June 3, 2002
Student missions preparation begins before packing
___By Teresa Young
___Wayland Baptist University
___PLAINVIEW--Student summer missions trips require much more than simply packing a suitcase and hopping on a plane or bus.
___At Wayland Baptist University, 13 students traveling to Kenya as a special impact team with the Baptist General Convention of Texas began their preparations long before spring semester classes ended.
Wayland students Crystal Morton, Adam Gibbs, Geoff Brocato and Zack Greer help Christa Smith, associate professor of modern languages and English, cut fruit for a salad. With help from hosts Vaughn and Johnene Ross, the group cooked a traditional Kenyan meal in preparation for their mission trip in July.
___Wayland Baptist Student Ministry Director Donnie Brown will accompany the group on the three-week adventure, along with Professor of Science Vaughn Ross and his wife, Johnene, who formerly served as missionaries to Kenya.
___The group leaves July 12 and will work at Nyeri Baptist High School and several children's homes in Kenya, in addition to conducting evangelistic efforts with South Asians living in Africa and working with missionaries to the Samburu tribe.
___"We'll be working at the high school for four days, building a basketball court and doing basic maintenance projects like painting. We'll also be visiting three children's homes and doing day camps there," Brown said.
___Although the trip involves service projects, Brown said evangelistic work will be woven throughout the mission.
___In preparation for the trip and the evangelistic efforts, Ross taught a class during the spring semester that covered all the basics of African culture and customs, from clothing to gender roles as well as the geography of the land. Students also learned some Swahili and are able to sing several songs--including the traditional hymn "How Great Thou Art"--and give a short testimony in the African language.
___Practical packing tips and evangelistic strategies and current efforts also were explored during the classes. One Saturday, the Rosses hosted the students for a traditional Kenyan meal in their home, with students taking an active role in food preparation.
___Students raised their own funds for the trip. The group also collected new toys to take to the children's homes and is raising an additional $500 to cover materials for maintenance work at the Baptist high school.
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