Kenya Global Project

Jun 5, 2010 - Jul 24, 2010

For university students in North America (also a special team for those majoring in NURSING)

Site and people:
The Kenya Global Project has a 25+ year history. Hundreds of students have benefited from the life-changing experience of participating in this short-term project to a country with one of the world’s fastest growing Christian populations!

There will be 2 teams serving together in Kenya: one consisting of students majoring in nursing (student nurses need to be entering their senior or final year) and another for students in other majors.

Kenya is located in a region known as East Africa. It lies on the equator and borders Lake Victoria to the west and the Indian Ocean on the east. It is a country of striking contrasts and incredible diversity. Conspicuous wealth can be seen side-by-side with desperate poverty. Increasing urbanization and technology, widespread corruption, crime, large numbers of refugees from neighboring countries, one of the highest rates of population growth in the world, a majority population under the age of 15, and a high incidence of HIV/AIDS are creating spiritual, economic and social challenges. Kenya has a strong history of missionary outreach, though there are still many unreached people-groups within its borders. Christianity in Kenya is the predominant religion, though much of it has been described as “a mile wide and an inch deep”. English and Kiswahili are the national languages, though many still speak their tribal languages exclusively.

Program:
June 5---Join teammates in a U.S. city for introductions
June 6---Leave for Nairobi
June 7-15---Orientation in Nairobi
June 16-July 7---Ministry assignments throughout Kenya
July 8-16---Back in Nairobi for story telling and ministry exposure
July 17-22---Re-Entry Training
July 23--Leave Kenya
July 24---Arrive in U.S.

Ministry:
Two ministry teams (nursing and non-nursing students) will include university students from across the United States and Canada (2-4 Kenyan students may also join our team). After a joint cross-cultural orientation, the students on the nursing team will be placed in hospitals and clinics for 3 weeks. Ministry will consist of serving the medical staff in any way needed, including limited patient visitation and care. Students will have opportunities to observe medicine as it is practiced in hospitals and clinics in a developing country.

The second team will consist of students in non-nursing majors (though nursing majors can choose this option as well). Groups of 2-4 students will have the rare opportunity to live in the homes of Kenyan pastors and other ministers (scattered throughout Kenya) and serve under their leadership for 3 weeks. Most of these ministry assignments will involve students in preaching, giving testimonies, teaching, sharing the gospel, ministering through prayer and visiting church members with the purpose of strengthening the churches and ministries. Some students will get the opportunity to work with and/or teach children in orphanages and schools. Others will be involved in ministry in Nairobi's slums or with teenage vocational rehabilitation.

After 3 weeks of ministry, all the students will come together in Nairobi for 12 days. This time will be spent telling stories from the 3 weeks away as well as getting exposure to ministry in the Nairobi area (which may include a work day in a Nairobi slum, prayer walks through Hindu temples and a mosque, service in a Mother Theresa orphanage, and a discussion led by a panel of foreign missionaries).

Goals:

1. One primary purpose of this project is to introduce students to some basic cross-cultural ministry skills critical for any missionary. While it is difficult to make a substantial long-term contribution toward the missionary effort in Kenya during a short-term project such as this, Kenya is an excellent place to begin to learn how to minister in a cross-cultural context.

   We will focus specifically on

   • learning to observe cultural differences
   • learning to cope with cultural differences
   • learning to bond with a different culture
   
   
2. A second purpose of this project is to serve and encourage Kenyan churches, hospitals, and university students. Kenyan Christians benefit from their exposure to their brothers and sisters from across the globe. We bring fresh perspectives and try to challenge them toward deeper discipleship in ways that will supplement the work of local ministers.

   Also, in contrast to our own culture, many non-Christian Kenyans are very receptive to hearing the gospel. God willing, many students on the team will experience the joy and privilege of leading Kenyans to Christ.

3. A third important dimension of this project is its strong emphasis on discipleship and spiritual development. The exposure students have of working on a team, living and working alongside vibrant Kenyan Christians and facing the challenges of serving as a missionary in a developing-world context tend to bring out issues of faith and Lordship, as well as the critical importance of prayer, scripture and healthy conflict resolution.

   While we intend to make a contribution to Kingdom work in Kenya, students planning on joining this project should realize that we are not going to Kenya with the unrealistic expectation of trying to change Kenya in 7 weeks, but to instead let God change us through Kenya.

Orientation and re-entry:
Students will be equipped for cross-cultural ministry through 8 days of training near Nairobi at the beginning of our time in Kenya. We will spend much of this time growing together as a community through worship, Bible Study, prayer, and recreation. While overcoming jet lag, we will learn to minister as a team and discover the culture of Kenya through guest speakers, cross-cultural simulations and “hands-on” exposure before entering into our ministry partnerships.

The final week in Kenya will be spent in rest, reflection and recreation. We’ll discuss what we learned, pray through the applications for our lives, and prepare to re-enter American culture.

Notes about the Project:
Students who go to Kenya need to be ready to offer the hope of the gospel through verbal witness and service. Student applicants need to be able to clearly articulate the essentials of the gospel message. Qualities sought in applicants include spiritual and interpersonal maturity, teachability, flexibility, and the ability to work on a team. Little language preparation is needed as we will typically use translators where English is not spoken. A brief introduction to Kiswahili is provided during orientation. Some of the ministry assignments will involve rugged, remote living conditions. Preference will be given to students who come with one or more students from their campus (limit: 7 per campus).

Nursing students: Student nurses need to be entering at least their senior year or be a recent graduate (unlicensed). Call Debbie Lee (Kenya GP nursing director) for clarification (406) 239-2340.

For more information: http://www.ivrockies.org/kenya/

Project Director(s):
Brian and Deb Lee

Project Director's Bio
Brian and Debbie have co-led the Kenya Global Project for the previous 12 years. Brian has been on staff with InterVarsity for 25 years at the University of Montana. Debbie is a registered nurse and will be helping to lead the medical team.

Application & information:
Students are urged to apply on or before February 7. Team member selection will be finalized by approximately March 1.

Project Contact:
Phone:406-251-6263
Cell: 406-239-5629
Email: Brian_Lee@IVStaff.org

Project Cost:
$4725

Project Disclaimer:
*** See disclaimer