2026 CLC Mission Helper Trip to East Africa

The 2026 Missionary Team in Kenya had a big day today! We spent the day in Kitale, doing outreach in the community, courtesy of Pastor Calvin Luvisha, the pastor at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church (a CLC church in Kitale). Today we visited one church and two schools - all three are not yet members of the CLC, but were keen to hear our message. First, we visited Bethel church (an independent Christian church not yet affiliated with the CLC). The drive was about 45 minutes away from where we stayed, and we picked up Pastor Luvisha along the way to accompany us. The building itself was small and made of the clay walls and corrugated metal roof that we've seen so often here, but that didn't stop them from blaring a speaker system in order to call in anyone from around the neighborhood to stop by to hear the gospel! Here, we did things a little differently than usual for our team - we split, so Pastor Tom could sit insid...

This post somehow was missed and I should have gone on the 15 th  about the 14th. Yesterday took us farther east into one of the most remote areas we have visited on this trip. It took nearly four hours just to reach the dirt road. From there, we traveled another hour, first along rough dirt roads and then completely off road across dry lake beds before finally arriving at the congregation where Pastor Israel serves. Standing at the site of the new church building, I couldn’t help but smile. Construction is moving slowly, but faithfully. It was another reminder that Christ continues to build His Church, often in places that most of the world will never see. The building may be simple, but the Gospel proclaimed there is the same Gospel that is preached throughout the world. One of the photos I am sharing today is of a small shelter belonging to a widow in the community. It is still waiting for a roof. The congregation has quietly taken on the work of helping care for widows like ...

Here are a few more pictures from yesterday at Matala Primary School and along the way. The day included joyful children, encouraging pastors, a quick lunch, good fellowship, and several memorable moments with the team. We were also blessed with a beautiful view of Mount Kilimanjaro , which made the day feel even more special. Each picture captures a small part of what the Lord has allowed us to experience here. We are grateful for the people we have met, the Gospel we have been able to share, and the joy that has filled these final days of the trip. In Christ, Jeff Radichel Tanzania Mission Helper Trip

Yesterday began with a drive to Matala Primary School  near Himo, where we were welcomed by approximately 260 students and 10 teachers . A number of district pastors also came to the school and watched as we presented. Their presence and enthusiasm were deeply encouraging. They saw the children listening, participating, and hearing about Jesus, and they were excited about the opportunity for this kind of ministry in their communities. By God’s grace, our presentations have become more natural as the days have gone on. Instead of thinking so much about what comes next, we are simply able to enjoy being with the children and sharing the message. One moment that made me smile happened before we even arrived. The vehicle was completely full, so Sarah ended up riding on my lap for part of the trip. We laughed along the way, and sometimes those unexpected moments become the memories we treasure most. Bruce always has a wonderful way of connecting with the children. His five finger il...

Today we taught at two schools in Moi's Bridge here in Kenya. We started out at Baraton Academy and taught about 40 kids. When signing the guest book there, we actually looked back and found Tom's signature from 14 years ago! Then we headed over to Mustard Seed School, where we taught about 180 kids. This was the first time the Mission Helpers have been to this particular school. Neither of these schools are part of the KCLC; they both have Christian Religious Education (CRE) in their curriculum. After teaching, we visited one of the pastors here, Pastor Samson, at his home. Then we went to visit the family of one of the elders of the church, John, who passed away last week. What a unique experience and blessing to have the chance to share a devotion with them and share love and encouragement in our Savior's victory over death. In Kenya, the prosperity gospel is widely taught. Many of these children believe that God wants believers to be healthy and rich, and if yo...

Yesterday began in one of the most remote places we have visited during this trip. After a short night of sleep, we returned to the church and spent more time with the congregation before beginning the long journey back. We shared a little tea in the morning, which was especially appreciated by Jeremiah. It had taken us about five hours to reach the congregation the day before, and that did not include the final travel across the dry lake beds. Being there again that morning reminded me how many faithful Christians gather in places most of the world will never see. Before we left, the congregation presented us with several thoughtful gifts, including necklaces, shoes, and a rooster. We later named the rooster Ashe , pronounced “A-shay,” which means “thank you” in Maa. More than the gifts themselves, we appreciated the kindness and fellowship they represented. One conversation that stood out was with the daughter of the head elder. She knew some English and asked thoughtful...

