Ambassadors of Hope | 2025 Hoops for Hope Trip to Kenya
- Christian Clark
- Aug 12
- 23 min read
Updated: Aug 14
WACO TX (August 12th, 2025)- I've always believed that life is more rewarding and purposeful when you live your life for something larger than yourself. My heart for missions has been evident in my life. Since moving to Waco, Texas two years ago and taking a chance on life, moving away from the East Coast, the Lord has transformed my life in ways I never expected. One of those ways has been through sports ministry.
Since January 2024, I have had the privilege of being a lead coach for the 'Hoops Huddle' missions at Highland Baptist Church, which serves under a larger umbrella organization, 'Hoops for Hope International.' I have used my athletic gifts and my love for teaching and leading youth to become a key contributor of this program.
However, one of the main opportunities every summer with 'Hoops' is an opportunity to "Teach Basketball with a mission of Hope" internationally. I knew that this summer I desired to go on a trip with the help of support and prayers from my friends and family. Nairobi, Kenya stood out to me for reasons I can't quite put into words. I love travel, teaching, children, basketball, and the Gospel so why not embark on a special mission?
In my POV story of 'Ambassador of Hope,' you'll get a chance to step into the Huddle of a "Hoops for Hope" trip and see how God is at work in the lives of children and teens everywhere, thanks to the help of a few faithful servants who sacrificed some of their life to make this opportunity possible in Africa.
Meet the Team
I'm going to use basketball positions to bring this story to life. We didn't have 'positions' during Hoops but these imaginary positions will help give you a vision on the team dynamic and how everyone's role made everything click. I will also add what I believe their spiritual gift is.
Ronny Boles [Head Coach]- Our strong and fearless leader. Ronny helped stabilized a group where only a quarter of us had been on a Hoops International Trip before. Steady and humble as they come, Ronny was able to bring perspective, transparency, and leadership that we all needed to enable us to carry out our roles this week and bring joy and hope to the people of Nairobi this week. Coach Boles, having coached in the past, it's no surprise that he grabs the HC spot here.
Spiritual Gift: Leadership | You can't fake being a leader. You'll be exposed pretty quickly if you do. The one advice that Ronny had for our team during our final 'Face of Hoops' session of the trip was to be an effective leader, you just need to 'be yourself' and Ronny did that and more. So thankful for leaders that I can trust.
Speedy Wible [General Manager]- The role of the GM in sports is to put everyone in the organization in the best place to succeed. Speedy, who has been on a dozen Hoops trips already, brought a perspective that we all needed. None of us had been to Kenya, except for Speedy. Like a sensei in martial arts, we all were blessed to learn from a veteran.
Spiritual Gift: Wisdom | As he proclaimed, "I want to do this until I'm in a wheelchair." Having the wisdom and insight that he provides as well as a call to serve for the rest of his life is something we should all strive to emulate.
Emilie Mena [Point Guard]- A point guard is arguably the most important position in basketball. The #1 must have great court vision, initiate the play, score when necessary and create opportunities for others on the court to thrive. Her spiritual wisdom and love for the campers was constantly on display and I really admired that up close and afar. Although she hadn't really played basketball, she impressed me by how quickly she picked up the drills and games as well as delivering smiles to the 'Purple Team' ladies.
Spiritual Gift: Teaching | Emilie told me in our van on the way to the Jomo Kenyatta airport that her spiritual gift is hospitality. I'm going to add another one to the list. Working with her with 'Team Purple' at site #1, I was blown away by her ability to get the young girl campers to quickly memorize Bible verses and corresponding hand motions. That takes talent.
Trey Mena [Shooting Guard]- In a basketball game, the shooting guard's role is to take shots, make 'em, and bring the energy. Trey always brought the excitement and brought life and love to all the campers this week. He'll always make you laugh and lightened the mood when we were tired or lagging. To take on a mission trip just a month before getting married on Sept. 6th takes selflessness and we certainly needed his presence and chill demeanor.
Spiritual Gift: Exhortation | As a coach, you HAVE to be able to inspire and motivate others. Every time I was watching a drill with Trey, the campers were locked in and focused on the task at hand. To believe in those you coach is key for any successful program.
