Hi, I'm Dustin Comm with the Maranatha Minute. 00:00:01.36\00:00:02.73 Fifty six Maranatha volunteers recently served in California 00:00:02.76\00:00:06.20 at Pacific Union College. 00:00:06.23\00:00:07.87 This is the second project here in the last two years 00:00:07.90\00:00:10.31 and volunteers picked right up where they left off. 00:00:10.34\00:00:13.48 They continued renovations on a men's dorm 00:00:13.51\00:00:16.04 where the rooms were given a thorough cleaning 00:00:16.08\00:00:18.05 and new flooring was set. 00:00:18.08\00:00:19.91 In the woodshop workers constructed new cabinets 00:00:19.95\00:00:22.28 that were installed, 00:00:22.32\00:00:23.69 rounding out the transformation of 15 dorm rooms. 00:00:23.72\00:00:27.09 As always during COVID-19 safety rules were in place 00:00:27.16\00:00:30.23 including wearing face masks, social distancing, 00:00:30.26\00:00:33.09 and twice daily temperature checks. 00:00:33.13\00:00:35.26 The successful project 00:00:35.30\00:00:36.67 came to somewhat of a dramatic ending 00:00:36.70\00:00:38.20 as the nearby Hennessy wildfire 00:00:38.23\00:00:40.54 forced an evacuation of the area. 00:00:40.57\00:00:42.80 Thankfully, all volunteers got home safely. 00:00:42.84\00:00:46.07 Learn more about the work 00:00:46.11\00:00:47.48 Maranatha is doing in the United States 00:00:47.51\00:00:49.11 and around the world 00:00:49.14\00:00:50.48 at this year's virtual convention, 00:00:50.55\00:00:52.18 Mission Maranatha. 00:00:52.21\00:00:53.85 Watch our two-hour television broadcast event 00:00:53.92\00:00:56.05 on September 19 at 2 pm. 00:00:56.08\00:00:58.29 Visit our website to learn more. 00:00:58.32\00:00:59.85 At first glance, 00:01:31.85\00:01:33.19 this small campus 00:01:33.22\00:01:34.56 looks like a typical boarding school in Kenya. 00:01:34.59\00:01:37.26 There are kids in uniform attending assembly, 00:01:37.33\00:01:40.60 class, 00:01:40.63\00:01:42.13 and eating in the dining commons. 00:01:42.16\00:01:44.67 There are kids living in dormitories, 00:01:44.70\00:01:46.97 doing their laundry and chores and playing outdoors. 00:01:47.04\00:01:51.81 But the Kajiado Adventist School 00:01:51.84\00:01:53.78 and Rescue Center is no ordinary campus. 00:01:53.81\00:01:57.38 Kajiado is home to 150 girls 00:01:57.45\00:01:59.88 who have endured or escaped 00:01:59.91\00:02:01.88 female genital mutilation or FGM. 00:02:01.92\00:02:05.55 This is an illegal ritual done to girls 00:02:05.59\00:02:08.06 as young as six years old 00:02:08.09\00:02:09.72 in preparation for their arranged marriage 00:02:09.76\00:02:12.16 at the age of nine. 00:02:12.19\00:02:15.46 Kajiado was established nearly 20 years ago 00:02:15.50\00:02:17.57 as a ministry 00:02:17.60\00:02:18.93 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 00:02:18.97\00:02:20.34 It is a haven for Maasai girls 00:02:23.74\00:02:25.44 who have run away from their families 00:02:25.47\00:02:27.28 in search of safety and education. 00:02:27.31\00:02:30.68 Sarah Daniel is the school director. 00:02:30.75\00:02:33.55 She has been working at Kajiado for the past 10 years, 00:02:33.62\00:02:36.15 and she has personally helped to rescue many girls 00:02:36.18\00:02:38.85 from abusive situations 00:02:38.89\00:02:40.39 and watch them grow into strong, healthy, 00:02:40.46\00:02:43.29 educated women of faith. 00:02:43.32\00:02:47.20 More than 2,000 girls 00:02:47.23\00:02:49.33 are being assisted through this center. 00:02:49.36\00:02:52.40 And we thank God for their beautiful future. 00:02:52.43\00:02:55.04 We have 20 who are in colleges and universities, 00:02:55.07\00:02:59.47 and one of them graduated last year, 00:02:59.51\00:03:01.81 and we are happy for that. 00:03:01.84\00:03:03.45 When I walk around 00:03:03.48\00:03:04.81 and I look at the within the community, 00:03:04.85\00:03:07.32 I have teachers, 00:03:07.35\00:03:08.95 I have people who are working in the offices 00:03:08.98\00:03:11.42 and they are testimony of these because they went through this 00:03:11.45\00:03:15.79 and now they are living as a better life 00:03:15.82\00:03:20.30 after being assisted. 