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Special Extended Edition: February Kenya Trip | |
From the Seed Of Hope team | |
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I've been blessed to serve in missions for over 18 years through going, praying or giving and if I had to choose between the three going is my absolute favorite! The joy that my soul feels when I'm able to be used by God to reach his people through the gospel and see the tangible benefits of basic needs met, education supported, the youth empowered, mothers encouraged, boys smiling and it's done with love, joy, cheer and a sincere heart! Now that's rewarding.
The Seed of Hope 2025 mission trip was very strategic by God. He knew what Nairobi Kenya needed at this particular time and he knew that this team needed to see him in a new way and I believe those we met were impacted and will be forever touched just as the team will be forever changed. We were all a blessing to one another.
It was a honor and humbling to see new friendships and sisterhood established through workshops, encouragement, prayer, tears, release, breakthrough and love. Each trip gets greater and greater with God. I'm glad to have been chosen to see God's hand move mightily. There is still work to be done and it is my prayer that those reading would make a intentional decision to GO, PRAY, or GIVE. There is much work to be done, YOU are needed and it's OK 2 to use your gifts, talents, business, organization, club, skills to join forces and serve God's people!
Blessings and Nakupenda!
Dr. Lolita Cleveland
Chicago, IL
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Contentment: A Moment of Gratitude
While serving in Kenya, there was one moment that stopped me in my tracks—two young girls standing side by side, arms wrapped around each other, looking out into their world with a sense of peace and unity. It’s a simple image, yet it speaks volumes about what truly matters.
I call this photo “Contentment.” It’s a reminder that joy isn’t always found in having more, going further, or chasing what’s next. Sometimes, it’s found in pausing, being present, and appreciating the blessings right in front of you.
These girls weren’t surrounded by material abundance, yet their connection and quiet companionship reflected something so many of us strive for: gratitude, simplicity, and contentment.
This image will hang in my home as a daily reminder to slow down, to appreciate the present, and to hold close the people who matter most. It’s a visual call to pause for gratitude and Thank God—no matter where I am, what I have, or what’s happening around me.
As you go about your day, I encourage you to take a moment. Breathe in, look around, and find your own moment of contentment. Because sometimes, the most profound lessons come from the simplest sights. God is everywhere!
Thank you Kenya for reminding me of the beauty in simplicity, the strength in community, the power of gratitude, and magnitude of God’s love.
Your Hope Dealer, Gwendolyn
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There were so many favorite moments I had in Kenya, it was hard just to narrow them down! But for me, these were the moments that made the most impact on me for different reasons.
The first was the mothers and daughters. When I first came to Kenya, I knew I was there to serve the girls, but what the Lord did during those three days made it so much more impactful. He showed me what it truly meant to serve and connect. The moms were just as blessed as their daughters and they both got to share in a bonding experience they will never forget. They were able to express themselves in ways that were so beautiful, raw, and emotional. But the thing that got me the most was the hugging moment. For three minutes, the moms and daughters embrace each other in a way that I don’t think they get to often express. There were so many tears and breakthroughs. It made me miss my own mother at that moment and I gained a greater appreciation for her. Just like these mothers, she poured so much into me, which included getting me to Kenya to begin with. I think she must have heard me because at that moment, I received a text from her saying “I love you.” I will never forget that. That was a turning point for me.
The second was the children, both from St. Mary Academy and Victory School. These children I feel represent a lot of what I saw in Kenya. Some of these areas were not suitable for anyone to live in. From polluted streets and waterways to buildings made out of whatever is available, it is hard to describe just how bad some of these situations were. But whenever you enter the building of one of these schools or other places we went to, what I saw was smiles. Smiles that were happy to see us. Smiles that were full of joy. Laughter that could be heard. Genuine gratitude. A resilience and hope-filled spirit I have never seen before. Creativity that was full of expression and wonder. And a love for the Lord. It is one thing to see photos and videos of these children. It is another thing to meet them and see their love and joy. To be hugged by them. To speak to them. To interact and connect with them. It makes you look at your own circumstances differently and it certainly calls you to a greater level of action to serve. I know it did for me.
Finally, I have to say that it was the Dorcas Destiny International team that impacted me the most. What I saw was a group of people who loved what they did and were willing to pour out so much of themselves to serve. I saw a genuine love for the people. You are showing people the love of Christ and what it truly means to serve. You are not just talking about making change. You are actively doing it. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of this opportunity. It was wonderful working with you all as part of the Seed of Hope ministry! I genuinely don’t think I can describe the impact you all made on me justice. All I know is that this describes my feelings perfectly.
Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
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We received an invitation to come to Kenya and provide the Life 101 program that we provide here in the states, and it proved once again, that Love and Total Unconditional Acceptance are universal.
What it reveals is the Father's heart and deep love for each uniquely created individual. I believe every human craves a father's love, The Father's Love, whether they know it or not.
