. The heavy rain and the thunder were so loud that we could barely hear anything. After about 30 minutes to an hour of a steady downpour, the rain began to subside and finally came to a complete end. We all walked outside. Lo and behold not one but TWO rainbows were displayed in the sky. God was reminding us of His promise.

We were fortunate to get an extra day with all the kids. The last Saturday we spent in Kenya was spent in Nairobi. On that day, we went to a serpentarium and then to an animal orphanage at Nairobi National Park. The kids were so excited to be there. This was quite an experience for them, and it was such a blessing to be able to share that with kids who are so grateful for everything they have and who never take anything for granted.

The hardest thing to do was to leave them. Going to Nakuru, Kenya, was an experience I certainly will never forget. I have never felt more happy and so close to God than when I was there. It was as if His never-ending, never-ceasing and never-faltering love were continuously shown throughout the mission, and I don’t go a day without thinking of how absolutely wonderful those kids are.

—Submitted by: Erica Denton

If you are unable to see the video above in your RSS Reader, Facebook Note, etc. then click here

When Port City Community Church first partnered with Pastor Jackson Mwangi and the Victorious Gospel Community Church in Nakuru, Kenya, we had no idea the magnitude and the breadth of that which God had in store for us all. What we did know was that the need was great, an opportunity was presented—and we serve an almighty God.

One of the many unmistakable examples of God’s movement at work among the body of PC3 has been made evident in the form of this partnership through our HOPE 127 program. “HOPE” stands for “Helping Other People Everywhere.” The “127” refers to James 1:27, which says, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.” This initiative was created to connect our local church body to people around the world. Its first project is the Kenya Project.

The HOPE 127-Kenya Project (hope127.org) is just three years old, yet it has produced great fruit both here and in Africa. From Pastor Jackson’s eager, unexpected arrival at our doorsteps to the 80 children now living at Mama Hellen’s Rehabilitation Center in Nakuru, one act of faith spurred countless others and has led to the currently unfolding reality of vital care for orphans and destitute children in Kenya. These are children who were once living on the streets due to violence, disease and poverty. Now, they have a secure place to live, basic physical and emotional needs met, and, most of all, a new-found identity in Christ. They are children like 10-year-old Gilbert, who had dropped out of school and was living with his aunt at the city dump before being rescued and taken to the center; he now plans to become a doctor when he grows up. Or James, one of the first boys to be taken in off the streets—where he lived for three years due to poverty and abuse—whose second chance at life has now taken him from Mama Hellen’s to his current enrollment in PEMA Academy. (PEMA, which means “a good place,” is the secondary school now being operated on site at Mama Hellen’s.) Some of the children’s parents have died of AIDS. Some lived on the streets for five years, others just a few weeks. But no matter their circumstances or conditions, they are each a sheep in His fold.

PC3 feels unspeakably honored to have partnered with Pastor Jackson, his wife, Peninah (”Mama Hellen”), and Victorious Gospel in their collective vision to rescue, rehabilitate and care for Nakuru’s children in need. Since Mama Hellen’s Rehabilitation Center was built and first opened its doors in the fall of 2005, God has worked through this project to show the children His love for them and to transform them as His own. In faithful obedience and love, Pastor Jackson and Peninah have guided the children morally and spiritually, reintegrated them into the Kenyan school system, and have kept them well fed—with nutritious meals as well as the nourishing Word of God.

Through our HOPE 127 sponsorship program, committed sponsors have the incredible opportunity to pray for these children and provide for their needs, as well as to participate in encouraging correspondence through periodic letter-writing. The idea is for each child to have three sponsors who will aid in the continual process of their renewal and care. Now that the children have a home at Mama Hellen’s, they are each joyous pictures of God’s redemption. We feel enormously privileged to be used by God to help welcome these new brothers and sisters into the body of Christ and to help continually disciple them through missions to Kenya. The call for us to reach God’s world in need has been affirmed unrelentingly with each relationship formed.

Right now the HOPE 127-Kenya Project is at a very exciting yet pivotal threshold along its journey. Recently, 30 new children have been accepted into the center, and as the project continues to grow, so does its need for support. Here are just a few ways you can get involved with HOPE 127:

• Currently, we have a need for over 100 new sponsors for these boys and girls, as well as general donations to the HOPE 127 fund. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email us (hope127 (at) portcitychurch.org) or stop by the Missions center on Sunday.
• If going to Kenya on a mission is something God has laid on your heart, the application deadline for the August Kenya mission has been extended to March 21st.
• There is also a group that meets to pray for Kenya in the PC3 café at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month, open to anyone.

We encourage you to prayerfully consider your place in God’s powerful story of the Kenya Project.

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” —Matthew 25:40

Going to Kenya was a long-awaited, life-changing experience for me.  My heart has longed for Africa since I was in high school; it was hard to believe I was actually there when we landed in Nairobi.  It was like finally getting something that your heart had longed for for over 10 years.

One of the best but most difficult experiences of the trip was when Pastor Jackson took us to a landfill (where people actually live) to bring each family a loaf of bread and a bag of milk.  The people of Kenya are extremely grateful and happy, although they have next to nothing.  It was a humbling experience, one that made me aware of how truly blessed we are in America to have an abundance of food, clothing and shelter, and a government that ensures everyone has basic necessities.

While at the dump, I picked up a little boy who looked about 2 or 3 years old.  His nose was runny, and he had a cough.  Although he never smiled, I could actually feel how happy he was to be held.  It was like he never got the chance to just relax in someone’s arms.  I know for a fact that if I would have taken him with me that day, no one would have stopped me. Putting him down was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

At Mama Hellen’s Rehabilitation Center, a PC3-supported home for street children, I was able to get to know some orphaned children.  Two in particular are Chir Chir and Alex.  I am now sponsoring Chir Chir through PC3’s HOPE 127 program so that he can continue to live at the center and get a good education.  Chir Chir lived on the streets for four years before being rescued by Pastor Jackson.  Many Kenya children still live in the streets, and they often succumb to a life of drugs and theft.  Their drug of choice (because it is so cheap) is a shoemaker’s glue that they sniff throughout the day.  A former street kid who now lives at the center said that he used to sniff glue so that he wouldn’t have to “feel cold, hungry or lonely.”

God has broken my heart for the children of Kenya.  They are so unselfish.  They have one or two outfits and eat very small portions of food each day.  We brought them candy and sodas on the last day of our trip, and they were elated.  It was like Christmas. One thing that really shocked me was that they didn’t say, “I don’t like this flavor”—which happens every time I give out candy in my classroom here in America.  They never complain about the heat, the flies, their situations.  In fact, the entire time I was with them I didn’t hear a single complaint. We took prayer requests one day, and Alex’s prayer request was for the needy.  He said, “There are a lot of people suffering in Kenya.”  This prayer request was given by a child with no parents, who lives in an orphanage and shares a room with about 15 other boys. All of his belongings fit into one grocery bag that lies at the bottom of his bunk bed. It is amazing that even though they have very little, these boys think of themselves as lucky.

Life is simple in Kenya.  They just have the basic necessities.  Sometimes I think maybe it’s better that way.

—Submitted by Shelly Long