Oneal Thomas preaches at one of the churches  in a neighborhood in Mombasa. (Photo by  George Johnson Jr.)

During the day, the volunteer missionaries have worked in the communities on specific projects in orphanages and a medical clinic. After the projects are completed each day, the volunteers are divided into various churches for evening revival services. There, the missionaries participate in preaching, singing, scripture reading and praying. Along with Pollard, preachers for the Kenya excursion include Aisha Allsop, LETC coordinator; Bright Baah, sophomore theology major; Gerard St. Hilaire, MAPS student; Kimberly Pearson, assistant chaplain; and Oneal Thomas, sophomore business management and theology major.

Tori Allen reads to a group of children who live  at the Canaan Orphanage. (Photo by Ronald  Pollard)

Yesterday's mission activity centered around the 30 children who live at the Canaan Orphanage in Mombasa, Kenya. At this facility, the volunteers helped to wash clothes, prepared veggies to be cooked, mopped floors, helped with educational lessons, as well as giving bathes.

Nitisha Dunlap assists in the classroom at the  Canaan Orphanage. (Photo by Ronald Pollard)

Every evening, the student and faculty missionaries are given time to journal their reflections of that day's activities based on a reflection question. The questions are causing the missionaries to look more at their spiritual walks and how they could be strengthened. Tuesday's reflection stated: If I lived in the circumstances of the place I am serving this week, how would that impact my faith?

Here are a few responses from the missionaries:

"I think I would have a lot of questions about God's love towards me and my life, however, this doubt could diminish the more I prayed to Him and read His word." - Bright Baah, sophomore theology major

"My faith would be real and raw and not so much commercialized or entertainment-based because the churches here have so little that they are forced to be authentic." - Kandace Clark, sophomore marketing major

"My faith would have to be stronger in order to live in these circumstances." - Tori Allen, sophomore political science major

"While serving at the Canaan Orphanage, I immediately felt sorry for the children because of their living conditions. If I were one of the children there I know that would constantly be reminded of rejection. My faith would grow because I would witness first hand that someone loves me enough to select me and call me their own." - Pecolia Desmuke, senior nursing major

"I believe I might be less closer to God. I would possibly be unhappy with how my life was because of the poor living environment conditions." - Nitisha Dunlap, junior elementary education major

"I would have to have hope that there is life beyond what my eyes can see." - Caleb Miles, senior psychology major

"If I lived in a orphanage, I would have a dire need for love like none before. I would love for someone to tell me and show me the love of God. Love is so important to have and to feel." - Alyce Hendricks, junior nursing major

"I feel my faith would be stronger because I would have to rely on God for everything." - Oneal Thomas, sophomore business management and theology major

Stay tuned to next week's edition of insideOakwood for more news from the 4HIM Kenya mission excursion.