When we planned our trip to Kenya, we went with one purpose in mind:

To serve.

We wanted to help, to give, to make a difference in whatever small ways we could.

But what we didn’t expect…

Was how much it would change us.

More Than a Service Trip

This opportunity was made possible through our business and the flexibility that homeschooling provides.

Because we’re not tied to a rigid schedule, we were able to say yes to something bigger than ourselves.

And I’m so grateful we did.

Because this wasn’t just a trip.

It was an experience that shifted our perspective in ways we didn’t anticipate.

The People We Met

While we were there, we had the opportunity to visit the home of a woman in the village we stayed in.

She was a single mother of three.

But what stood out wasn’t her circumstances…

It was her strength.

A Life Built Through Hard Work

She had built one of the largest homesteads in her area through pure determination and effort.

She grew:

• Maize (corn) and vegetables
• Raised goats, chickens, and cows
• Rented out her cows to help others with farm work (and provide income for herself)

She also ran a grain mill, grinding grain for others in the village to earn income.

She wasn’t waiting for opportunities.

She was creating them.

The Part That Stayed With Us

We were invited into her home.

She showed us:

• How she weaves mats and baskets
• How beans are harvested and dried
• How she manages her land and resources

She shared her knowledge so freely.

And in that moment, it became clear…

We may have come to serve but we were the ones learning.

A Shift in Perspective

Her living conditions were simple.

But her mindset?

Incredible.

She was motivated, resourceful, and focused on building a better life for her children.

Being there was an eye-opener.

It reminded us just how blessed we are in ways we often take for granted.

Why Service Matters

Service has a way of bringing you back to what really matters.

It pulls you out of routine.

It shifts your focus.

It reminds you:

• What’s important
• What’s possible
• And how much we can learn from others

The Gift of Flexibility

Homeschooling gave us the ability to take this trip.

To step outside of our normal environment.

To give our children experiences that go far beyond a textbook.

And this is one of the greatest gifts of homeschooling:

The freedom to say yes to opportunities like this.

A Lesson We’ll Never Forget

We didn’t just see a different way of life.

We saw:

• Strength
• Creativity
• Determination
• Gratitude

And those are lessons that stay with you.

Final Thought

We went to Kenya thinking we would serve.

And we did.

But we also came home with something we didn’t expect:

A deeper appreciation.

A new perspective.

And a reminder of what truly matters.

Because Sometimes…

The greatest lessons don’t come from what we give…

But from what we’re willing to receive.