00:03:20.33\00:03:22.00 So we are really happy for that. 00:03:22.03\00:03:24.43 And we are not ready to stop this 00:03:24.47\00:03:26.74 until we see that 00:03:26.77\00:03:28.40 every girl will be safe 00:03:28.44\00:03:30.71 and every girl will be given an opportunity. 00:03:30.74\00:03:35.74 It is a worthy goal, 00:03:35.78\00:03:37.15 yet at Kajiado 00:03:37.18\00:03:38.51 the momentum is being thwarted by a simple problem, space. 00:03:38.55\00:03:43.22 Because of the growing number, the dormitory that we have, 00:03:43.25\00:03:48.09 is only supposed to handle 00:03:48.12\00:03:49.59 a capacity of not more than 80 girls. 00:03:49.62\00:03:55.06 But currently as we speak, 00:03:55.10\00:03:57.50 the population in our dormitory is 150 girls. 00:03:57.57\00:04:03.10 Girls have to sleep two or three to a mattress. 00:04:03.14\00:04:06.61 Sometimes they push two bunks together 00:04:06.68\00:04:08.58 to create a larger space, 00:04:08.61\00:04:10.45 but not necessarily more comfort. 00:04:10.48\00:04:13.42 The cramped quarters means that Sarah is unable to accept 00:04:13.45\00:04:16.52 more girls in need of help. 00:04:16.55\00:04:19.19 Beyond the sleeping situation, 00:04:19.22\00:04:20.96 the school is in need of upgrades. 00:04:20.99\00:04:23.32 These are the only toilets available 00:04:23.36\00:04:25.46 for the 150 girls at Kajiado. 00:04:25.49\00:04:28.73 As for showers, 00:04:28.76\00:04:30.10 most of the students bathe outside 00:04:30.17\00:04:31.60 using buckets of water and darkness for privacy. 00:04:31.63\00:04:36.47 In addition to the girls, 00:04:36.50\00:04:37.84 there are about two dozen boys who board at the school. 00:04:37.87\00:04:41.21 The co-ed atmosphere helps the girls to develop 00:04:41.24\00:04:43.65 a healthy relationship with males. 00:04:43.68\00:04:46.45 The boys stay in the old school library, 00:04:46.48\00:04:48.82 which means that books 00:04:48.85\00:04:50.22 had to be shoved into a small nook. 00:04:50.29\00:04:53.09 The dedicated staff also need better housing. 00:04:53.12\00:04:56.26 It's so small in term of space 00:04:56.29\00:05:00.30 and it cannot accommodate more than one person, 00:05:00.33\00:05:02.83 Andigo Nehive who is sleeping there, 00:05:02.86\00:05:04.90 it is not spacious for me. 00:05:04.93\00:05:07.17 So we need a spacious room 00:05:07.24\00:05:10.04 for us to live in comfortably. 00:05:10.11\00:05:15.44 And finally, the school needs a new well. 00:05:15.48\00:05:18.48 The current well is not producing enough 00:05:18.51\00:05:20.62 and the school is having to spend precious resources 00:05:20.65\00:05:23.05 on buying water. 00:05:23.08\00:05:24.42 Since learning of Kajiado' s needs, 00:05:26.49\00:05:28.59 Maranatha has agreed to help 00:05:28.62\00:05:29.96 with a number of projects on campus, 00:05:30.03\00:05:32.33 including the construction of new dormitories, 00:05:32.36\00:05:35.46 bathrooms and showers, 00:05:35.50\00:05:37.60 administrative offices, and the drilling of a new well. 00:05:37.63\00:05:43.24 The work is being completed in part by volunteers. 00:05:43.27\00:05:46.57 Two previous groups completed one dormitory 00:05:46.61\00:05:49.01 and bathroom block. 00:05:49.04\00:05:50.65 And in March Maranatha organized a mission trip 00:05:50.68\00:05:53.25 to Kajiado for a team to build a second girls' dormitory. 00:05:53.28\00:05:58.15 The opportunity drew a small 00:05:58.19\00:05:59.52 but motivated group of 26 volunteers, 00:05:59.55\00:06:02.66 each with a different reason for joining the project. 00:06:02.69\00:06:06.19 Kristi Richardson 00:06:06.23\00:06:07.60 was in the category of first time volunteers. 00:06:07.63\00:06:10.40 It was a strange label 00:06:10.47\00:06:11.80 to have considering her background. 00:06:11.83\00:06:14.04 Her parents Cal and Sue Krueger 00:06:14.07\00:06:16.30 have been part of the organization 00:06:16.34\00:06:17.81 for more than 40 years as board members, 00:06:17.84\00:06:20.21 donors and volunteers. 00:06:20.28\00:06:22.68 I was an educator, I was a teacher. 00:06:22.71\00:06:25.08 And because I was on an academic calendar, 00:06:25.11\00:06:27.62 and I was given these are the times 00:06:27.65\00:06:28.98 when you have vacation, 00:06:29.02\00:06:30.39 it never quite lined up, I mean I would have loved to. 00:06:30.42\00:06:33.02 It would take Kristi's retirement from teaching 00:06:33.05\00:06:35.16 to open the door to volunteering with Maranatha. 