Adventures in Kenya, 2025
Marilyn Wolf, September 2, 2025
As someone who was born with a disability (congenital scoliosis), I was naturally drawn to the ministry of Women of Hope, based in Sierra Leone, when I first heard about it years ago. From that beginning emerged another entity, Accessible Hope International, which focused on changing the erroneous views about people with disabilities still held in many parts of the world. I have been an ardent supporter of both organizations, along with my husband, Steve.
A year ago, I traveled to Sierra Leone to participate in a five-day course offered by Accessible Hope International. Completing the course meant I was now qualified and committed to training others in the same materials, in order to spread the concepts that people with disabilities are made in the image of God, precious to Him, and worthy to be invited as co-workers in His kingdom here on earth.
This year, the invitation came: A group of people in Kenya wanted to be trained to train others in their own sphere of influence with the same concepts, for the same outcome. Plans were made, dates were set, and in early August, accompanied by Steve, I was in Nairobi, making lasting friendships and connections with 20 people with a heart for caring for and serving with people with disabilities.
For four days, under an expansive tent, my co-facilitator and I shared the concepts and activities provided in the course materials on a variety of topics. The six men and fourteen women were eager to learn and were very invested in everything we did. They formed connections with each other that will continue through the coming year via a WhatsApp group.
Each of them made a plan, committing to some specific actions back at their own place of influence to put into practice what we’d learned and to help others learn and grow.
Participants were asked to be very active learners, doing skits to illustrate what they were learning. They were eager to work together to help reinforce the concepts we were covering, with enthusiasm and not a little laughter, as well.
On the final afternoon, we had a celebration. To our surprise, Steve and I, along with my co-facilitator, Rosaliene and her friend, Rosemary, who had come along to help, were presented with a special gift: each of us received a “Masai blanket”, a bright, colorful blanket with a vivid lining, similar to what those in the Masai tribe use regularly.
Some special memories that I treasure include the singing that the group did every time we needed to assemble after a break. It gave us joy to see and hear the musical expressions of their faith. We also had a birthday party for one of the young men as he turned 27. The delight on his face was priceless, and he shared with us that this was the first birthday party he had ever had!
Afterwards, they reflected back on the experience very positively, ready with an action plan to share with the folks in their home area. They also have committed to participating in four conference calls via WhatsApp in the coming year, for support and encouragement in continuing to help their church families and co-workers grow in their response to people with disabilities.
Some feedback that we got included this touching story:
Greetings from Lake Baringo
Follow up from Mary
I would like to share the story of Kandie, whom we visited yesterday. He has cerebral palsy and is unable to walk, has limited use of his arms/hands and struggles to speak. He uses a phone to type what he wants to say. During our training we asked the question; Can God use anyone with a disability? As I sat with Kandie I wondered how God could use someone in his situation. We shared with them the Woodcarver story. Then Kandie’s mother started telling us how people often like to text Kandie when they are struggling and stressed as he has compassion and has time for them. He likes to encourage people and share his faith and uses an audio bible. Once there had been a man who was very suicidal and Kandie had kept messaging him which led to the man going to church the next day and becoming a Christian.
Join us on September 21 at 2pm for a time to share in our experiences.