Jake Vance [Small Forward]- The do-it-all 'Swiss Army Knife.' A small forward has to do a bit of everything and Jake has a great balance of excitement, calmness, fun, and execution that we all needed. A late addition to the team after the Ghana Hoops Trip was canceled last minute. I was so blessed to have Jake join the squad. We had worked together on Team Orange at Highland Hoops Huddle for the last year so I was thrilled to see his name pop up before the trip was finalized.
Spiritual Gift: Prophecy | I always know that Jake is going to have a great word about the Lord. I had the pleasure of rooming with him at the Utalii Hotel in Kenya during the trip. It makes sense because he's currently studying at Truett Seminary at Baylor.
Bennet Beckering [Power Forward]- At the PF position, you must ALWAYS protect the rim. Bennet was able to have the ability to read the hearts of the campers and the Hoops team really effectively. Proud of how he stepped up time and time again.
Spiritual Gift: Exhortation | Out of all the people this week, Bennet was always there to encourage me on days when I needed to get some energy in my bones from an exhausting and I'm so blessed to have had him on the squad.
Caleb Beckering [Center]- He's the anchor of the group. He's strong, tall, and commands a room. Without a reliable center in basketball, it's difficult to win many games. While this camp wasn't about "winning," he's winning at life. It's hard to see the camp going as well as it did without Caleb's spiritual wisdom and his on-the-court prowess. This man can talk to anyone. I wish I had this gift but alas props to Caleb for how mature he is spiritually.
Spiritual Gift: Faith | There's honestly a few choices I could put here but I'm going to say faith. When Caleb talks about the Lord, it's powerful and evident that God is at work constantly in his life. From the devotional to our conversations throughout the week, he's an awesome dude.
Myself [The Sixth Man]- There are no "bench players" on this Hoops for Hope team but the role of a 'sixth man' is to be a stable presence and brought in to spark the offense when it's needed. Most of you already know who I am but for those that don't, here you go. I'm not someone that is going to be someone I'm not and fake my personality. You'll rarely catch me unprepared and my UNC studying habits came into play on this trip. My favorite saying: "Don't be afraid of the moment, be the moment."
Spiritual Gift: Discernment | The majority of our group was pretty extroverted, so that played in my favor for my typically softer demeanor. I have to conserve my energy or else my social battery will burn out. Through discernment, I was able to hang out behind the scenes, listen to stories, and absorb subtle cues from the group. When the group was tired, I was able to adapt to the situation and bring the excitement...and of course my signature dancing to the campers.
Daily Journal
Day 1- Friday, August 1st, 2025
The bags were packed. The PTO (paid time off) was scheduled. The excitement was mounting. Now it was time to make the near 8,800 mile (14,162km) trip to Nairobi from Waco, Texas.
Our call time was 5:30 p.m. at Highland Baptist. Ronny Boles, our leader, and I were meeting there before heading to Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Since I live close to the church, I decided to walk with my bags. It probably looked a little ridiculous, but it was good exercise and honestly kind of fun. We met Pastor Wible at the Wellness Center before loading our Hoops for Hope backpacks and carry-ons into the truck.
On the drive to DFW, it briefly rained on i-35, causing a slight slowdown. However, I knew this brief rainstorm was going to be a great omen for the trip for this reason: a rainbow shot up in the sky, one of God's true promises.
We made it to the airport in good time and met up with Caleb and Bennet Beckering, who had just wrapped up their internship earlier that day. If the trip had started even one day sooner, they probably wouldn’t have been able to make it.
We were three hours early for our flight, but Qatar Airways quickly put that cushion to the test. Their carry-on policy allowed only 15 pounds total for both a carry-on and a personal item, which seemed almost impossible. We ended up paying an extra $400 to get all our bags checked. Ugh.
Regardless, we breezed through security and waited for our late-night boarding time for our flight to Doha, the first of two long flights en route to Nairobi. While in line to board, we met a man named Sammy who was also traveling to Nairobi. He was joyful and kind, the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at ease. We didn’t know it yet, but his spirit was a perfect preview of what we would experience from so many Kenyans: joyful, caring, and loving. Soon after, we boarded the plane and embarked on our 14.5 hour flight. Day one was complete.