The pictures didn’t go through on my previous post and the blog doesn’t make a whole lot of sense without them! Here they are… -Josh

Today’s travels took us to a newly constructed church in Shimabala, Zambia. Though not as common a custom in Africa as it is in Asia, the children of the congregation removed their shoes before entering their church. It is a visual that brings to mind Romans 10:15, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Though I doubt there is a person in the world who would describe our feet as “beautiful”, the Holy Spirit does. Feet are dirty and smelly, but when God uses them bring the Gospel to others, they are beautiful! The feet that these shoes belong to are beautiful feet as well, for the Lord can use the voices of little children to proclaim the peace we have in the forgiveness of sins. We heard it ourselves as the children sang songs of praise after our lessons! Please keep these children and their feet in your prayers that they may hear and believe the simple Gospel message we are privileged to share with them...

Hello from Uchira, Tanzania - I would like to take a moment to thank all the CLC ladies' groups and others who donated for the small gifts for the MHT children. Here in Tanzania we found inexpensive zipper bags and colored pencil sets. We also produced a coloring page booklet with 7 Bible stories in Swahili. The children received them enthusiastically - "Asante sana!" (Thank you very much!) 

Elijah sumey Today we drove to Holy Cross Lutheran Church / Emmaus School in Moi’s bridge, and preached to around 125 children. They were extremely grateful we were there and it was a pleasure to be around them and preach to them. They were very strong in their biblical knowledge. Afterward we had lunch with Mary Sagala at a Choma Zone in Moi’s bridge. The goat was delicious and the hot cayenne peppers made everything better. Today, Tom went for a run in the morning and Abby and I ran in the afternoon. Lots of kenyan children ran with us. Elijah sumey

Team Tanzania - Monday Mission - Paula Naumann Monday was a very full day. As Jeff posted, we presented at two different schools. Our program begins with a song, we sing songs between each different speaker, and end with a song - all in Swahili! Thankfully, the Swahili language is not tricky. Every letter is pronounced, and always makes the same sound, so you can sing even if you don’t know the meaning of the words. Bruce plays the guitar, and we encourage the children to sing along. Here is our line up: Siku Ni Hii (This is the Day the Lord Has Made) Neno Lake Mungu (The Word of God) Jesu Kwetu Ni Rafiki (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) Anipenda ni Kweli (Jesus Loves Me) Liko Mlango Moja Wazi (There is One Open Door) Mungu Ni Pendo (God is Love) These melodies are fun to sing, and hard to get out of your head. We pray that the lessons we are sharing with the children about...

Monday was a very full day. As Jeff posted, we presented at two different schools. Our program begins with a song, we sing songs between each different speaker, and end with a song - all in Swahili! Thankfully, the Swahili language is not tricky. Every letter is pronounced, and always makes the same sound, so you can sing even if you don’t know the meaning of the words. Bruce plays the guitar, and we encourage the children to sing along. Here is our line up: Siku Ni Hii (This is the Day the Lord Has Made) Neno Lake Mungu (The Word of God) Jesu Kwetu Ni Rafiki (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) Anipenda ni Kweli (Jesus Loves Me) Liko Mlango Moja Wazi (There is One Open Door) Mungu Ni Pendo (God is Love) These melodies are fun to sing, and hard to get out of your head. We pray that the lessons we are sharing with the children about the real Jesus will also be thought of often and remembered forever.  We also went shopping in Arus...

On July 13th, we spent the school day at St. David's Lutheran Church and School in Etago, Kenya! When we arrived, all the children pre-primary through grade six were waiting for us eagerly outside! We all assembled in the main assembly building (the building they use for their church services), and after a few words from the pastor and a few elders and teachers, and a few songs from the children, we began our teaching program. After our teaching program was over, we ate lunch (most of the children go home for lunch, and come back for afternoon classes) and we got to speak with the teachers about what an average school day looks like in Kenya! They use an average grading scale with percentages for Exceeds Expectations, Meets Expectations, Approaching Expectations, and Below Expectations. The students are separated by grade for daily classes, much like in America, and have classes such as Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Writing, Technology, and mo...

It is hard to believe that Team Zambia has been here for four days already. With the lack of sleep and busy schedule, the days really blend together.  Having been on Tour Choir before, I've grown to appreciate worship through music more. One of the purest representations of what I imagine heaven might look like is people collectively praising God through song. It is such a unifying and beautiful experience. So when multiple different choir groups sang for the church service on Sunday, it made me feel very emotional picturing all of us rejoicing in heaven together. Even typing that last sentence made me get emotional thinking about it.  Life is hard. Everyone has problems, and lots of them. That can make the world a hard place to be. But when there are moments like these that make me think about what heaven is going to be like, when there will be no...