In His Perfect Timing: Payton’s Journey to Kenya with REACH
Payton Jacob’s journey to Kenya as a REACH intern began with a simple connection—her home church’s close relationship with CMF missionaries Joel and Rachel Williams. Initially, Payton planned to serve as an intern in 2024, but when that didn’t work out, she encouraged a friend to take the opportunity instead. That friend had an incredible experience and came back saying, “Payton, you have to go.”
Payton first became interested in a REACH internship after meeting Joel and Rachel during one of their furloughs. “I’d always had a heart for missions and a strong desire to experience missions in a longer-term context,” she shared. “When I heard about the ministry Joel and Rachel are part of, it sounded so effective and beautiful.”
Through her church, First Christian Church in Champaign, Illinois—where her mom serves on staff—Payton connected with the Williams family. She considered going the summer after meeting them, but the timing wasn’t right. Instead, her friend Caite stepped in. “It was amazing to see how the Lord made it possible for her to go at the last minute,” Payton said. “But I never stopped having the same desire to go.”
The following summer, Payton applied and was accepted. “I’m so thankful I was able to go in His perfect timing,” she said. Caite’s stories only deepened her desire, and Payton felt God confirming that His timing was best. “He wanted Caite to go when she did, and He wanted me to go when I did.”
One of the highlights of Payton’s experience was her team. “My teammates—Payton, Karilla, Emmerey, and Becca—were amazing,” she said. “It couldn’t have been clearer that the Lord orchestrated us to be together. We were all so different, but each carried beautiful aspects of His character. Our stories and personalities were unique, yet we bonded and grew in ways only the Holy Spirit could have planned.”
Payton, a student at Illinois Wesleyan University studying elementary education, says the experience shaped her faith and future. “I’m still not sure what’s next, but I know the Lord convicted me and taught me in ways that were formative,” she said. “The model of discipleship I saw—simply doing what Jesus did, the way He did it—is something I’ve started applying as a college student. I’m surrounded by people every day that I’m called to love and disciple. I know this for certain, and I’m continuing to pray about what life after undergrad may look like.”
Are you interested in a REACH internship in 2026? Applications are now open! Explore more at cmfi.org/reach.