Day 2
Day 2 was quite the experience. We went from the darkness of Dallas to the darkness of Doha, Qatar, thanks to the time zone change. Even though we had flown for over half a day, we didn't see the light. Okay, that sounds ominous...but you know what I mean. Sleep was hard to come by with a screaming baby on board and the upright airline seats, but the saving grace was the food. Chicken and rice, omelets, and even a chicken pizza pastry. Easily the best food I have ever had on an airplane.
We landed in Qatar, home to one of the nicest airports in the world in my humble opinion. We walked around until we spotted the Oreo Café and got milkshakes before meeting up with two more team members, Trey and Emilie. With time to kill, we explored a forest-like area inside the airport and eventually grabbed a bite at Wagamama, a pan-Asian restaurant. The food was not incredible, but it gave us sustenance for the next five-hour flight. Then it was off to the gate to board our flight to Nairobi.
Once we landed in Africa, we hit our first bit of trip trouble. At baggage claim, one of our Hoops bags was missing. Ten to fifteen minutes of searching felt like an hour. Without those equipment bags, getting camp started would have been tough. Thankfully, the bag finally showed up. We almost made it through customs without an issue, but we were stopped again. When you bring over a hundred basketballs, someone is almost always going to ask questions. Since this was not a business venture, it took a little explaining, but Ronny quickly got it sorted out.
Outside, we met Pastor Kennedy Salano with a small 'Hoops for Hope' white sign. Our driver, Alfred, was also ready for us. It was early morning in Nairobi, but mentally it still felt like late night since we were eight hours ahead of Texas time. We drove through the city to the Utalii Hotel, which would be our base for the week. We grabbed a quick shower, freshened up, and headed to the K.A.G. Kariobangi Community Church for Sunday service.
We arrived a little late, but the moment we walked in we were surrounded by a worship medley in mostly Swahili with some English mixed in. God’s Word is powerful no matter the language. Hearing worship in another language is one of the most life-changing experiences you can have. I have heard it in Spanish, English, Tagalog, and now Swahili, and it still resonates deeply. Our favorite song, ‘Amefanya Mungu’ (“God has done it”) quickly became our weekly anthem. It is quite a fire song if you ask me.
Pastor Salano delivered a powerful message on 'hope.' Intentional or not, it was a fitting theme for this week. At this point, I was struggling to stay awake, having not slept for over a day but Emilie and Jake kept me in check. “Be an ambassador of hope,” Salano said. “God’s Word is hope, the church can be a function of hope.” This week, we would be teaching basketball skills, but more importantly we would be using basketball as a way to share the Gospel. Sports ministry has no boundaries, and this was my first time being part of it internationally.
After the service, we spent time with the children and pastors. We played basketball, danced in the sanctuary, inflated basketballs for camp, and even joined in on some Swahili karaoke. And if you know anything about me, I'm going to dance anytime, anywhere.
We ended the night with a feast at Pastor Salano’s house. We played games, laughed, and grew closer as a team before wrapping up our first full day in Nairobi.
Day 3- Nairobi National Park
Hitting the pillow on Sunday night was essential. My sleep was still questionable, but four to five hours of jet-lagged rest felt like a win. I figured adrenaline and the excitement of our free day would carry me through.
Breakfasts at the hotel became one of my favorite routines. That morning, we started with a spread that would become familiar throughout the week: chicken wings (a first for me at breakfast, but I was all in), beans, eggs, fresh fruit, pancakes so sweet you didn’t need syrup, and sausage. The Utalii staff was incredible, greeting us every morning with the warmest smiles.
We headed out for our first adventure: a mini-safari at Nairobi National Park. Everyone was lit. On the way, I shared my devotional, "Play with Eternal Purpose," built around my favorite verses from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete’s race, urging us to run with purpose, discipline, and self-control.
I told the team about my senior year in cross-country when I battled painful shin splints. My friend Shane, also injured, encouraged me to keep going. It hurt, but my purpose was bigger than the pain, to show up for my team and finish the season. My rule in life is simple: if I start something, I finish it if I’m able. This week with Hoops would be our mini-race. We would be drained physically and emotionally, but we would push forward together, leaning on God’s strength and each other’s encouragement. I challenged the team to glorify and honor God in everything we did.
