The Shepherd's Home in Nairobi is about to dedicate a brand new soccer field!

 

It is located in the heart of one of Africa's poorest slums, near the site of recent political violence.

 

This field is designed to bring hope & peace to a generation of Children who have known very little of either. "The Dayspring Unity Sports Field" project connects Discover the World with the Los Angeles Futbol Club Chelsea, one of the premiere youth sports organizations in America. As the primary donor of Unity Sports Field, LAFC is ensuring that soccer, which is loved the world over, has a new place in Kenya at the Shepherd's Home.

 

On August 6, 2009 LAFC President Don Sheppard and four members of his team will be unveiling this new field. We are excited here at Discover the World to be joined by the generous donor from the Los Angeles Futbol Club for the occasion.

The day of great celebration will occur on commencement day at The Shepherd's Home where members of the Los Angeles Futbol Club will be putting on a free clinic for our sponsored children, followed by a friendly game of soccer!

We are so thankful for the assistance of the Los Angeles Futbol Club and their vision for a proper field and equipment for the children of Kenya; hundreds of whom will now have an opportunity for the first time of their lives to play soccer on a safe field... the only one of its kind in Nairobi. 

 As I sat this week putting my final pictures together from my trip to Kenya last October, I couldn't help but get teary eyed with emotions.  Yes, it has taken me nine months to finish this photo album, but looking back, I needed that long to process the amazing life changing experience that God allowed me to witness and be part of.
 
My connection with Discover The World (DTW) started way back in 2003 when a friend of mine, Grace Galton, invited me over to watch a video tape that she had just recently put together of Shepherd's Home.  Since that time, Bob (my husband) and I began sponsoring Philoice Kandogo in hopes that someday, I would actually get to meet her in person.
 
Unbeknownst to me, God had a master plan, and last October, Bob and I were able to travel with DTW and a team of adults from La Canada Presbyterian Church to Kenya. I had no idea what to expect, but when I met Philoice for the first time, my heart felt like it was going to explode with joy.  I couldn't believe that she was standing right in front of me after all these years!  It seemed so surreal.   Another way I was able to connect with the girls was by teaching them how to crochet a scarf, which allowed me to spend some individual time with them.  I will never forget the smiles on the girls' faces when our team returned the next day to find several of them wearing their finished scarves with such glowing pride and accomplishment.  This was truly my "God" moment of the trip.
 
My faith deepened as God stretched me in so many different ways, providing me with opportunities to build new relationships by connecting with children and adults in an environment that I had never experienced before.  It was humbling to see people that had so little, give so much.  Every day I was spiritually renewed through the passion the children expressed in their love for God and how deeply grateful they are for everything He provides to them.
 
I returned from this trip with a new perspective on life through the eyes of the children in Kenya.  The connections I made on this trip, both abroad and with our own team members, will be carried in my heart forever.              

Discover the World joins a growing number of churches and evangelical organizations across America, supported by over 35 million donors that have earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization becomes an ECFA member, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.

 

ECFA Membership is based on the "ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship", including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fund-raising.

 

"We are pleased to include in our membership a ministry committed to connecting the resouces of a compassionate workd to the needs of vulnerable children," said Dan Busby, president of ECFA.