Orphan Letters

Here are some letters written by some of the children of Oakcliff Bible Fellowship to the orphans of Busia. We delivered the letters to them and they are responding to them pretty soon! Out of the mouth of babes...

Dear Edwin,
My name is Nathan. I’m 11 years old. What are you doing right now? I am American. I am also a Christian. That is a religion, if you didn’t know. I live in Grand Prairie Texas. I believe in God. Do you? Write you back.
Sincerely, Nathan







To: Felistas
From: SanJuana

Dear Feslistas,
Well I picked you because you are 12 like me. Well I’m actually turning 12 on May 12. I send you this letter so that you can be a happier person and to have or just put a smile on your face! Well just write back.
Sincerely, SanJuana

Dear Omari
I whant to be your best friend. Well I’m goin to talk something about me, I’m 12 years old. I’m from Mexico and I’m in 5th grade and I’m goin to 6th grade. I whant to tell you that I think you are a great kid that’s why I’m goin to try to send you clothes and toys. And have a great live. Christopher




Dear Jerry
My Naem is Anthony. I am a boy and I am 11 years old. I remember wen I was 9 years old. I got kick ot of school for smugld a wepen it to school but if you don’t know wat wmugld means it meand sneing something in somewear. And I almost went to juvey, but most of tcheaers tell me not to be prod of it and I am not. And I hope you rite me back and I hope you don’t git into trobol like I did.
Sienserly, Anthony

What a Missionary looks like...

For everyone who doesn't know me, I am a 22 year old male, currently enrolled in school at Baylor university and working full-time in Waxahachie, Texas. This summer, I was called to go to Busia, Kenya and teach Vacation Bible School to orphans. Now, I wanted to mention everything about myself because I know there are tons of people who the Lord is calling to do something too, but you are looking at yourself and using everything that God has given you as reasons why you shouldn't go. I know, I did it myself. You see, when this opportunity was presented to me, I thought it was an opportunity I would unfortunately have to pass up. A missionary came to my church to challenge us all to go on a short-term mission trip, but I hardly thought he was talking to me. To me, I thought a missionary was someone who took on the position full-time, and devoted their whole time to mission work or someone who was retired and has nothing but time to go on mission trips. I didn't know God was looking for a missionary just like me, in my current situation, for His purposes. I finally realized it when God asked me to get serious about going to Kenya this summer, so that was when I prayed and told Him, "God, this trip is to teach orphans Vacation Bible School, that's not a manly thing to do! That's for girls, why would you send me?" And the Lord responded and said, "I have chosen you to go." (Matt. 22:14) Then I told the Lord, "God, I am trying to start school soon and be successful at work, I need to stay focused, this trip is in middle of everything and I can't divert my attention." And the Lord responded and said, "I have called you for such a time as this..." (Esther 4:14) That's when I noticed my excuses weren't working with God so I got real serious and said plainly, "Father! This is 10 days off from work, I can't afford to miss that many days and still pay all my bills!" But God responded with, "My son, it is I Who gives you the ability to produce wealth." (Deut. 8:18) Then I realized I couldn't win our argument, so I gave in to God and prayed for His favor to make everything fit into place. And I can confidently say after everything was over, He did all that and so much more.

Looking back, that experience taught me that many of the things that God blesses us with, we use against Him when He askes us to do something. Months before I ever heard of the mission trip, I prayed earnestly to God for a job, and He gave me one. Now I wanted to use that job as an excuse to not do something God was earnestly trying to get me to do. Also, I thank God for my youth, my masculinity and an opportunity to attend school, and these were all the same things I wanted to say prevented me from going on this mission trip. This shouldn't be so. So I want to admonish all who read this to think about what God is pressing on your heart to do, and see what things are stopping you. Are they actual obstacles, or things you know God put in your life in the first place? Everyone on our mission trip had "reasons" why they should be unable to go, our team consisted of teachers, choir members, college students, a business owner, many people with children both old and young, retired people, full-time workers, unemployed, married, single, someone who had never flown on a plane before, claustraphobics, people with breathing problems, people with bone, joint and flexibility issues, asthmatics, people of completely different backgrounds, personalities and talents. Yet God overcame everything in each person's specific situation to form us into one unified body able to do His work and prove why He wanted us to go. So once again I ask, "what does a missionary look like?" Anything that is created in His image...

And that's you...

...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
















Our arrival into Bumula, Kenya, just 30 minutes away from Busia.

