My Nairobi Kenya experience with Mr. & Mrs.  James Roy “Soup” Campbell
11/10 – 11/19 – 2022

Dr. Fred & Loretta Jones

Dr. Fred Jones

BEFORE:
Preparing for this trip was a leap of faith. It was an honor to be invited. We accepted and plowed through fear with faith in God.

DURING:
We were determined to follow specific instructions! So, on the flight I did NOT watch the clock as I was told, and we had an amazing brief and safe flight to Nairobi! This entire trip has been life changing but I want to share three transforming moments!

MARRIAGE MOMENT:
Watching closeup the way Mr. & Mrs. Campbell walked and moved as a couple showed me that I have a lot of work to do! Loretta chewed me out on night two and four regarding the way I was talking to her! I am deeply convicted and aware that I have a lot of work to do. I embarrassed myself.

MASSES MOMENT:
Just seeing the faces of the men, women, and children caused me great pause! As we were going into the gates of one of the private facilities the vendors were aggressive in approaching our van. We were told to close our windows.

So as one young lady was approaching our van with her hands covered and decorated with items to sell, I closed my window and turned my head so that there was no eye contact!

As she turned and walked away one of my co-passengers in the van heard the young lady say in a very touching tone as she walked away, “that’s low – that’s low.”

Those words landed! I’m not sure what to do with this moment but it will live with me for a longtime.

MESSAGE MOMENT:
The disciple-making message is beginning to find a home in my heart! Simply put, you DEMONSTRATE your message by always having a disciple with you. 

“And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

Mr. Campbell, your message to the Master’s Men was so on-point for me and my marriage! You stated, when men come to you with marriage problems you NEVER talk to them about the wife you ALWAYS begin with the man!

I walked out of that meeting thinking I’ve got work to do. 

SPECIFIC ACTION(S) I WILL TAKE AS A RESULT OF THIS TRIP?

#1. Let my wife know that she is top priority – put nothing above her.

#2. I will reinstate my 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit, The Advocates of Christ, and be more intentional about supporting entrepreneurship, education, and evangelistic disciple-making, starting in Africa!

#3. Say yes to the guys who are reaching out to me and put time on my schedule for disciple making. 

Finally, this is a trip to repeat and remember. 

Frederick Jones

Loretta Jones

First, I would like to thank both Mr. Soup and Mrs. Linda Campbell for allowing my husband and I the opportunity to experience such a trip.

This trip was life-changing for me. Often, we see images of others on pictures and television, and they soon evaporate from the mind. However, once viewing those same objects with the nature eye it seems to linger a bit longer. That is how I feel about my experience in Nairobi. I can’t seem to erase the looks of the children from my mind. The boys that were rescued from the street continue to tug at my heart. Now, the question in my mind is what am I to do once I’ve been exposed to such a need?

I’m still pondering how I can best help, but what I know for sure is that I will do something! This trip taught me that I have nothing to complain about. I learned the importance of having running water, lights, and a toilet. All of these are so common to us in the U.S., and we complain if we are without them for an hour. When I see how people are operating without the pleasure of having these so-called necessities, it humbles me. Even without these necessities I saw happy people. I looked into the eyes of children who had joy, while I was almost in tears as I looked at the conditions in which they live.

I was also intrigued by the work habits of the people. To say that Black people are lazy is a myth. I saw entrepreneurs all over the place. This really excited me, just to see people making a living for themselves. Initially, when I saw the men on the motorcycles, I thought they were just hanging out. I had no idea that they were actually working. I loved the entrepreneurial spirit.

What I learned about me on this trip is that I need to work on obeying first then trust. I’m usually asking the why questions before obeying. I want to know the end before the beginning. This causes me to look and question my spiritual walk with God. I really can’t explain it well but, obey first, and then trust really hit home for me. It showed me my weakness and I will do better in this area.