The drive through Nairobi was eye-opening. The city was alive with movement: cars, buses, motorcycles, and people all flowing together in organized chaos. The traffic was intense. Vehicles passed within inches of each other. There were hardly any traffic lights, and most of the movement seemed to be directed by pure trust and a few traffic officers. I could never drive here. Alfred, our driver, deserves an Olympic medal of sorts for navigating all of this.
But those van rides became a magical part of the trip. We laughed, worshipped, swapped stories, taught Edwin about American football, and yes, I kept getting asked about my relationship history, for reasons I still don’t understand as the only single participant on the team. Pastor Polycarp even gave us impromptu history lessons about Kenya.
We arrived at the park and traded our ministry van for a safari jeep stocked with warm Kenyan shuka blankets. The three-hour, open-air ride in low-60s weather was brisk, to say the least. Edwin grinned and said, “We’re headed to Iceland.”
The park was stunning, with the city skyline in the distance and God’s creation unfolding around us. Drivers worked in sync to help each other spot animals on the dirt path, and everyone was on the lookout for the main event: a lion. I was hoping for a view that wasn’t too close for comfort. Along the way, we saw zebras, giraffes, warthogs, monkeys, and ostriches who were…well...I’ll just say “nature was at work.”
Caleb summed it up perfectly: “It’s cool to see the animals I grew up seeing in pictures and on TV in real life.”
After the safari, we swung by the church to grab supplies and check out the two sites where we’d be running camp. We talked through our game plan for the week, then dove back into traffic for the drive to dinner.
'Carnivore' lived up to its name. It was an all-you-can-eat meat feast: turkey, lamb, gizzard, ribs, and yes, ox balls. I wasn’t touching those, but I tried almost everything else until I was full. At Carnivore, you wave a white flag when you’re done eating. I set mine down and immediately heard a chorus of “Nooo!” from the table, so I picked it back up. Jake was the champion eater of the night/trip, going back for more plates. At one point, he joked, “Time to order some ox balls on Amazon.”
We ended the night full, happy, and ready for what was ahead. Camp started the next morning, and I could already feel the anticipation building.
Day 4- First Day of Camp
As we stepped on the van for the first day of camp, Bennet proclaimed "It's game one of the NBA Finals and we have just four days. We have to sweep." And that quote was so true. Unlike a seven game series in the finals, we went into each day knowing we had to capitalize since our time was so limited but the stakes to make an eternal impact was so high.
The lesson for the opening devo was “I Have a Purpose.” Each of the four days of camp had a theme that tied back to the Gospel: Purpose, Plan, Part, and Place. Every day after camp, the coaches would share messages from the Word of God. During the trip, we worked with three schools at two sites in Nairobi: Buruburu Primary, KAG Church School, and Kariobangi Primary.
The first day rivaled a classic North Carolina–Duke atmosphere, at least for me. All the planning, studying, and exercising came down to this moment. Running off the bus, setting down my drawstring bag, and sprinting onto the court with smiles waiting for us...you can’t simulate that much joy.
After starting to meet the campers, I decided to goof around with the team. I said, “For every shot you make, I’ll do five pushups.” Yeah...horrible mistake before practice. I ended up doing about 70 pushups before camp even started. I then led the team in a ten-minute warm-up session to get the heart pumping. High knees, lunges, butt kicks, arm circles, leg stretches, you name it, we did it. Soon, the whistle blew and the first day of camp was underway.
We arranged into teams and assigned campers a number for Day One, which would be crucial for their assignments the rest of the week. I worked with Emilie’s purple team since we didn’t have as many campers as coaches for Site #1.
We tipped things off the way we always do: Mass Ball Handling (MBH). In MBH, we practice the fundamentals of dribbling. I’ll be honest with you, I can’t do them all, and if they can give me a challenge, they certainly would for the campers. Scissors, behind-the-back, yo-yo...we had it all in the arsenal.
After Mass Ball Handling and a jab-pivot drill, we moved to Stations. Each coach was responsible for leading one rotation as each group of campers participated in a seven-minute station before moving. My station was passing drills. We started with some stationary bounce passes, then chest passes, then overhead passes before combining all three. I was impressed with how quickly and efficiently they executed the drills.