00:06:35.19\00:06:38.66 The Kruger family organized a mission trip 00:06:38.69\00:06:40.70 to work at the Gucha School in Kenya. 00:06:40.73\00:06:44.40 Sadly neither Kristi or Sue ever made it to Kenya. 00:06:44.43\00:06:48.60 Kristi's husband had a major health issue, 00:06:48.64\00:06:50.51 forcing her to cancel her trip, 00:06:50.54\00:06:52.57 and her mother Sue had cancer 00:06:52.61\00:06:54.44 which kept her from the project. 00:06:54.48\00:06:56.41 Sue passed away shortly after. 00:06:56.44\00:06:59.08 Less than a year later, 00:06:59.11\00:07:00.45 Kristi heard about the Kajiado mission trip. 00:07:00.52\00:07:02.98 I still had tickets 00:07:03.02\00:07:04.79 from the project I was unable to go on. 00:07:04.82\00:07:07.26 And when my mother passed away 00:07:07.29\00:07:10.03 as a memorial, we specified this project. 00:07:10.06\00:07:13.06 So I thought that would be really good to come 00:07:13.09\00:07:15.23 to honor her memory. 00:07:15.26\00:07:18.93 Well, Kristi's reasons for going 00:07:18.97\00:07:20.57 were specifically rooted in personal history. 00:07:20.64\00:07:23.24 Eddie and Dwanna Falconer were drawn by a more vague 00:07:23.27\00:07:26.41 calling to the mission field. 00:07:26.44\00:07:28.18 When my wife and I, 00:07:28.21\00:07:29.54 we have one thing in common and that is travel. 00:07:29.58\00:07:33.08 Several things in common, 00:07:33.11\00:07:34.45 but travel is one of those things 00:07:34.48\00:07:35.82 that we have in common. 00:07:35.85\00:07:37.39 And so we took a trip last year, 00:07:37.42\00:07:40.79 as part of our vacation and we traveled to Europe. 00:07:40.86\00:07:44.33 But it was mostly leisure. 00:07:44.36\00:07:46.19 We felt somewhat guilty 00:07:46.23\00:07:47.60 when we got back even though it was, 00:07:47.63\00:07:50.27 we enjoyed it, but something was missing. 00:07:50.30\00:07:52.37 The last time we went away, we just felt like it was great. 00:07:52.40\00:07:56.20 But something was missing and we felt that 00:07:56.24\00:07:58.57 that was because it was just all about us. 00:07:58.61\00:08:00.91 We needed to do something 00:08:00.98\00:08:02.31 when we combine service and travel. 00:08:02.34\00:08:05.18 And we thought of Maranatha. 00:08:05.21\00:08:07.22 This is my first mission trip 00:08:07.25\00:08:09.02 and my first time laboring with brick and mortar. 00:08:09.05\00:08:15.36 I chose the Kenya mission trip 00:08:15.39\00:08:18.16 because the rescue center and the Kajiado School 00:08:18.19\00:08:21.70 just really struck me 00:08:21.73\00:08:23.06 in a really deep and personal place. 00:08:23.10\00:08:24.60 And I just want to serve and do whatever was needed 00:08:24.63\00:08:28.44 for the young ladies that go to the school. 00:08:28.47\00:08:32.41 But while Dwanna was certain of her choice, 00:08:32.44\00:08:34.64 Eddie was apprehensive. 00:08:34.68\00:08:36.98 As a self-employed businessman, Eddie was worried. 00:08:37.05\00:08:41.62 There's always that fear of finance 00:08:41.65\00:08:43.69 come into the question, 00:08:43.72\00:08:45.15 where you figure okay, three weeks off the job. 00:08:45.19\00:08:47.82 I'm self-employed, 00:08:47.86\00:08:49.19 how much money am I gonna lose? 00:08:49.22\00:08:51.13 And then you realize, well, God can take care of us. 00:08:51.16\00:08:56.36 And that's where we made a decision 00:08:56.40\00:08:58.20 and she began to make the plans 00:08:58.23\00:08:59.90 and everything just kind of fell in place from there. 00:08:59.93\00:09:02.77 Kristi, Dwanna and Eddie 00:09:02.80\00:09:04.51 were joined by 23 other volunteers 00:09:04.54\00:09:06.78 with a diversity of backgrounds. 00:09:06.81\00:09:09.44 Volunteers who grew up in the mission field 00:09:09.48\00:09:11.98 and consider it home, 00:09:12.01\00:09:13.92 volunteers who have found purpose in service 00:09:13.95\00:09:16.35 and now make Maranatha a regular part of their lives, 00:09:16.38\00:09:19.79 volunteers who came seeking a new experience, 00:09:19.82\00:09:22.12 adventure and purpose in their lives. 00:09:22.16\00:09:25.76 Regardless of their background in missions, 00:09:25.79\00:09:27.96 no one could anticipate 00:09:28.00\00:09:29.53 the highly emotional experience of serving 00:09:29.56\00:09:31.90 such a special group of students 00:09:31.93\00:09:33.87 at such a special place. 