There was culture shock, a new language to learn and eye-opening moments, but a group of Prince George teenagers had the experience of a lifetime with a recent trip to Africa.
Eleven teenaged girls between the ages of 15 and 17 spent 18 days in Nairobi, Kenya, on a mission with Lakewood Alliance Church in August.
Headed by youth pastor Amy Dobson, the excursion was the first piece of the church's five-year commitment to the Tamani Orphanage to improve the quality of life for the facilities' young female residents.
Despite an exhausting voyage to the African country, the spirits of the teenagers and their four adult chaperones were lifted as soon as they reached their destination.
"The kids [at the orphanage] were all holding a sign that said 'Welcome home. We love you,'" recalled Dobson.
The group's days were split between entertaining children at the orphanage with games, stories and the toys and candy they brought along from Canada or leading a kid's program for 100 youngsters at the the church.
The Canadian group also planted fruit trees, so that by the time the next team from Lakewood travels in February, they will be able to have avocados, oranges and peaches to feed the kids as well as to sell.
Everyday on their 10-minute walk from their guesthouse to the orphanage, Dobson said the group got to see the environment change as they crossed into the slums.
"We were watching life change as we went into the slums and how the teenagers reacted to that," Dobson said. "It was very non-judgmental, but realizing we have way more than we need."
A lifelong bond has been created between the two groups of young people, who will soon get to have a Skype session with each other.
"Our hearts got left there and we brought back some with us," Dobson said.
A new set of hearts will be in danger of getting left behind in February when a team of 10 men make the journey to Nairobi to build a wall to surround the church.
Team member Jason Morris said the 18,000-brick cinderblock wall will be a key element to protect the facility. "Kenya isn't the safest place right now [since engaging in war with Somalia]," he said.
Having never undertaken a mission, Morris said he was prompted to take part
"Part of being a Christian is doing missionary work," said the UNBC political science professor, adding it wasn't enough to just help out in one's own community. "You also have to think of helping people in other parts of the world."
The group is still fundraising for their trip, aiming to pull together about $50,000 to cover their travel expenses, building materials and wages for unemployed Kenyans to help with the construction.
While Morris said he's hoping to return from the 2012 trip with a physical wall completed, he's also looking forward to building more than that.
"I hope to come back with the other men on this trip closer together and to be leaders in the church and the community," Morris said.
