Short-term trips with Kensington are the experience of a lifetime! Most of our international trips bring you into the work and community of one of our beloved global partners, while other trips offer a special educational and empathy-building experience.
We asked eight people, who recently returned from a trip, to share their thoughts with the rest of our community. The overwhelming theme? Go! Yes, you!
Question 1: What was the most memorable moment from your trip?
Kenya
I’ll never forget the first time I saw the church gather and worship in Kenya…while they sang, it was like God spoke to my heart through the immense hope and joy that I saw in their eyes. To them, church was something that they’d go out of their way for…it’s hard – people walk for many miles over rugged terrain under the hot sun – and it takes an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice…My trip to Kenya gave me a fresh vision for what I believe Jesus desires for the Church.
-Joel Leipprandt, Traverse City Lead Pastor
Nepal
Of all the mission trips I’ve been on, this one feels so different. So personal. Never before have I had the experience of hearing someone recount the worst moments of abuse and terror in their life and then sit side by side later on laughing and working with them. It was hard to focus on the task when all I wanted to do was hug them and cry. These young women are so strong and so vulnerable at the same time.
– Shannon Sloane, Kensington Staff & Co-Owner of Ring True
It was such a blessing to see the girls that graduated from the cosmetology training program in 2019 [now] working in their own salons. We were able to hear about their experiences and provide them some additional training that will help them grow their businesses even more. Even though I’m not a cosmetologist, I shared the love of God as I loved on the girls that we worked with.
– Karen Nicholas, Retired Kensington Staff
I was able to see all of the incredible things our partners are doing to eradicate gender-based violence, support young girls and women in education, skill training, and human trafficking reform. My most memorable moment…was being able to meet the young girl, Sushma, who my husband and I sponsor [through Kensington’s NoChild]. Being able to hear about her life and experiences, as well as seeing the change of the community where she goes to school is something that I will never forget.
– Caitlin Borg, NoChild Admin.
Israel/Palestine
The most memorable moment was visiting the church of the Beatitudes and ironically being locked in a hotel quarantining in Jerusalem with several men on the trip. It was the perfect combination for an ultimate faith-building experience.
– Bradford Jones, Trip Attender
Looking back at my recent trip to the Holy Land…the time we spent in Galilee had the biggest impact on me. Sitting at the northern top of Mount Arbel and looking down the valley to the west down to Nazareth and following that to the coast of the Sea of Galilee at Magdala then following the coastline 6 miles to Capernaum THEN realizing that this is the path that Jesus walked! To realize that I am in the same space as Jesus Christ. I still get chills thinking about this.
– Jim Henkel, Trip Attender
Asian American Civil Rights Tour
A friend of mine who is Asian American came on the trip with me. He told me toward the end of the week that one of the reasons he came was because he wanted to know why all of this Asian American “stuff” (i.e. issues of history, identity and justice) were so important to me. Then he told me, “now I’m beginning to understand.”
– Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor
U.S./Mexico Border Trip
The pain that emanated from this woman and her small child was so deep that even now, months later, I feel a physical weight on my chest and it becomes difficult to take a deep breath. Her eyes were so sad, her face crestfallen and I could only imagine what she had witnessed and experienced…What am I to do for this woman that goes beyond simply observing the pain that she is in? Almost right at that moment, I observed that the little toddler did not have socks. And a thought came in my head – maybe God placed me here to do the next best thing for this family and in that exact moment it was to find clean socks for this little girl.
– Jessie Forster, Trip Attender
Question 2: How did you experience God during the trip?
Israel/Palestine
I had anticipated that my faith journey would jump a couple notches however that’s not what happened. My faith journey has been transformed, in a spectacular way, beyond anything that I had imagined.
– Jim Henkel, Trip Attender
Kenya
There’s a pastor there who is working with unreached people groups. He felt the call of God to go…work in this region but it meant he had to leave his wife and kids behind. He only sees them a few days every month…The passion of him and his family for those who don’t know Jesus was a reflection to me of how much Jesus loves those who don’t know him. How he leaves the 99 to go after the 1.
– Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor
Nepal
Our partner organization in Nepal has rescued over 11,500 girls out of the hands of traffickers. [At Ring True,] we are honored to be working alongside them to offer skills training and jobs to these young women. Our goal is to build a new training center for the girls who choose jewelry making as their trade so they can have a dedicated safe place to live and train. We’ll keep you posted on this goal as we continue to grow!
– Shannon Sloan, owner of Ring True
At one of the safe houses where our Global Partner operates, we were with some young girls…many had experienced severe gender-based violence and were survivors of human trafficking. We were able to share our stories of faith…and extremely sensitive and life changing stories and pray together. We all bonded as women in that moment, and I immediately felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with us, and it is an experience I will always hold dear to my heart.
– Caitlin Borg, NoChild Admin.
Question 3: What would you say to someone considering a short-term trip?
Israel/Palestine
I’d encourage you to be very vulnerable with God and the people you travel with on this trip. It will unlock your heart in a profound way. Also, dissect scripture on the journey of the sites you see. There will be some powerful connections that you make from being on the grounds.
– Bradford Jones, Trip Attender
I have 5 kids and work as a nurse and I wasn’t sure how I was going to earn enough money to cover the trip expenses. At the first meeting, I learned about support letters, and sent one to everyone I knew. God provided the exact amount of money I needed…when I arrived in Israel, there was an overwhelming sense that God had “my back” all along and this is where I’m supposed to be right now.
-Jackie Novak, Trip Attender
Kenya
If you ever have a chance to go on a short-term trip, do it. Not only will it fuel and encourage the work being done there, it will also open your eyes, put a spark in your heart, and inspire you in your faith journey.
-Joel Leipprandt, Traverse City Lead Pastor
Nepal
Everyone has something to offer on a short-term trip. If you are feeling nudged to go on a trip, don’t hesitate. God is calling you to an experience that will grow you and expand your worldview. You will see the kingdom of God in a beautiful new way.
– Karen Nicholas, Retired Kensington Staff
If you’re considering a short-term trip…GO FOR IT! It will change your life. Go and be the hands and feet of Jesus to people around the world who are facing some of the harshest daily realities and bring love and comfort to them when they need it the most. I used to always think that God would have no use for me. I’m not a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, a CEO, but I have come to know that God chose ME to be on that trip…He has given us all unique gifts and talents to use to spread love around the world and pass along the hope of Jesus. The God of the Universe knows what He is doing, and he wants to use YOU. He picks YOU!
– Caitlin Borg, NoChild Admin.
Asian American Civil Rights Tour
Come! You will have your God view and worldview expanded.
– Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor
U.S./Mexico Border Trip
When we experience pain and brokenness of this world – as we are called to love those on the margins – God’s call to us is two-fold: (1) to open ourselves up to see Him in each person we encounter and (2) to ask Him what is the next best thing we can do in this moment? The answer will likely be simple. It will likely come with little fanfare. It will be humble – maybe even as humble as a pair of socks, a soccer ball, and daily whispered prayers. But, the willingness to step in – to do that one next best thing – carries with it the power of the Holy Spirit to move, to chip through the brokenness, and to bring God’s love and restoration.
– Jessie Forster, Trip Attender
Are you ready? Information and upcoming trips at kensingtonchurch.org/go. Want to share your experience from a Kensington trip? Leave us a message at kensingtonchurch.org/story.