00:09:33.94\00:09:37.74 When we come back, 00:09:37.77\00:09:39.11 watch a very special mission trip unfold 00:09:39.14\00:09:41.58 through the eyes of the volunteers. 00:09:41.61\00:09:43.68 Anyone can build a church. 00:10:04.63\00:10:06.27 Simply give just $10 each month 00:10:06.30\00:10:08.70 and your donation along with thousands of others 00:10:08.74\00:10:11.81 will fund a new place of worship every month. 00:10:11.84\00:10:16.28 The potential for change is all around you. 00:10:16.31\00:10:19.48 All you have to do is look. 00:10:19.51\00:10:21.82 On the first day 00:10:28.62\00:10:29.96 of the Maranatha Kenya project in Kajiado, 00:10:30.03\00:10:32.13 the campus was buzzing 00:10:32.16\00:10:33.50 in preparation for the volunteers' arrival 00:10:33.53\00:10:35.73 as welcomes are a big deal in Kenya. 00:10:35.76\00:10:38.93 The first morning we arrived on our buses, 00:10:38.97\00:10:42.60 the students were lined up, 00:10:42.64\00:10:44.24 the gates open and here's hundreds of girls 00:10:44.31\00:10:47.84 and a few boys in their matching outfits. 00:10:47.88\00:10:50.68 And they were marching in time 00:10:50.75\00:10:52.31 up to make two lines to welcome us in. 00:10:52.35\00:10:55.02 Their hearts just filled with joy 00:10:55.05\00:10:57.29 and singing and so happy to see us. 00:10:57.32\00:11:02.76 When we first got here that first day, 00:11:29.65\00:11:32.79 and I saw all of those children lined up, 00:11:32.82\00:11:36.02 and they seem so excited. 00:11:36.06\00:11:38.23 I felt we're in for a real treat 00:11:38.26\00:11:40.70 at this place. 00:11:40.73\00:11:43.90 I wanted to cry 00:11:43.97\00:11:45.30 but there was so much mixed emotion 00:11:45.33\00:11:46.84 when I saw the kids singing 00:11:46.87\00:11:48.27 and then I saw everybody just kind of lined up. 00:11:48.30\00:11:51.74 I felt very small, 00:11:51.77\00:11:53.11 because this was way bigger than I am, you know, 00:11:53.91\00:11:56.04 so I was just grateful when I got here, 00:11:56.08\00:11:58.61 you know, all the emotions were there. 00:11:58.65\00:12:00.92 And that was just the first few minutes. 00:12:08.46\00:12:10.86 Little did Eddie know, 00:12:10.93\00:12:12.26 it was only the beginning 00:12:12.29\00:12:13.63 of what would be a transformational week 00:12:13.66\00:12:15.70 in many ways. 00:12:15.73\00:12:18.03 First, there was the work. 00:12:18.07\00:12:20.44 While many of the volunteers were veterans at laying block, 00:12:20.47\00:12:23.17 for others, 00:12:23.20\00:12:24.54 the construction site was a brand-new experience. 00:12:24.57\00:12:27.84 So laying brick, 00:12:27.88\00:12:29.21 it's actually my first time doing this. 00:12:29.24\00:12:33.65 It's not going very well so far, 00:12:33.72\00:12:35.72 having a hard time getting the hang of it. 00:12:35.75\00:12:38.22 But I'll get it. 00:12:38.25\00:12:39.59 And so the trick is to get just the right amount of mortar, 00:12:50.67\00:12:54.37 without it all falling off the side like that. 00:12:54.40\00:12:58.11 If we just lay very still, very quietly. 00:13:04.81\00:13:09.28 For those who would prefer work other than masonry, 00:13:12.29\00:13:14.72 there were plenty of other tasks. 00:13:14.76\00:13:17.96 Like teaching a health class. 00:13:17.99\00:13:19.86 I really like you, you're such a nice one. 00:13:19.89\00:13:22.76 Now look at you. You got germs all over you. 00:13:22.80\00:13:27.54 Painting, 00:13:27.57\00:13:30.81 organizing, 00:13:30.84\00:13:34.31 cleaning. 00:13:34.34\00:13:35.68 Even shopping. 00:13:39.78\00:13:43.32 Renee Harry 00:13:43.39\00:13:44.72 is a first time volunteer from New York. 00:13:44.75\00:13:47.36 On the day she wasn't on the construction site, 00:13:47.39\00:13:49.56 she helped with one of the outreach activities 00:13:49.59\00:13:51.49 on campus. 00:13:51.53\00:13:53.60 Maranatha, and I think just on the strength 00:13:53.63\00:13:56.33 of people wanting to help everyone 00:13:56.36\00:13:59.47 sort of collected items and clothing, shoes, 00:13:59.50\00:14:04.44 anything they think that would be beneficial. 