Starting today, we are going to share the experiences of the team from Minnesota that just returned from a two week trip to the Brydges Centre.

We know that not everyone who loves and supports the children and the Centre has an opportunity to visit. So strap in and enjoy this first message about what it is like!

10 People With 900+ Pounds Of Blessings For The Children

Before we share about everyTHING we brought, let’s talk about everyONE who came to the MSP Airport to embark on this adventure.

Through the years, hundreds people have come to the Brydges Centre for many different reasons. Friends of Bob and Nancy’s that have received loving (and incessant) invitations, people that bring a skill or expertise Rosemary Wafula has identified as a need, business leaders, health care providers, teachers, pastors, farmers, tradespeople, consultants, retirees, and kids… everyone can find a place at the Brydges Centre.

Starting in the summer and fall of 2024, many people reached out to Bob and Nancy Brydges or to trip leader Gretchen Stevenson to learn about visiting the Centre. Following informational meetings and a review of our website and other resources, this team formed about four months before the trip date.

From left to right: Lu, The Larsons (Anna, Gavin, Isaac, Dan, Emma), Katia, Gretchen Stevenson, Erika, and Mark Stevenson.

As you can see, the March 2025 team brought a variety of ages and perspectives! We were blessed to have healthcare providers in Lu and Katia who are longtime friends that originally hail from Brazil, the Larson family who own and operate a number of youth soccer programs in the USA called Soccer Shots, Erika, an HR professional with a huge heart for children’s needs, and Gretchen and Mark Stevenson, board members of the Brydges Centre USA.

Before long, Gretchen as trip leader knew we had a special mix of skills that included:

  • First aid training for teachers and children
  • Launching a full-service soccer camp for the BC children
  • Cooking classes for the Brydges Centre Skills Institute students and instructors (Ravioli Kenya style!)
  • Dedicated Sunday school teachers and assistants
  • An amateur photographer to capture the trip to tell the story

The Art Of Packing: Computers, Soccer Equipment, Shoes, First Aid Supplies, Crafts, and Band Instruments

This is where the 900 pounds of blessings come into play. During a packing party a week before the trip, we loaded up 10 laptop computers donated by Rockpoint Church in Minnesota for the BC School, 30+ pairs of brand-new shoes, all the equipment to run a soccer camp for 100 children (jerseys, training cones, small foldable goals, 60 balls, awards), numerous teaching materials, a brass section (two trumpets, a saxophone and a slide trombone!) medical items, and even some fun toys and games.

Team members committed to packing nearly all personal items in carry-ons so all 18 checked bags could bring these needed blessings to the BC kids. Yes, this takes some prioritization and innovation!

We are happy to report that everything got through Kenya’s customs and into the appreciative hands of the BC staff and children.

Arrival At The Brydges Centre

One of the best ways to get over jet lag is to arrive at the Brydges Centre and to be welcomed by Rosemary, her staff, and most importantly, the CHILDREN. This is such a special welcome, that we are only going to share some of the details so we don’t spoil it for those of you that will come in the future.

More on that in our next message, so stay tuned!