Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send?’…And I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.”-Isaiah 6:8
Beautiful, heartfelt words from TGD Kenya Founding Director (and mentor to Give Amore Founding Director Christa Horst), Stephanie Rivers regarding her first trip to Kenya in 2008…
The first morning I awoke in Kenya in 2008, I heard incredible bird song and rhythmic tribal drums beating in the distance. I was captivated and crept to my window (hoping no one out there would see me) and peered out through beautiful and dense foliage and held my breath. God was breathing. God had brought me. The pleasure of His Perfect Presence invigorated my soul to give Him glory for His vibrant creation. I am always at home in Jesus.
Just eighteen short years later, I am poised to return, God willing. I am praying God handpick His Love Bearers and Messengers to join me on a ten day excursion in October 2026 into the lush and beautiful southwest Kenya, to Shibuli, Emusanda, and Isongo…to greet Bishop Titus, the Give Amore Team, and revisit the TrinityGlobal Development building begun in 2009/2010. It isn’t a cheap trip! As much as 5000 USD even before bringing extra to share there. “Who will go? Whom shall I send?” Here I am. Send me.
Things have undoubtedly modernized in the last decade. Former tiny villages grew into little cities. Large China-created broad roadwaysappeared crisscrossing the continent as rich corporations mine the precious resources. Americans on safari have likely brought their dollars improving access to services for tourists. The big grocery stores, at least during my former years of service, increased dramatically with extensive inventories. Still, the remote areas find little children thirsting with limited or distant access to water, localwells aging out with contamination, villagers suffering preventable sickness or disease and so many possibilities for improvements to daily life, like a supply of shoes that could protect growing feet from jiggers. The larger system is relatively unconcerned at worst and overwhelmed, at best. Visitors get to stay in hotels with security, safe water, breakfast buffets.
We can bring fellowship and validation. Join me! We can say, “We see you.” We can arrive together and bring a fresh experience to our spirit, soul and body. Eye to eye. Face to face. To all the families and small churches, “You are not alone. God loves you. God sees you. Our infirmities and sorrows are carried by Our Creator, God above all gods. The One True God.” God honoring love.
Are you ready to lay down your life, take up your cross, and follow Jesus? Are you ready to share with others what God has given you? Ajourney to Kenya is not about your culture, your comfort, or your self-care. It isn’t your personal special moment. It is courage, care and communion. It is real life. Hot and different. Eleanor Franklin said, “Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you CAN do. Consider our brothers and sisters, the body of Christ around the world, where perhaps all the local neighbors need a little support from someone outside of their system. We are all One Body of Christ Jesus. Eternally living for His Glory. We can encourage one another that Jesus is alive and He is coming again! And share the good news with everyone who may not know that the perfect sacrifice of Jesus paid for all our sin and we can trust Him to bring us to God forever. Make plans. Save up. Pack your bags. Let God be exalted. We are always at home in Jesus, wherever we go.
Stephanie Rivers
TGD Founding Director & Prayer Partner and Supporter of Give Amore
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. -Luke 10:2