00:14:04.47\00:14:07.68 So the girls and the boys here, 00:14:07.71\00:14:09.18 they collected all those items before they came. 00:14:09.21\00:14:12.11 And we sort of set up 00:14:12.15\00:14:13.92 a little shopping area for them, 00:14:13.95\00:14:16.22 where the girls could come in and choose items 00:14:16.25\00:14:19.62 that they liked, 00:14:19.65\00:14:20.99 and then you know 00:14:21.02\00:14:22.36 they would be able to walk away with an item. 00:14:22.39\00:14:23.83 Thank you. 00:14:23.86\00:14:25.19 Thank you for bringing for us these gifts 00:14:25.23\00:14:27.86 and come back again. 00:14:27.90\00:14:29.40 May God bless you. 00:14:29.43\00:14:31.67 The clothing outreach 00:14:31.70\00:14:33.03 was just one of the ways the volunteers got to interact 00:14:33.07\00:14:35.40 with the girls and hear their stories. 00:14:35.44\00:14:37.71 Over the week, 00:14:37.74\00:14:39.07 what they found 00:14:39.11\00:14:40.48 were young women seeking mentorship and friendship. 00:14:40.51\00:14:43.85 Once the girls leave home 00:14:43.88\00:14:45.35 and the tradition of childhood marriage, 00:14:45.38\00:14:47.22 they're rejected by their parents. 00:14:47.25\00:14:49.62 Often they can never go back to their villages. 00:14:49.65\00:14:52.55 So what the girls want, 00:14:52.59\00:14:54.16 what they crave is genuine connection. 00:14:54.19\00:14:56.83 Jane Sines is a longtime volunteer 00:15:00.13\00:15:02.43 who recently returned to Maranatha mission trips 00:15:02.46\00:15:04.80 after a bit of a break. 00:15:04.83\00:15:07.04 In the last couple projects, 00:15:07.07\00:15:08.50 she'd been a little worried 00:15:08.54\00:15:09.87 about how she'd fit into the bigger picture 00:15:09.90\00:15:11.71 as an older participant. 00:15:11.74\00:15:14.11 But with each experience, 00:15:14.18\00:15:15.51 she's found a way to belong and fulfill a need 00:15:15.54\00:15:18.08 that she would have never imagined. 00:15:18.11\00:15:21.08 When I first started interacting 00:15:21.12\00:15:22.75 with the girls here, 00:15:22.78\00:15:24.55 they were really kind of hesitant. 00:15:24.59\00:15:26.86 But the more I put my arms around them 00:15:26.89\00:15:28.76 and just hugged them, 00:15:28.79\00:15:30.33 and just stood by them and held their hands, 00:15:30.36\00:15:33.80 they just seem to start glowing. 00:15:33.83\00:15:36.26 And just more and more, 00:15:36.30\00:15:37.63 and now when I would come 00:15:37.67\00:15:39.40 more recently to the campus, 00:15:39.43\00:15:41.27 they would just come running and wanting to hug me 00:15:41.30\00:15:45.61 and, you know, I just, 00:15:45.64\00:15:47.81 and they started calling me grandma, grandma, 00:15:47.84\00:15:50.75 grandma come out. 00:15:50.78\00:15:52.11 Grandma, grandma, and it was just a thrill. 00:15:52.15\00:15:57.19 On the first Saturday night, 00:15:57.22\00:15:58.65 the school organized a social for everyone. 00:15:58.69\00:16:00.96 The event immediately broke down 00:16:00.99\00:16:02.86 any walls that existed 00:16:02.89\00:16:04.33 between the girls and the volunteers. 00:16:04.36\00:16:07.10 We, you know, celebrated the end of Sabbath, 00:16:07.13\00:16:09.40 sang some songs 00:16:09.43\00:16:10.77 and then we got into the activity songs, 00:16:10.80\00:16:13.74 action songs, 00:16:13.77\00:16:15.10 and they were singing a song in which they came 00:16:15.14\00:16:16.91 and got us again out, 00:16:16.94\00:16:18.27 and were teaching us to do their Maasai thing, 00:16:18.31\00:16:21.54 I can't do it too well yet. 00:16:21.58\00:16:25.35 And so they had a fabulous time, 00:16:25.38\00:16:26.92 we had a fabulous time. 00:16:26.95\00:16:30.12 And that's why things like Saturday night, 00:16:30.19\00:16:32.29 to model the behavior, 00:16:32.32\00:16:33.66 and to show them 00:16:33.69\00:16:35.02 that we and Christian love can have a really great time 00:16:35.06\00:16:37.63 and laugh and sing and jump around, 00:16:37.66\00:16:41.26 was really a wonderful thing to do. 00:16:41.30\00:16:43.03 When I got here, 00:17:21.70\00:17:23.04 I was not quite sure what the real story was. 00:17:23.07\00:17:26.31 But after about the second day, 00:17:26.34\00:17:29.81 especially the night 00:17:29.84\00:17:31.18 when they had that get together. 