Lessons learned change World Changers

More than 50 high-school and college students hit the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, this summer with plans to change the world through various mission projects.

Experiences ranged from eating with their hands to waking up at 4 a.m. to feed street children. The students also toured a Hindu temple, worked in the second-largest slum on the continent and conversed with African students who put their faith in everything from Islam to witch doctor magic.

“My world’s never going to be the same. I’ve done so much and seen so much,” said Leah Barrier of Decatur, Ala. “I’m taking in way more than I can ever give to the people here.”

Students from Alabama, California, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Louisiana and Georgia merged as one International World Changers group for 10 days. The youth organization introduces students to missions and uses projects to demonstrate how they can make a difference in the world through Christ’s love.

One church the World Changers worked with was robbed just a few days before their arrival. The students painted the building and built benches to replace those that had been stolen. Stephanie Wong of Sacramento, Calif., said the day she spent at this church taught her what it means to be a servant. “This church was robbed before we got here. When we met the pastor and he was telling us about it, he wasn’t angry or upset. He was very calm and at peace,” Wong said. “He didn’t want to get back at the thieves but wanted to pray for their salvation. He had so much faith. Seeing his faith in action showed me how much my own was growing just by being here.”

Josh McLin of Baton Rouge, La., said the poverty he saw each day broke his heart. At the orphanage where the World Changers performed a puppet show, the group had a chance to see how Kenyans cook beans and heat water on top of three stones with two sticks of fire beneath. Money for cooking gas is hard to come by. “I’ll never forget the poverty, but mainly I’ll never forget how happy people are here,” said McLin, who loved working with the children. “They are so happy for what they have. I pray that I always remember the lessons I have learned here about being joyful in the Lord.”

Thank God for young people who allow Him to use them in volunteer projects. Find out more opportunities to become involved with International World Changers by going to the Web site: http://thetask.org/youth/iwc.