When you see the treasures of life, joy, love, and trust in a child's eyes, I can see why Jesus said in Matthew 18:6, that it's better that a millstone should be hung around the neck of anyone who causes a little one to fall who believes in Him. And that we must come to and receive the kingdom as a little child in Matthew 18:3.
So, seeing and experiencing Donna's passion and courage, you can't help but go, send, or sow.
My heart has been enlarged for Kenya. We also support missions in India and will continue to partner, collaborate, pray, sow, send, and go wherever the Father calls or sends.
In the midst of all that we saw, I saw people that God loves and that Christ died for, especially the children, those babies, and young people. - Matthew 5:8
I saw young people committed to the DDI vision and Mission, and my heart was enlarged for them and prayer and support for their success, they are the boots or the hands of Christ on the ground. They love the people and have a heart for the children, so we must empower them through prayer and any other support that we can.
Our heart was enlarged for the moms who brought their girls out and were transformed in the process. But it's just beginning.
I'm clear on my purpose, I am a seed sower, we sow seeds of the word of God, on purpose for a harvest. Sometimes we water, but God gives the increase, which we experienced on this trip.
Sow the seed, carry the rivers of living water, and BE the light for the promise within each individual and fruit for the glory of God.
Coach J
Seed of Hope Foundation
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God's Love & Self-Love
This day was very special for our daughters and moms to experience a deeper level of communication. It was the day that the DDI and Seed of Hope Project team focused on the power of words and self-love. We couldn't discuss these matters without highlighting God's love. God's agape love is who He is. According to 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us." Our goal was for the families to know what love was and how to express love to each other. The challenge was for them to practice what was learned daily to bond and experience the agape love of the Father God.
The activities included, I Am and I Deserve declarations to make a bold statement in their journals to remember forever. We also gave each daughter a Valentine's Day gift and closed the session by singing the song, while holding hands, I need you to survive. There was an exchange made of a warm embrace and sweet tears that could only come from a real place.
Apostle Tiffany L. Robinson
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I mentioned to one of my roommates during our recent stay in Kenya, that I couldn't believe we were missionaries and she responded in a jokingly, yet matter-of-fact way that she wasn't a missionary, but someone who went on a short mission trip! She further explained how heart-wrenching our first day was in the village we visited and how difficult it would be to deal with such devastation for an extended period of time. I could totally relate as we continued to process our thoughts and emotions.
As I layed in my bed at the end of our first day I asked myself "If we didn't have the lodging and food accommodations that were provided during our trip, could I do this for more than a day?". My head immediately said "no", but my heart responded differently as the days went by and I had an opportunity to spend quality time with a select group of teenage girls, their mothers and the precious little children from the church and schools we visited.
A missionary is defined as "one sent to spread a religious faith among unbelievers or to engage in charitable work with religious support. I don't know the religious beliefs of all of the Kenyans I had the pleasure of meeting while in Nairobi and if anything I did drew them closer to the Lord, but I am totally convinced that my participation in the Seed of Hope and DDI educational enrichment projects while there was time well spent and sowed into fertile soil. I also know God had His hand in EVERY aspect of our visit, -- before, during and after as I endeavor to recruit others to support and participate in future DDI projects and trips to Kenya.
Does that make me a missionary? Maybe or maybe not, but a seed for missions was planted in my heart during this trip thanks to Donna Werner and her amazing Dorcas Destiny International team and I am forever grateful and changed.
Tia Harrison
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The Work of the Ministry Conference | |
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Our dedicated team ministered in three towns in Kenya—Ruiru, Nairobi, Siaya, and Opoya—sharing the Word of God with pastors and church leaders.
This conference was a powerful time of teaching, spiritual renewal, and encouragement, empowering leaders to serve their communities with greater impact.
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We are excited to announce our upcoming June 2025 Missions Trip, an opportunity to serve, uplift, and bring hope to children and the communities in need. This mission will focus on providing essential supplies, ministering the gospel, and supporting initiatives that empower individual children and families.
Whether through prayer, financial support, or joining us on the ground, you can be a part of this life-changing journey. Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and make a lasting impact!
Visit https://DorcasDestinyIntl.org to get a comprehensive view of all our programs and activities! You can also find us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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The DDI USA and Kenyan team visited Lang’ata Maximum Security Women’s Prison as our last event prior to returning home. We had a glorious time with the women and children.
We donated 650 rolls of toilet tissue for the women in Remand, and bought milk and biscuits for all 35 children.
This visit also provided a meaningful opportunity for Pastor Steve, Pastor Craig, and Pastor Eric to minister to the women, sharing the gospel of hope and trust in the Lord.
Together, we brought comfort, encouragement, and support to those in need.
It was also an opportunity to purchase some of the merchandise made by the women, such as bags, sweaters, wristbands, and mats. Fifty percent of the money from these sales directly support the incarcerated women and their children.
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