The Power of the Touch

If I could summarize the purpose of this mission trip to Busia, Kenya, I would say it is all in the power of the touch. You see, in Africa, people of the same gender hold hands all the time, and it is almost taboo to see people of two different genders holding hands. Now that is very contrary to American culture, and even though I was born in Africa myself, I adopted the American point of view that seeing two men holding hands didn't look right. Even if it was old people or children, seeing it made me uncomfortable. But now that I am back in America, one of my most treasured memories of Busia, Kenya is holding some of their hands. In Kenya, I could be just standing there, minding my own business and someone would run up and grab my hand. They wouldn't speak to me, might not even look up at me, but just would grab my hand and stand beside me.

I think of all the times in America I would get on a bus or go to the bathroom and would immediately, almost instinctively move as far away from everyone as I could. I would grab the only seat on the bus where I would be by myself, I would always have a stall between me and whoever else is in the restroom. That's how we are in America, but in Kenya, and I'm almost sure in every other part of the world besides America, if there was a bus with a few people on it, those few people would be as close as possible. People would hold conversations about life, family and work in the restroom. In my short time in Kenya, I experienced what I have been, and what most Americans are missing out on: The power of the touch.

Before my trip, while I was trying to raise my support, my Aunt asked me, "if it cost each one of you $3,400 to go to Kenya, and there is about 14 of you all, that's about $46,000. Wouldn't the children of Kenya be better served by sending $46,000 to them rather than sending 14 people?" Her question really bothered me, I knew she wasn't trying to discourage me from going on my mission trip to Kenya, but I almost wanted to agree with her. The question lingered with me until I left for my trip but now that I am back, I can confidently say it was well worth it. Those children could care less for the luxuries, things that we consider 'necessities', that money can buy. They just wanted someone to make beads with them, play football with, sing with them, sit with them or just hold their hand. The ministry to the orphans of Busia was in us being there, not in gift-giving. And though that $3,400 could have gone into a one-time project sponsored by me for them, instead it turned me into a life-time advocate for them.

And I know that's just the way God wanted it...
















"Brooke Thrift and Purity making crafts"

Holding Back (Before)

"Holding Back" (Before)

If you are anything like me good bye is a very hard thing. I don't especially like them. Good bye for me is especially emotional and I avoid doing it at all cost. For this reason, I didn't really open myself completely to the children when I got there. I wasn't aloof but I made sure to keep my emotions in check and I repeated in my head, "You know you Brooke. Don't get too attached, it'll only end up in good-bye." I told myself this lie because I do get attached and I didn't want to go through the pain of having to leave. The uncertainty of whether I would be back or if they would be taken care of was killing me. But soon without knowing it I completely opened up. God allowed me to make bonds with the children I will remember for the rest of my life. And even though it was very difficult to say good-bye, or what little time we had to say it, I realized it really wasn't good-bye at all. It was good bye to me but not God's love or His presence in their lives. I had to realize that there is another team coming to love them and show them His kindness as well. I realized that God is taking care of them. Psalms 36:7 talks about His loving-kindness and the children of men hiding under his wing. I realize that God keeps each and everyone of those children and children like them hidden safe underneath His wing. They are very much protected. My tears were that I was leaving them but God wouldn't.

So I encourage anyone who feels they should hold back because good-bye is so painful. Don't. God has a plan for you and for them. You might leave but He never will. The same thing they see in you they will constantly see in the next vessel God decides to use, because He loves them. We are all vessels for God's use. In Mark 14, it tells of a woman breaking expensive perfume and anointing Jesus' head. I kind of see that with us and the children. The expensive perfume that we have locked inside of us is Christ and we are called to "anoint" people with His kindness and pour upon them the sweet fragrance of His love. And if His Will cause for the reuse of the same vessel, you'll be back. Even if it doesn't, know that they will keep a piece of you every time they meet someone new because the "you" they keep is the love of Christ.

Brooke Brooks

"Jerry and Edward giving a special good-bye!" and "All the children waving good-bye to us before they head to school"

Love has no Language Barrier

Devotional After My First Day in Busia:

This was my first day in Busia and I am so tired. I don’t recall ever being this tired before in my life. I feel a calm relief…a peace… and at the same time excitement about this marvelous experience. I remember how anxious I was a few weeks ago when I first realized that I was coming here. Some days I was excited and couldn’t wait and other days I was concerned. I was not only concerned about the travel…the long flight… changing planes…the long bus ride…but also the work here. I really didn’t know what to expect once I arrived. Before coming to Kenya I anxiously anticipated working with the children. I wondered, “Will they be able to understand my language? How can I communicate with them if I don’t know their language? How can I tell them how much I have thought about them and how I have longed to come to them?” I prayed, “Lord let me be able to communicate your love to the children of Kenya.”