00:17:31.21\00:17:32.78 I had a chance to really speak with some of the girls 00:17:32.81\00:17:35.65 one on one, 00:17:35.68\00:17:37.02 and they were sharing 00:17:37.09\00:17:38.42 a little bit of their experience. 00:17:38.45\00:17:40.16 But one of the most profound thing 00:17:40.19\00:17:41.92 that happened to me, 00:17:41.96\00:17:43.96 me and my wife, 00:17:44.03\00:17:45.36 two girls was just walking past hand in hand, 00:17:45.39\00:17:49.03 and I wave to them and they smile back at me. 00:17:49.06\00:17:51.30 When they smiled, 00:17:51.33\00:17:52.67 the other one tucked and then the other one shared and say, 00:17:52.70\00:17:54.04 "Come on, let's go over there." 00:17:54.07\00:17:55.44 They came over and we want to take pictures of them. 00:17:55.47\00:17:59.17 Within about 15 minutes, 00:17:59.21\00:18:01.74 they were calling us mom and dad. 00:18:01.78\00:18:05.78 And 00:18:05.81\00:18:07.15 that took my heart. 00:18:11.05\00:18:13.79 I really did because 00:18:13.86\00:18:16.56 here is they've never seen me before. 00:18:16.59\00:18:20.40 And I don't know 00:18:20.43\00:18:22.13 what all the experiences in their young life 00:18:22.16\00:18:25.87 that they have been through, 00:18:25.90\00:18:27.64 but there was already to identify with us 00:18:27.67\00:18:29.90 as part of their own family and to accommodate us 00:18:29.94\00:18:33.38 and calling us mom and dad. 00:18:33.41\00:18:35.78 It really melted my heart, it really did. 00:18:35.81\00:18:41.48 When we come back, 00:18:41.52\00:18:42.85 volunteers witness a miracle for Kajiado and more. 00:18:42.88\00:18:46.52 During these uncertain times, 00:18:56.77\00:18:58.10 it can seem like there's no good left in the world, 00:18:58.13\00:19:00.74 yet we've seen God's hand in Maranatha's work 00:19:00.77\00:19:03.07 throughout this pandemic 00:19:03.10\00:19:04.44 and invite you to watch a special television event 00:19:04.47\00:19:06.91 to see how God is blessed. 00:19:06.98\00:19:09.01 On September 19 at 2 pm Pacific, 00:19:09.04\00:19:11.78 watch our two-hour virtual convention broadcast 00:19:11.81\00:19:14.55 Mission Maranatha. 00:19:14.58\00:19:16.52 This special will feature 00:19:16.55\00:19:17.89 inspiring volunteer testimonies, 00:19:17.92\00:19:19.62 reports from the mission field 00:19:19.65\00:19:21.26 and ways that you can stay involved 00:19:21.29\00:19:22.82 even from home. 00:19:22.86\00:19:24.33 This program will air on a variety of networks 00:19:24.36\00:19:26.70 as well as on demand on our app, 00:19:26.73\00:19:28.63 the Maranatha Channel. 00:19:28.66\00:19:30.40 We also invite you to participate 00:19:30.47\00:19:31.97 in two virtual meetings on Zoom 00:19:32.00\00:19:34.47 as a part of our convention weekend. 00:19:34.50\00:19:36.60 On September 18, 00:19:36.64\00:19:37.97 learn how to plan for your financial future 00:19:38.01\00:19:40.21 and support Maranatha at the same time. 00:19:40.28\00:19:43.01 On September 19, after our two-hour broadcast, 00:19:43.04\00:19:46.15 come to our virtual lobby 00:19:46.18\00:19:47.52 for a meet and greet 00:19:47.55\00:19:48.88 with fellow volunteers and Maranatha staff. 00:19:48.92\00:19:51.19 Go to maranatha.org/missionmaranatha 00:19:51.22\00:19:54.16 to register. 00:19:54.19\00:19:55.52 Maranatha is committed 00:19:59.86\00:20:01.20 to helping the Kajiado Adventist School 00:20:01.23\00:20:03.23 and Rescue Center by providing new dormitories, 00:20:03.26\00:20:06.03 staff housing and more. 00:20:06.07\00:20:08.84 But a crucial element of campus success 00:20:08.87\00:20:11.34 is dependent on water. 00:20:11.37\00:20:13.48 New bathrooms, showers and thriving gardens 00:20:13.51\00:20:16.14 require a strong water source. 00:20:16.18\00:20:19.18 Something that the campus currently does not have. 00:20:19.21\00:20:22.65 The existing well is failing. 00:20:22.68\00:20:24.92 And the school has had to purchase water 00:20:24.95\00:20:26.96 for basic needs. 00:20:26.99\00:20:28.62 Unfortunately, 00:20:28.66\00:20:30.03 hydrogeology reports reveal 00:20:30.06\00:20:31.59 that the chances of finding a good water source 00:20:31.63\00:20:34.23 on campus is dismal. 