I had to learn a few words in Swahili: kaachini (sit down) and skiza (listen). When working with students, having those words in your back pocket is key.
Camp was going smoothly until we were called to the office for an impromptu break. No one knew this was happening, not even Ronny. It definitely threw us for a loop. The staff wanted us to enjoy some tea, coffee, and pastries that we soon came to love: mandazis. Think of a New Orleans beignet without the powdered sugar. At first, we were confused why we were taking a break when we had such limited time, but we learned to embrace it (shoutout Margaret). As the week went on, we danced to music and chowed down on mandazis like there was no tomorrow. As Pastor Mark said, “Be flexible.”
From day one, it was clear that every coach quickly developed a strong relationship with the campers, which was huge for morale. Later in the camp, we played contests that put all the skills we were teaching to the test: dribbling, passing, shooting, and agility all wrapped into one. The first and second place winners at the end of the week would get a prize for each team. Every drill mattered. We closed practice with a message of hope from Ronny and then broke into our small group sessions.
We packed up feeling energized and headed to The Ark cafeteria, where we spent all of our lunches. Our lunches consisted of cabbage, chapati (bread), ugali, and various meats like beef and chicken. I even ate intestine by accident, which I had sworn I’d never do. I have to admit, it was actually pretty solid.
The second camp in the afternoon followed the exact same formula but was no less special. I got my green team, full of guys and my favorite color, focused and ready to go. During the lesson with all the campers, we realized a Swahili translator would be important to help comprehension.
We finished the day by ordering our food. Practically no one got what they ordered at first because of shortages, so once again, we had to be flexible. After we ordered, we jumped in the pool for the final ten minutes it was open (and yes, we got featured on the hotel's IG account) before heading to the sauna.
In the sauna darkness, we met this super awesome guy with a deep voice. What emerged from the heat was the the legend of DR. STALLINGS. You’d just have to be there to understand his aura. Another round of team time from Speedy and Emilie closed out the night as we wrapped up a successful opening day.
Day 5- Second Day of Camp
Rise and shine. We kicked off the day by exercising before the exercise. At 6 a.m., I hit the hotel gym for 12–15 minutes of light cardio on the treadmill, then got a quick lift in on the bench press. And who did we see at the gym? None other than DR. STALLINGS. What a legend.
Later that morning, after breakfast, Jake and Bennet led us in a great devotional about understanding our “motivations” and why we do what we do. As they reminded us, our motivations should always be for God, not for ourselves.
The weather was much warmer today, so the mandazi break and extra water breaks at both sites were a lifesaver. We had to be intentional about staying hydrated and keeping each other’s energy up.
The plan for the day was to build off the momentum from opening day. We ran stations and contests like yesterday but added a few games into the mix. My personal favorite was “Hot Shot Cone Pickup.” Two teams compete with five shooting spots on the court, each spot holding two cones—one for each team’s color. Players go one at a time, and if you make the shot, you grab the cone. First team to collect all five wins.
We wrapped drills with “Last Second Hero.” In this one, campers get a shot from half court. If they make it, the place absolutely erupts, and everyone rushes the shooter. It’s always a perfect way to end practice on a high note.
The lesson for Day 2 was to trust in God’s plan and provision over our own.
We ended the day just like yesterday: sauna (sadly without Dr. Stallings), dinner, team time, and then much-needed sleep. Oh, and I can’t forget, we scored some sweet Kenyan soccer jerseys.
Day 6- Third Day of Camp
Waking up this morning was pretty rough. My sleep wasn’t great, my voice was shot from yelling and giving instructions all week, and I was dragging. Second-to-last day of camp, so I had to find some energy somewhere. Caleb and Bennet gave me some encouragement on the way to devotional, which honestly helped flip the switch a bit.
Speedy led us through Psalm 119:89-90, talking about the eternal purpose of the Gospel and how our role here is to bring light and life through these camps. Then he dropped a bar: “Don’t be surprised when lost people act lost.” That one hit. Just a reminder that we’ve all been there before, walking in darkness, and it’s not our job to judge, it’s our job to love them and point them to truth.
