The March 2025 Team Brought Love AND Talent!

This is the fourth message about what Brydges Centre visitor’s teams experience. If you missed the last one about the team’s visit to the Kibera slum, you can read it here.

Through the years, people have asked, “What do you actually do on trips to the Brydges Centre?” While many short-term missions trips involve construction projects or other kinds of hands-on work, trips to the Centre include a variety of serving opportunities.

The first thing we emphasize is that building relationships is some of the best “doing” work there is! Kenyan culture is focused on relationship and the kids at the Brydges Centre love to connect with everyone who comes.

Hanging out, playing games, doing crafts, talking about Jesus, or sharing favorite Bible verses are just a few examples of building relationships. Plus, you automatically get the title “Auntie” or “Uncle” just to let you know you are a valued member of the family the moment you arrive.

But, this team did more… a whole lot more!

Your Passions and Talents = Your Best Service

Each team brings unique passions and gifts to serve at the Brydges Centre.

The March team brought biblical teaching, first aid instruction, cooking lessons, and an ENTIRE Soccer camp!

THE LARSON FAMILY

The Larson family brought their soccer skills and all of the equipment, training resources, and awards needed to run an incredible multi-day event. Dan and Anna own a business called Soccer Shots in Minnesota and in other states in the US. Their passion and love for the children came through loud and clear and we can’t thank them enough for what they did.

The children were able to cultivate new skills and to learn about teamwork and working together. Then, the leadership and staff at the Centre surprised the whole Larson family as well.

Taking everything they learned and the equipment they were gifted, they decided to launch “The Brydges Centre Soccer Academy!”

The new BCSA – The Brydges Centre Soccer Academy – is now up and running!

The Soccer Academy will serve the children at the Brydges Centre and the surrounding community – what an amazing opportunity for everyone!

LU AND KATIA

Lu and Katia are long-time friends and career nurses. Both brought the skills, love and expertise needed to teach students and staff first aid skills. And, as you might expect with a soccer camp going on simultaneously, those skills had immediate and practical application! Lu and Katia also worked with the girls of the Brydges Centre family, focused on girls and young women’s health.

They brought medical supplies they gathered from a variety of sources back home so the Centre’s first aid infirmary was well-stocked to serve the needs of all the children. The energy and life these two (originally from Brazil) brought to everything they did was amazing!

ERIKA

Erika was our teacher’s assistant and “jump-in-on-everything specialist.” Whenever there was learning going on at Sunday school or fun being had on the school playground, there you’d find Erika. Her spirit and energy didn’t just serve the kids, she was the positive power source for the whole team!

While many team members sat down for a break, Erika was typically off with the children playing games, having fun, talking, and praying with them. Auntie Erika fully lived up to her new name!

GRETCHEN

Gretchen Stevenson was our trip leader and she also led a women’s retreat for over 250 women from near and far. Gretchen is a women’s pastor and ministry leader with a special calling to help girls and women understand their true value and worth in Jesus Christ.

Rosemary Wafula’s heart for women and the community needs made this event a special way the Brydges Centre can serve others beyond the children. This year’s conference focused on being deeply rooted in Christ and many women responded by making new or deeper commitments to following Jesus.

KEVIN

Kevin Block, a pastor at Rockpoint Church in Minnesota, led a men’s retreat with over 100 attendees from near and far as well. Kevin facilitated interactive sessions focused on the gospel of grace from the book of Galatians and the realities men in Kenya face in serving others and lifting up women in their cultural context.

About a week later, Rosemary let Kevin know 19 children and staff from the Centre wanted to be baptized and he was honored to lead that service as well. What a blessing that was to witness!

YOUR Service To The Brydges Centre Family

Serving at the Centre is about investing in the ways God has uniquely gifted and called visitors to bring whatever they have to share.

The blessing visitors receive is to bring home the gifts and love everyone at the Centre GIVES THEM in return! Lives on both sides of the relationship are changed forever.

Supporting the Brydges Centre with your financial gifts and prayers “fuels” the life change you see in this message. You can also consider whether a trip to the Centre is something to consider for yourself! Please visit this page to learn more about it and to get in contact with us.

We are so grateful for everyone who came on the March trip and for each one of you who partners with us in the mission to change the lives of children in Kenya.

With Love,
Bob, Nancy, Rosemary, The BC Staff, the Children, and the US Volunteers