00:20:34.30\00:20:36.30 The decision was made to drill a well 00:20:36.33\00:20:39.57 over by the church 00:20:39.60\00:20:40.94 where they're based on geographic studies, 00:20:40.97\00:20:45.87 it was determined to be the best location 00:20:45.91\00:20:47.71 even though there was an awful lot of reason to be skeptical, 00:20:47.74\00:20:53.52 it was determined that 00:20:53.55\00:20:55.15 if there was gonna be water on this property, 00:20:55.18\00:20:58.32 that's the location where we would find it. 00:20:58.35\00:21:00.99 The day actually of the drilling, 00:21:04.39\00:21:08.03 all of the children came out, 00:21:08.06\00:21:10.50 as well as the volunteers 00:21:10.57\00:21:12.00 and all staff came out to the drilling site. 00:21:12.03\00:21:15.17 And we had sort of a worship experience 00:21:15.20\00:21:19.27 and a lot of prayer 00:21:19.31\00:21:20.68 before we actually kind of started everything on. 00:21:20.71\00:21:23.28 The crew anticipated they would be drilling for days 00:21:34.56\00:21:37.26 as any water would be deep in the ground 00:21:37.33\00:21:39.49 if there was water at all. 00:21:39.53\00:21:42.53 But the next day, 00:21:42.56\00:21:43.90 the entire campus was met with a miracle. 00:21:43.97\00:21:47.24 Just around 11 am there came the operator, 00:21:47.27\00:21:52.01 Gerald came running over to where we were working. 00:21:52.04\00:21:55.94 You could tell he was beside himself. 00:21:55.98\00:21:58.81 He was, he couldn't believe it. 00:21:58.85\00:22:00.85 He was just like, I can't believe it. 00:22:00.92\00:22:03.49 I just had to come tell you people, we got water. 00:22:03.52\00:22:07.96 When I first heard that there was water. 00:22:07.99\00:22:12.16 And we were all running to the well. 00:22:12.19\00:22:15.76 My heart was just beating. 00:22:15.80\00:22:18.27 And my whole soul was just rejoicing 00:22:18.30\00:22:21.90 that we had water at this school, 00:22:21.94\00:22:24.51 they needed it so badly. 00:22:24.54\00:22:27.18 And it was just an overwhelming experience 00:22:27.21\00:22:30.58 to know that God hears you. 00:22:30.65\00:22:33.52 He hears these kids and knows what their needs are, 00:22:33.55\00:22:39.05 and has just provided it so abundantly. 00:22:39.09\00:22:44.23 I've never seen this done. 00:22:44.26\00:22:46.80 I've read about this, 00:22:46.83\00:22:48.73 but to be an eyewitness 00:22:48.76\00:22:51.27 to see this happening before your eyes, 00:22:51.30\00:22:53.64 to be able to experience the emotions 00:22:53.67\00:22:58.07 and to experience a miracle. 00:22:58.11\00:23:00.78 It took my breath away. It was profoundly amazing. 00:23:00.81\00:23:05.48 The miracle of water 00:23:20.50\00:23:21.83 felt like the pinnacle of the mission trip. 00:23:21.86\00:23:24.63 Yet just a couple days later, 00:23:24.67\00:23:26.87 the volunteers had another climactic event, the dormitory. 00:23:26.94\00:23:32.41 After six days of construction 00:23:32.44\00:23:34.08 with a relatively small team of volunteers, 00:23:34.11\00:23:36.85 the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center 00:23:36.88\00:23:39.38 celebrated the opening of a new dormitory. 00:23:39.41\00:23:42.38 Probably the highlight is the girls coming 00:23:45.59\00:23:48.36 to get us out of our chairs 00:23:48.39\00:23:50.83 and bring us up to the dorm and going in with us. 00:23:50.86\00:23:55.60 When we walked into the dorm, 00:23:55.63\00:23:58.00 I had two girls with me 00:23:58.03\00:23:59.37 and they said, "This is my bunk. 00:23:59.40\00:24:01.80 This is my bunk." 00:24:01.84\00:24:03.91 That was kind of special. 00:24:03.94\00:24:06.04 Oh, they were so excited 00:24:06.07\00:24:09.81 that they were going to have a bed of their own. 00:24:09.84\00:24:13.05 I had to jump up and down with my girls 00:24:13.08\00:24:16.12 during the dedication of our second dormitory, 00:24:16.15\00:24:22.06 having in mind now 00:24:22.09\00:24:23.43 that all my girls will be occupied 00:24:23.46\00:24:26.13 in the new dormitory. 00:24:26.16\00:24:27.66 They will have the new beddings, 00:24:27.70\00:24:29.83 the new mattresses, 00:24:29.86\00:24:31.43 their dress and some of them were telling me, 00:24:31.47\00:24:33.20 you know in my life 00:24:33.23\00:24:34.57 I've never covered myself with this. 00:24:34.60\00:24:36.81 I'm just using to, used to a blanket. 