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Into Africa: Transforming the World, One Life at a Time By Chad J. Cooper Significance. It’s a word that I have thought about often in recent years. Specifically, I have asked if God is significantly using my life to impact the world. This may be strange question for a 31 year old. Most likely things such as my studies about transformational people—people like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus of Nazareth—and my realization that the older I get the quicker life seems to speed by, have encouraged me to examine what kind of legacy my life is leaving. I had great hope that our upcoming trip to Kenya would be an opportunity to significantly impact the world. As I planned our short-term mission trip, however, I became aware that without intentionality, our time in Africa could easily end up simply being a glorified, church-led vacation. With this in mind, I wanted to develop some programs that would make our short-term mission trip an integral part of a long term relationship of service and ministry. As we studied about Kenya and the specific areas where our team would travel, we learned there was a new medical clinic that did not have electrical service and a growing congregation that had no pews or chairs in their church. In response, our church began raising funds for these needs. During our preparation, we also learned that the Kenya government provides education for children only through the 8th grade—high school must be paid for by individuals. Unfortunately, high unemployment, poverty and years of drought have made it difficult for many to pay for even basic necessities, making education an unattainable luxury. Currently there are thousands in Kenya who are unable to attend secondary school and who are left with very few life options. One of our contacts who had started a Christian boarding school for girls shared with us about numerous girls who were financially at risk of dropping out of school. In light of this need, a sponsorship program was developed to pay for the education of needy girls. Sponsors’ contributions cover the cost of tuition, room and board, books, activity and medical fees, as well as other school costs. Sponsors also write to and pray for their students. Our program allowed 42 girls to continue in their education—an education that helped protect these girls from under-age marriage to older men, prostitution, sexual activity, and the AIDS virus, all of which are common fates for young, naďve and unemployed girls. It is not an exaggeration that for a little less than $30 a month lives had not only been touched but also saved—literally! These pre-trip projects allowed our church to start impacting lives and developing relationships long before arriving in Africa. They also added meaning to our mission trip because we were able to meet face-to-face those we had been serving for months. These projects also have allowed us to continue to relationally serve people in Kenya long after we returned home. In John 10:10, Jesus says that he did not come just to give life, but to give it abundantly. I now understand that this verse is not just about what God will do for me, but more importantly what God will do for others through me. By doing such things as eating less, shopping at a thrift store or going to fewer movies, I am able to save money which can be used to show the abundance of God’s love in tangible ways. My journey into Africa taught me that one of the best ways God can use me to impact the world is by my efforts to positively touch lives, one person at a time. That’s significant! |
Giving to CBF of
Missouri:
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