Missionaries from western Washington returned for the fifth time to Kenya, Africa, to assist Andrew and Debbie Aho of African Mission Services with projects for the Olopikidong'oe (o-le-picka-dong-way) Mixed Boarding School.
Girls typically receive two years of schooling and walk to school, while boys receive more schooling and on-site accommodations. The elementary boarding school in the Masai Mara provides a safe learning and living environment for 267 girls.
Rick Luce, from Bothell, has traveled to Kenya five times now to help with AMS projects, and returns each time "because of the children." With each trip, Luce and others pray for the right people with the right skills to volunteer to serve for a couple weeks in Africa.
The missionary families this year—32 people in all—represented the Bellevue, Bremerton, Federal Way and Kirkland churches in addition to students from Walla Walla University and Auburn Adventist Academy.
Their projects included finishing the dining hall; painting in the girls' dormitory and library; operating a medical clinic; and conducting a four-day Vacation Bible School for 600 children.
The dining hall and kitchen area represented the largest task, with the last screw fastened just moments before the closing ceremony on Friday. As Isaac Heckman, from the Federal Way Church, says, "This project was completed in God's time."
Jessica Sharman and Olivia Luce pass out soccer balls, jump ropes and Frisbees. (Kathy Fridlund)
From left: Andrew Sharman, Zach Gately, Zach Munroe, Josh Knowles and Ron Fridlund work on the ceiling project at Olopikidong'oe Boarding school. (Caitlin Fridlund)
"This is my safe home," says Ester, on right, standing in front of the girls' dorm with Caitlin Fridlund, center, and another friend. (Susan Milam)
Anthony Rima, from the Federal Way Church, helps put stickers on crowns donated by a local Burger King in Auburn, Wash. (Kathy Fridlund)
The walls of the serving and kitchen areas are nearing completion. The dining hall is on right. (Kathy Fridlund)