00:24:36.84\00:24:39.71 My heart is so filled and I just thought, wow, 00:24:39.74\00:24:41.51 I wish I could be here the first night 00:24:41.54\00:24:42.98 that they are able to lay in their beds 00:24:43.01\00:24:44.71 and just be here as you might have like 00:24:44.75\00:24:46.08 a girl slumber party 00:24:46.11\00:24:47.98 in the dorms because it's so amazing, 00:24:48.02\00:24:50.39 it's so amazing. 00:24:50.42\00:24:52.15 When the dorm was finished, 00:24:52.19\00:24:53.56 the objective of the mission trip 00:24:53.59\00:24:54.92 was completed too. 00:24:54.96\00:24:56.66 New building, new dorm, new beds. 00:24:56.73\00:25:00.30 The physical goals have been met. 00:25:00.33\00:25:03.67 As for the spiritual goals, 00:25:03.70\00:25:05.87 the transformational experience with the volunteers, 00:25:05.90\00:25:08.87 the blessings were as ample as the water 00:25:08.90\00:25:11.21 that rushed from the new well. 00:25:11.24\00:25:12.74 For Jane, 00:25:15.71\00:25:17.05 her time at Kajiado has been surprising 00:25:17.08\00:25:19.05 given her long history in the mission field. 00:25:19.08\00:25:21.12 For years, 00:25:21.15\00:25:22.48 she and her husband 00:25:22.52\00:25:23.89 were long and short-term missionaries 00:25:23.92\00:25:25.29 that served in 40 different countries. 00:25:25.32\00:25:28.22 After her husband died, 00:25:28.26\00:25:29.59 Jane never thought she'd return to the field. 00:25:29.62\00:25:32.49 But now she's been on two Maranatha mission trips 00:25:32.53\00:25:35.40 and she says they have changed her life. 00:25:35.43\00:25:38.47 I don't know if it's because I know the story of why, 00:25:38.50\00:25:43.27 why this school was started, 00:25:43.30\00:25:45.51 and how it's saving these young girls lives 00:25:45.54\00:25:49.31 and just giving them life. 00:25:49.34\00:25:52.81 But this has been absolutely 00:25:52.85\00:25:55.02 the most incredible mission experience 00:25:55.05\00:25:58.05 of my entire 80 plus years. 00:25:58.09\00:26:01.79 Kristi's first mission trip has been a wonderful way 00:26:01.82\00:26:04.06 to connect with a cause 00:26:04.13\00:26:05.46 that was close to her mother's heart, 00:26:05.49\00:26:07.30 and understand why her parents 00:26:07.33\00:26:08.90 not only supported Maranatha financially, 00:26:08.93\00:26:11.90 but also served on mission trips. 00:26:11.93\00:26:15.64 What we get back 00:26:15.67\00:26:17.04 from giving on the ground is huge. 00:26:17.11\00:26:19.84 And I think that enables us 00:26:19.87\00:26:21.48 then as people to go back into our community 00:26:21.51\00:26:23.98 and share with them 00:26:24.05\00:26:25.38 the needs and what goes on here. 00:26:25.41\00:26:27.15 This is a form of worship. 00:26:27.22\00:26:29.22 It's not enough to just, I can write a check any time, 00:26:29.25\00:26:32.15 that would be fine 00:26:32.19\00:26:33.56 and that would help other people. 00:26:33.59\00:26:34.92 But for me to come 00:26:34.96\00:26:36.29 and really give an experience that 00:26:36.32\00:26:37.69 is that true Christian in action. 00:26:37.73\00:26:40.93 Dwanna and Eddie came in search of vacations with a purpose, 00:26:40.96\00:26:44.80 a way to see and serve the world. 00:26:44.83\00:26:47.70 What they found was transformative. 00:26:47.74\00:26:50.11 It was a transformation 00:26:50.14\00:26:51.47 that started on the very first day. 00:26:51.51\00:26:53.58 Eddie recalls the first night. 00:26:53.61\00:26:55.74 And my wife kind of heard me sobbing that night, which is, 00:26:55.78\00:27:00.12 you know, it just got me, you got me right here, 00:27:00.15\00:27:02.15 really did, and to see what Maranatha is doing. 00:27:02.18\00:27:08.12 It changed my perspective as a Christian, it really did. 00:27:08.16\00:27:12.23 But I remember something very profound. 00:27:12.26\00:27:14.76 And as I'm contemplating it, 00:27:14.80\00:27:17.47 Jesus had said at one point 00:27:17.50\00:27:19.10 thy can now come on earth as it is in heaven. 00:27:19.13\00:27:23.07 So now, I'm like, 00:27:23.10\00:27:24.94 I'm understanding that to me 00:27:24.97\00:27:26.88 what we can do now for His kingdom 00:27:26.91\00:27:29.94 is far more important 00:27:29.98\00:27:31.31 than just watching for Him to come. 00:27:31.35\00:27:35.42 Thank you Maranatha for the new dorm. 00:27:35.45\00:27:40.06 May God bless you. 00:27:43.53\00:27:45.43