Trey followed with Colossians 3:23, reminding us to work for the Lord, not for men. Big theme of the trip. Whether it’s running games, setting up cones, or talking with kids, we’re doing it for God and letting Him work through us.
First camp of the day: we kicked things off with the 12 Minute Olympics, then Hot Shot Cone Pickup, Sharks and Minnows, Pressure, and Last Second Hero. Energy was high and the kids were all in. During team time, Emilie had the #WeArePurple crew memorizing Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10 with hand motions, and they crushed it.
After lunch, we hit our second site. Gotta shout out John, Dennis, Cedric, Terrance, and Edwin as they’d been holding it down behind the scenes all week making camp run smooth. We were rolling until Sharks and Minnows got…let’s just say chaotic. Balls flying, kids diving...pure madness. So we swapped it out for 'Dribble Knockout,' which was still fun but way more controlled.
Dinner was Pizza Inn tonight. Pepperoni, hamburger, BBQ chicken, you name it. We wrapped the night with team time from Ronny and Caleb, then back to the hotel to pack for tomorrow’s checkout.
Started the day worn out, ended it thankful and fired up for the last one. This week flew by and now it was time to finish the way we started.
Day 7- Fourth Day of Camp
On the final day of camp, Caleb reminded us from John 15 that Jesus is the “true vine,” and we as the branches exist for one ultimate purpose: to bear fruit for the Kingdom. Our prayer for Friday was simple but big: that the Gospel would multiply through Nairobi and across Africa.
At 8:00 a.m., after one last team breakfast, we loaded our packed bags and headed to Site #1 for the final time. Somehow, on this last day, I had more energy than all the others combined. Why? Only by the grace of God.
We ran one more round of Mass Ball Handling, drills, games, and of course, the now regularly scheduled mandazi-and-tea break. But as always, the most important moment was the Gospel presentation. Pastor Polycarp spoke before we each shared our testimonies, and the key verses we kept coming back to were in Romans.
We asked the campers, “Where would you go if you died today?” The “I Have a Place” lesson makes it clear: God has a place for you in heaven, but you must understand the Gospel and receive Christ in your heart. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that man believes, and with the mouth he confesses.” That’s it. Salvation isn’t complicated. Too many hear God’s invitation but never accept it. We wanted every camper to walk away knowing the truth: the wages of sin is death, but because of the cross, we have hope and a second chance.
It was emotional when they asked when we’d be back. We all hope and pray for that day, but the truth is...we just don’t know. Did I think I’d be in Africa at the start of 2025? Absolutely not. But that’s why you never know what God has in store.
At Site #2, the last 30 minutes were reserved for the awards ceremony: the pièce de résistance of the campers’ week. We had the Site #1 campers bus over to join us, then sat down for one last lunch at The Ark before heading to the gym.
We kicked things off with the Gospel one more time. If we got that right, nothing else mattered—not basketball, not the drills—just Jesus. Then came the fun: dancing, singing, and cheering as we built anticipation for the awards.
The ceremony lasted about 15 minutes. Each team got awards for their top two finishes in contests, plus a Coaches Award for the camper who best embodied the Hoops for Hope spirit. Seeing the joy on their faces, especially as we did the “banana” dance for one of our favorite Site #1 campers with a yellow jumpsuit, was pure chills. And Jeff, a son of a pastor, God-fearing, high-energy, dual-sport athlete from Site #2, brought so much joy and light to the room. It was impossible not to smile.
Then, came the hard part: goodbyes. We took team photos, gave our final hugs, and then, just like that, it was over. One moment we were running drills, the next we were packing up for the States. The abrupt ending hit...hard. I almost cried.
Thankfully, the Kenya team arranged showers near our usual lunch spot at the university. In 30 minutes flat, we were clean, dressed, and ready for our final dinner. A round of applause for the staff closed out the meal.
The ride to the airport was filled with reflection and quiet conversations. When we stepped out into the darkness at Jomo Kenyatta International, we said our final goodbyes to Pastor Kennedy, Polycarp, and Edwin before our farewell from Africa.
Next stop: home.
Day 8- Returning Home
The work had been finished. We had accomplished what we set out to do. However, we still had a day of travel to get back to our respective homes. It was midnight when we were en route to London from Nairobi.
