Dear Friends of Discover the World:

In this first 2013 edition of our newsletter, I would like for all of you to know how important it is to our ministry to build bridges of understanding between students, families and donors of all ages with the children we serve. As a priority commitment and highly-valued goal of our organization, short-term volunteerism in Kenya has become a significant way that many people of all ages can participate in work overseas, expand their understanding of global issues, and experience the amazing people of Africa up-close-and-personal. Since our first group traveled to Kenya in 2003 for a two-week encounter with the children of our first project (The Shepherds Home Children's Sanctuary), nearly 200 individuals have shared the extraordinary experience of hosting vacation bible schools, leading sports events, participating in work projects at schools and orphanages, and sharing in Christ-centered worship wherever we go.

A key individual who now coordinates DTW's short-term mission program is veteran Kenyan volunteer Christa Peitzman of La Canada. 

Mother to three gifted college girls, and 25-year spouse of a very talented entertainment professional, Christa has devoted a large portion of recent years to become certified and trained as a short-term mission leader. Through her efforts DTW has now joined a national board which sets standards for programs such as ours, ensuring that DTW provides "Excellence in Short-Term Mission Standards".

All this is in keeping with one of the Core Values established by our Board of Directors: "Building Bridges of Understanding" between our invaluable supporters and the children we serve in Kenya. I hope you will enjoy hearing from one of the two most recent volunteers below, who Christa helped equip for their journey. May God bless you, and please feel welcomed and invited to join us in a life-changing trip to Kenya.

Doug Millham

President  

Feature: Volunteers in Kenya
Two young adults, Jay Magsayo and Jesse Baldwin, who are friends of Discover the World, had been looking for a way to volunteer overseas with vulnerable children. They chose Shelter Children's Center, which is one of the orphanages we serve in Ngong, Kenya. They helped with the construction for the new boy's toilet and shower block for 3 weeks. Please read how this trip impacted Jay.

 

Kenya Experience by Jay Magsayo 

What led me to Kenya and what I took away from it?

Words can't explain the experience that I had at Mama Mary's in Kenya. It's one of those things that you just have to experience for yourself. Some know that feeling. Others I'd invite to take the leap.  "The most important things happen outside of our comfort zone."- Michael Hyatt.

  

With that said I'll do my best to explain. It's one of thee most fulfilling times I have ever had in my life. I've been blessed to travel on short-term mission trips to Haiti the past 4-5 years and it definitely prepared me for Kenya. I have a passion for helping/caring/working with kids and more of a drive to help ones less unfortunate then myself. So the last few years in Haiti I would go to an orphanage and help with whatever needed done at the time. A lot of the time spent was building relationships with the orphans. That grew into something bigger then I could imagine. My last trip to Haiti though was not enough for me, and I wanted to serve in a greater capacity then just a week. This is where God directed me to DTW and it played a huge role in guiding me to "Mama" Mary in Kenya.  To sum it up, they asked me to go and I didn't hesitate. 

I had the pleasure to be in Kenya  at "Mama" Mary's Shelter for 3 weeks and experienced much beauty while I was there. Each child has their own tragic story, but you couldn't  tell from all the joy and beautiful smiles they all have. When days w ere tough I would see a couple of kids smiling, playing and enjoying life and thought to myself it's not as tough as these children have had in the few years they've been alive. Their enjoyment put my small complaints behind me and put a smile on my face.  As much as I help them they help me a lot more then they know. 

3 weeks was not enough for me.

I'm planning to go back towards the end of the year for a longer period. God put it on my heart to help others and I intend to do that in Kenya or wherever He takes me.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27 NIV)
 

For more photos or our trip!

This month's focus is Bridge-building  

• Faith-based: We demonstrate God's love through faithful, obedient service to God and through meeting the needs of others.
• Transparent: Through our board and staff, we hold to the highest levels of accountability and integrity in all matters financial, contractual, relational or spiritual. We connect our supporters with the recipients of their funds and resources. Our work and our operations are accessible to all stakeholders - board, donors, sponsors and clients.
• Walk the Talk: We model truthfulness, tenderness, honesty, openness, compassion, and care in the delivery of our services.
• Advocates: Ours is a calling to provide hope and love to those with great need but limited resources.
• Bridge-Builders: In our efforts to connect resources to needs, we will strive to provide opportunities for personal relationships to be created and maintained between the various communities we serve. Through volunteer service and frequent communication, we will present the people of the USA to the people of other nations as compassionate, caring, and respectful partners in the journey to wholeness and self-sufficiency.
• Inclusive: We welcome partnerships with people from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
•  Effective: We evaluate our projects continually, seeking to produce results that reflect the intentions of our supporters, the needs of our clients, and the standards of our board.