If It Matters Here, It Matters There
Recently, we got the chance to sit down with John Parker, Summit’s Local and Global Outreach Pastor, and what he had to say about our four upcoming trips to visit some of Summit’s global partners was inspirational. John’s insight into the importance and strategy of these key engagements reminded us how important this ongoing kingdom work in Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia is and how blessed we are to call Summit home.
Summit Students in the DR
Recently, we caught up with Chad Buel, Summit Lake Mary Student Minister, to get the scoop on Summit Students’ latest trip to the Dominican Republic. For years, our brave Student leaders have been taking groups of High Schoolers to Barahona, DR, to serve alongside our friends at Children of the Nations (COTN)—one of Summit’s strategic global partnership organizations. Chad said this particular trip was special, though.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with OneLamb
This marks the eighth and final installment of our global partner check-ins. We will hear from Ciru Mutura, Founder and Executive Director of OneLamb in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2011, Ciru sensed God’s initial prompting through a CNN Freedom Project documentary about human trafficking. She did some research and learned it was occurring in her home-city, which led her to begin taking action to rescue girls facing exploitation in a local informal settlement (also referred to as a slum) in Nairobi.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with the Kirisuah Family
As we near the end of our global partner check-ins, we return to Kenya to hear from Josiah and Sarah Kirisuah. Part of the Maasai tribe in southern Kenya, they became the first Christians in their community many years ago and sensed a call to share their faith with their village and surrounding community.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with Tazama Nia
We’re continuing in our series of updates from our global partners and what’s been in store for them throughout 2020. This week has us with Tazama Nia in Kenya. Founded by a Summit family, “Tazama Nia” is Swahili for “looking ahead with anticipation.” Living in a distressed community of Nairobi, this concept is this mindset they strive to lead with and inspire in others as they walk with vulnerable people in following Jesus.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with Children of the Nations
We’re continuing in our series of updates from our global partners and what’s been in store for them throughout 2020. This check-in takes us to Malawi with Children of the Nations, which has a stated vision of “raising children who transform nations.” In the interview, we hear from COTN staff members who work in the village partnership program and sustainability and engagement.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with Africa Windmill Project
We’re continuing in our series of updates from our global partners and what’s been in store for them throughout 2020. In this week’s check-in, we get to hear from Africa Windmill Project. Founded by a Summit family, Africa Windmill Project seeks to establish food security in Malawi by educating farmers on irrigation techniques and sustainable agricultural practices.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with Children's HopeChest
We’re continuing in our series of updates from our global partners and what’s been in store for them throughout 2020. This week we learn more about our partnership with Children’s HopeChest, which works to support orphaned and vulnerable children and communities in multiple countries.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with World Relief
We’re continuing in our series of updates from our global partners and what’s been in store for them throughout 2020. This week we have the opportunity to hear from our friends at World Relief. World Relief is a global organization that empowers local churches to serve the most vulnerable in their communities. Since 2013, we have partnered with them in Malawi.
Global Partnerships: A Conversation with Nairobi Chapel
In this interview, we hear from Bishop Oscar Muriu, leader of Nairobi Chapel in Nairobi, Kenya. He shares all about their ministry as a church community, how they have been navigating COVID-19, and how we can pray for them at this time.
Go Ahead and Write Your Letter
I don’t know about you, but the word “distance” has become a regular part of my vocabulary. I have no idea how often I used the word back in January, but I can assure you that my daily use of the word has at least doubled, if not tripled, throughout the spring. And while not only is the use of the word but also the actual practice of the concept of “distance” in my daily life pretty different now, there is one marked area of my life where it’s not such a new practice.
More Than Hoped For
While in Kenya, Paige spent time with one of our global partners, Tazama Nia. This organization works with women, children, and vulnerable individuals in the slums of Nairobi. Paige was able to be a part of facilitating Tazama Nia’s summer Bible clubs, and through this, discovered a passion within herself for working with children.
This Time is Enough
As the week progressed, this undertone of friendships independent of language or abilities seemed to seep into each and every heart.
Tecla: Art, Circumstance, and Identity
Tecla refuses to be merely a product of her circumstances but has taken ownership of her life and lives from her identity as a child of Christ. She expresses this contrast of circumstance and true identity in her art.
The Ripple Effect of Kindness
We had no idea what to expect, but we knew we weren’t committing to this alone. As our friends and family found out about the opportunity, they rallied around us and offered to help welcome Martin in any way they could. A member of our Connect group put it this way: “Your ‘yes’ is not just a ‘yes’ for you—it’s a ‘yes’ for our community.”
Plans to Give Hope
This year, the entirety of the offering collected at Candlelight Services will be given to One Lamb in Nairobi, Kenya. One Lamb began in 2011 when Ciru Mutura was called to meet the needs of vulnerable children. The organization works toward ending the exploitation of children due to poverty in their communities. One Lamb’s programs give these young girls resources and skills to benefit their lives while also sharing the truth of God’s grace and love.
A Piece in the Puzzle
When people ask me about my trip to the Dominican Republic, it’s hard to come up with a response that best fits the description I’d like to give. Most of the time I end up answering with “it was cool” or “it was super fun,” but these statements hardly cover all that I want to say.
Worthwhile
So maybe you’re thinking about joining a Summit team going to Africa this year. Or maybe you’re thinking about sponsoring a child. Or maybe you just find yourself thinking about Summit’s partnerships in Africa but you’re not exactly sure why.
Joy Down In My Heart
It feels impossible to express the joy the children of Ethiopia gifted me. It feels impossible to express the courage and strength of the women I now call sisters. It feels impossible to tell the story of how I flew across the world with 11 strangers and flew back with the only 11 people who will ever understand why I’ve got the joy down in my heart.