When a mission experience is truly life changing

Kenny was encouraged to not use the term “life-changing” too loosely; the true meaning of the phrase can get lost, his hosts said, unless you take deliberate steps to change your life when you get home.

And so, after a life-changing experience as a “non-traditional" CMF intern in Kenya with CMF’s ministry partners at Missions of Hope International (MOHI) for a summer, he sought to do the phrase justice.

While still in his late 40s, Kenny was in a unique situation as a recently retired firefighter who then took over a home inspector business from a friend. This new career provided extra income, yet it was flexible enough to be a very present father and even take his family to Kenya for 6 weeks.

A year later, the whole family came back for a visit, and the ministry team recently asked them about their reentry back home after the internship. Kenny shared how impacted he was by the intern debrief trip to the coast where they discussed the true meaning of the term “life changing.” So, when he returned home, Kenny was so inspired by his experiences at MOHI that he felt he needed to do something with more impact. He gave up the security of his second career, sold his beloved new retirement truck, and became an Uber driver.

When people get into his Uber, Kenny politely lets them know that the proceeds from their ride will go to help needy kids in Kenya go to a loving school, be fed, and even provide access to medical care for their families and economic opportunities for their parents.

He leaves it at that to be respectful, but most customers are intrigued and start asking questions about the ministry and his family’s experiences in Kenya. This often leads to powerful spiritual conversations and opportunities to pray together. At their destination he offers printed cards with instructions on how to sponsor kids at MOHI if they are interested. Lives are being transformed through these divine (Uber) appointments – God is truly using this ministry to transform the lives of Kenyan children as well as American Christians!