My Trip to Kenya

There are some trips you take that become memories.

And then there are trips that change the way you see the world.

My recent journey to Kenya was one of those.

Through my nonprofit, JJ's I'm Me Foundation, we partnered with another incredible Houston nonprofit to take 11 teenage girls on a service trip they will never forget. My prayer was that these young women would see a bigger world, experience a different culture, and understand that compassion grows when we step outside of our own comfort.

One of the most meaningful days of our trip was visiting Wire Girls School in Oyugis, Kenya. Together, we celebrated the opening of a new computer lab and "The Care Cabinet," filled with feminine hygiene products and personal care items for the students.

One of the sweetest moments of the day was watching our girls finally meet the pen pals they had been writing to for the past six months. What began as letters across continents became hugs, laughter, and instant friendships. They exchanged handmade gifts, shared stories about their lives, and discovered that even though they grew up in different parts of the world, they had so much in common. We also had the opportunity to host an interactive etiquette workshop led by one of our team members, where the girls learned practical skills like networking, conversation, and dining etiquette. It may seem like a small thing, but we believe these young women have bright futures ahead of them.

 

It was beautiful.

But what I didn't expect was how much the students would teach us.

The girls at Wire Girls wake up every morning at 3:30 a.m. Their school day begins at 4:30 a.m. and doesn't end until 7:00 p.m., with only two breaks throughout the day.

Every morning, each girl is given just two scoops of water to bathe.

Ninety girls share one dormitory.

As I watched our girls from Houston quietly take all of this in, I could almost see something shifting inside them. They were realizing, in real time, just how different life can look depending on where you're born.

And yet...

What I remember most wasn't what they lacked.

It was their joy.

Their smiles were so genuine. Their gratitude was contagious.

 

Kenya reminded me that joy has never depended on possessions.

One part of the trip that deeply impacted me was learning why The Care Cabinet matters so much.

For many girls in parts of Kenya, not having access to feminine hygiene products means they miss school every month while on their menstrual cycle. But it goes even deeper than missing class.

When girls stay home, many become vulnerable to sexual assault.

This broke my heart.

What seemed like a simple hygiene project became something far greater. Those products provide education, opportunity, and in many cases, protection.

It reminded me that sometimes the smallest acts of generosity have the biggest impact.

In the middle of our trip, we spent two unforgettable days in the Maasai Mara.

Of course, seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and countless other animals in their natural habitat was breathtaking.

We also met the Maasai Mara tribe.

Before arriving, I knew very little about their culture. I certainly didn't know many of them were Christians.

 

As they welcomed us into their village, they shared the story of how the Gospel came to their community and pointed toward the church where they now worship together. Hearing their testimony reminded me that God's family truly stretches across every nation, language, and culture.

They also taught us about their way of life.

 

One fact that amazed me was learning that the women build the homes. We watched girls as young as eight and ten years old helping construct houses alongside the women in their community. The responsibility they carried at such young ages was incredible to witness.

As the trip continued, I found myself noticing things I stopped appreciating years ago.

Clean water.

Electricity.

A refrigerator full of food.

A comfortable bed.

Privacy.

Simple conveniences.

It made me realize how often gratitude fades when comfort becomes routine.

More than anything, I hope the girls who traveled with us carry that lesson home. I hope they remember the faces they met more than the photos they took. I hope they remember the conversations, the resilience, the joy, and the perspective this experience gave them.

 

One of the greatest gifts of this trip was sharing it with my daughter.

Together we prayed with people, handed out devotionals and Christian books, and had conversations about Jesus with anyone who wanted to know Him more.

We traveled across the world hoping to make a difference.

Instead, God used the people of Kenya to change us.

And for that, I will be forever grateful.