It Begins.
If you are reading this, then you are here to hear about my missions trip to Kenya. Every post here will be about my journey to Kenya, including what God is teaching me (even as I am preparing to go), how far I have come in the sponsorship aspect of the trip, adventures I go on etc. Let’s first hear about the incredible work that God has been doing to prepare me for this trip.
I knew that I wanted to be a missionary, though I didn’t really know where. I was thinking more towards South America, on the sole factor that I know the Spanish language. When I was looking into going to places like Guatemala and Brazil, my heart simply didn’t feel full, something was missing. So I thought maybe towards Africa. I was searching for some kind of confirmation that Africa was the place for me, when I ran into a friend whom I havent seen in 6 years. I told him my story and my thoughts of Africa, and his immediate response was to talk to this man he knows from his church. This church man goes by the name of Steven Mbogo. He is the founder of an orphanage called ByGrace Trust Orphanage in Ngog, Kenya. I was obviously very excited because children’s ministry is something that I have always loved and have a passion for. I even do children’s ministry here in La Mirada at my home church of Grace EV Free of La Mirada. I immediately went back to look for the place online. I found their website and my heart started beating faster, I was pumped. So I emailed Steven and after several weeks of emailing, we were both excited for my future with the orphanage. He asked me to come to a meeting that was being held at the university that I go to. It was a meeting for the people who were going on a short term missions trip to Kenya this summer. While at this meeting I found out that one of the things that the orphanage has been praying for was a coach to come and teach them how to play sports right. For those of you who do not know, I am a coaching minor. I have been trained and taken multiple classes on how to teach children to play soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, swimming, tennis, swimming, and of course water polo. Once I told them this they said “Praise the Lord” and I knew this was the place for me. Literally a couple sentences later they said that they have been praying that someone could come in and play guitar with the children and help teach them to be in a band/dance. Well, I raised my hand and exclaimed that I have played guitar for 5 years, and have helped lead worship in other countries like Mexico. Steven came up to me afterwards and told me that he thinks I am an answer to their prayers. I almost broke down and cried right there. God knew from the get go that I was going to be going to Kenya, He has been preparing my heart and preparing a path for me. I cannot wait for my time in Kenya.
It will be hard to leave everything that I know and love here, for instance my water polo team that I coach. I havent taken a vacation or time away from them in 2 years, and I am leaving for 5 months. I know it will be hard but God has me through all things. I am constantly reminded of God’s amazing sovereignty over everything. Our God is great! Keep checking this page every week for weekly updates about fundraising, sponsorship and my time in Kenya
God Bless,
Josh Grossman