As we drove to the camp I could feel tiny butterflies in my stomach from the excitement of finally being here. Riding down the bumpy red road I thought we would never get there. As my tired body momentarily gave away to a short nap we turned onto the narrow path that led into the camp. I remember stepping out of the van that first evening in Busia and seeing all these quiet, shy children just standing there, staring at us. All I could think about was how precious they were to the Lord…how He had created them in His image giving them special gifts and talents. Some of their faces revealed the same anxiety I felt. Strangely, all my anxiety melted into a strong feeling of warmth and compassion as I reached out and touched them.

I was reminded of a time when Jesus ministered to the children in Matthew 19:13-14: “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” And after laying His hands on them, He departed from there…”

As I walked through the group I wanted to touch them all. The children were receptive as their staring faces softly broke into shy smiles. Looking at the children, again I was reminded of a New Testament story when Jesus looked upon Jerusalem and said, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”… So I reached out and touched them and looked into their eyes. I could feel the love and compassion that I imagined Jesus must have felt as He ministered to the children. Soon we were playing games, singing songs and laughing together. As I looked around at my teammates they were all as involved with the children as I was. At that point, I knew my purpose for coming here. I was communicating to the children of Kenya the love and compassion of Jesus. I can always send money to Africa, but nothing replaces the touch of the hand… the face to face encounter that say, “You are important, you are cared about and you are loved.” The children responded. “My Lord,” I thought, “I am communicating with them; love has no language barrier.”

Jettie Johnson


"Jettie Johnson and Sylvia chatting on the last day of Vacation Bible School"

One Big Happy Family

Devotional -- One Big Happy Family

"For a long time, there was a story told about Jesus that never made any sense to me. It was the story of His mother and brothers coming to see Him while He was with His disciples. He acts as if He doesn't know who they are and doesn't go to see them. This story is found in three of the gospels, but I will take it from Matthew.

Matt. 12:46-50 "While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

I have read this many times and wondered why Jesus would do that to His family. More so I wondered, if He did to His own family, was He asking me to do it to mine too? Was He saying to leave my family? Was He saying to ignore them if they interrupt anything Godly? I never could figure out how I could apply it to my life or what it meant until the last day of our mission trip. On our last night of devotions, one of our team members, Rosie, asked the group if we wouldn't mind praying just one more time after we arrived in Dallas. She asked because she knew after the long 24-hour trip on three different planes, we would all be ready to leave and go home. Well, we all agreed to pray together and when we arrived in Dallas, we made the time to do it without any distraction. We weren't worried about grabbing our luggage, we weren't worried about how it looked to pray in the middle of a busy airport and we especially weren't worried about where our ride was at the time we prayed. For that brief moment in time, all that mattered was each member of our team and that they were blessed before we departed ways. That moment basically defined our entire mission trip, since it was very difficult to contact our family back home, all we had was each other. When we started our mission trip, our very first plane out of Dallas was delayed, which ended up causing us to be rushed at every other stop the entire time it took us to get to Busia. And even in Busia, we didn't have access to the internet, long distance and even Becca's Kenya phone wasn't getting reception. So for many days, we never had the opportunity to contact our family members except for a few text messages or a short call. We just relied on prayer and the fact that Buckner was sending them emails. And so, being in a foreign country without many of the normal everyday distractions we were use to, without any outside communication and being in a team atmosphere, we all became family members to each other. We prayed for each other, encouraged, served, looked after and cooperated more than a "mission team," we did it as a family. And so, on the surface, Rosie's request to forsake our actual family for just a few more moments after so many days of little to no correspondence with them seemed ridiculous, but because of how God divinely put us together, it was the perfect way to spend our last time together as a team. And even now, days after the mission trip, we still talk, we miss each other and we get excited about 'family reunions' to share pictures and eat.

Because of this experience, I now understand what Jesus meant in the story. He actually explained it when He said, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." He wasn't forsaking His family as if He forgot who they were; He was just demonstrating that when you are doing the will of God, those who are with you are the most important people. When everyone is in one accord, in the will of God and holding the same purpose, God can make completely different people from different backgrounds, ages, places, genders and talents come together divinely to make more than just a group, but a family. Some of them are mothers, some are sisters and some are brothers. So now I see that as encouragement to any missionary group, church, community, fellowship or organization. Whenever you place God and His will as the focus, everything else will fall into place, and you might even get a chance to meet some of your 'long-lost' family members!

I thank God I got to be reunited with some of mine..."

Olumayowa A. Famakinwa


"The children of Busia and us taking a picture after they received all their school supplies and humanitarian aid"