At the London-Heathrow airport, we headed to our bus to Terminal 3 as Ronny, Caleb, Bennet, and I said goodbye to Trey and Emilie as they needed to catch their flights to their respective homes. We didn't have much time to spare as we made it to our gate about five minutes before boarding time. It was slightly confusing to get there as the airport had a mall of some sorts which took you away from the gates. It took us ten minutes to get to where we needed to go.
Once we were all reunited in the USA, including Jake and Speedy who arrived from Paris, we piled into the truck for the last stretch from DFW back to Waco.
As the trip came full circle, with Trey back in Miami and Emilie back in Cali, everything felt balanced...like the perfect ending to a journey that had been so much bigger than basketball. This trip wasn’t just about basketball drills and games; it was about lives touched, friendships forged, and hope provided.
We left with tired minds but full hearts, knowing that the seeds planted would hopefully continue to grow long after we left the streets of Kenya. The prayers had been answered, the work had been done, and for that, we were deeply grateful. Now time to pop in some melatonin and get our sleep rhythm back in the groove.
A word from Pastor Kennedy to our team: "Much appreciation to you all for the sacrifice you made to come and minister to our kids. We lack the words to say thanks to you, Mark (Wible), and the team. A total of 82 kids raised their hands to receive Christ. Their influence in the family and community is felt. God bless and journey mercies."
Lessons Learned & Thank You
As I write this with sleep-deprived eyes and still trying to figure out what time zone my body thinks it’s in, I’m feeling truly blessed. Here are three quick lessons I learned from my time in Nairobi.
#1. Your. Presence. Matters. They always say half the battle is just showing up. One of the coolest moments was right after the last camp when a mother of two campers, Emanmanuel and Meshack, came up to me and said how awesome it was that a Black American would come all the way to Kenya to teach basketball to her kids. I didn’t think much of it going into the trip, but that moment hit me hard. Sometimes the biggest impact you can make is just by being there.
#2. God is at work across the globe. Here’s my seemingly annual PSA: there’s way more to life than the 20-mile bubble you spend most of your time in. Traveling has opened my eyes to what God is doing in so many different places and among so many different people. God isn’t a local God; He’s an impartial, loving God for everyone who calls on His name. (Romans 10:9-10, shoutout!)
#3. Put your yes on the table and He will deliver. Every year, Hoops for Hope needs people willing to step up and go on these trips, to share the Gospel and play some basketball. When I filled out my forms, I had no clue who’d be going or what it would look like. But it turned out to be an absolute blast, and now I’d love to make this a summer tradition if I can.
In conclusion, thank you to the people of Nairobi and Kenya for being so kind and hospitable. Out of all the countries I’ve been to, this has to be the friendliest. I’m truly grateful for their warmth and welcome.
I’m also over the moon for Hoops for Hope International for giving our team a platform to play basketball, share a story of hope, and ultimately experience something unforgettable—a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
To my team members, Pastor Wible, and the church I serve, I’m blessed to be part of your lives and a small piece of the Lord’s massive and constantly moving mission in sports ministry and evangelism across the world.
To close out this article, here is a summary of a quick summary of everyone's 'one word' to describe this trip:
Caleb: Learning -"This week I learned about culture, joy, gratitude, and the power of Jesus!"
Bennet: Joy - "I saw how joyful the kids were with almost nothing. They had the true joy of the Lord and were so willing to share it with others. I was also able to feel the joy of the Lord both in coaching kids and telling them about Jesus!"
Jake: Grace - "Everything about this trip felt so precise. Everything worked out beautifully to the glory of God!"
Emilie: Purposeful - "I felt so much purpose from the Lord in serving. Even though I am not a basketball player, I was supposed to be here!"
Trey: Asante [Thank you] - "Feeling so thankful and full of life. This week revived my soul. The Lord moved heavily through coincidences and joyful moments."
Ronny: Gratitude - "I am grateful to God for taking care of us. The trip turned out so well!"
Speedy: Growth - "New team members, new trip leader, (Go Ronny!) and new ministry partners."
Myself: Friendship - "It has been a blessing to meet and create connections with so many amazing Kenyan pastors and students. They are so kind and helpful."
Photo Creds: Sam Clemo, Terrance, Emilie, and myself
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