Hey there!
My hometown newspaper, The Record Herald published an article about my internship to Kenya. I have copied the article below and there's a link to the webpage. :)
WHS grad heading to Nairobi
Abbey Miller
Staff Writer
Going to a slum in Kenya doesn't sound like an ideal trip for most people. However, Brandi Wilcox can't wait. The Washington C.H. native is anxiously counting down the days until she spreads God's word to Nairobi, Kenya.
Wilcox will be joining 17 others- students from U.S universities as well as Kenyan nationals- in the Mathare Valley slum. A square mile slum outside of Nairobi, Methare Valley is home to 800,000 people. The trip is part of an internship program through Christian Missionary Fellowship International.
"I'm really excited to share how God has worked in my life over the past four years," said Wilcox.
The Trine University accounting major has had her share of hardships, and credits God with carrying her through tough times. Wilcox left her family as a teen due to domestic violence, and moved in with a friend's family. That family is no longer part of her life.
Trine University is located in Angola, Ind.
"I'm currently homeless right now, but God has provided for me," Wilcox said."Every summer I have somewhere to stay."
Wilcox's story is awe-inspiring, but her sunny disposition and bubbly personality make her history almost unbelievable.
"I don't want my personality to be compromised because of something that happened to me," she said.
Wilcox says she became a Christian her freshman year of college.
"I got involved with Christian Campus House," she said." I thought, there is something different about these people, they are happy all the time. I realized it was because of Christ's love."
The friends she made at through the organization have helped her overcome past events, and maintain her joyful spirit. "They helped me forgive all the past hurts in my life," she said.
Though there are risks involved with a trip of this nature, Wilcox is fearless. Not even the 35 hours of travelling has dampened her spirits. When speaking on her feelings about the trip, her disposition teetered on the edge of giddy.
"I'm not scared of anything, I'm just really really excited." she said. "I'm excited to be around people who have nothing but they still have so much joy because of what God has given them!"
The group will be aiding in Evangelism, vocational training, health-care, micro-enterprise, and educational training of slum inhabitants. Wilcox and the others will be going into the slum everyday making home visits, school visits, and assisting in HIV/AIDS education.
Though she isn't exactly vacationing, Wilcox is responsible for a portion of the costs involved with a humanitarian trip of this scale. With airfare, housing, and meals, Wilcox is responsible for $5,672 out of pocket, which she is raising through donations.
"In one day I raised $1,250," she said. "I only have $890 left to go. I am in awe of how God is providing for my trip."
Wilcox's journey to Kenya will not be her first mission trip, and she hopes it will not be her last. "My first trip was in 2009 to Dungannon, Va.," she said. "I just really feel that full time missionary work is what I'm called to do."
Wilcox regards the trip as both a learning experience and an opportunity for self discovery.
"I want to learn more about evangelism and live in a country with nothing," she said. "It will take me one step closer to seeing where God has called me long term."
Isn't this sweet? :)
In Christ,
Brandi :)
