Friends, what a wonderful season of growth we are experiencing here at The 410 Bridge! For those I haven’t had yet had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Chris Joiner.  I’ve had the privilege of working at The 410 Bridge for the past two years, first as Director of International Programs, then transitioning to President in 2023. Today, I am incredibly blessed to step into the role of CEO. As we begin this exciting journey as an organization, I want to share more about who I am, my heart for our mission, and where we are headed this year.

We are pleased to announce Chris Joiner as the new CEO of The 410 Bridge! Chris has served our organization for more than two years, initially as Director of International Programs and most recently as President. In both roles, Chris has demonstrated a commitment to servant-leadership and a deep passion for Christ-centered community development.  As President, Chris pioneered our expansion into three new countries this year: Indonesia, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.

A New Year frequently evokes a multitude of emotions, deeply influenced by various reasons based on the season of life one is at. For many, it symbolizes a rejuvenating fresh start—a precious opportunity to release the burdens of the past and embrace the future brimming with hope. This transition evokes excitement, particularly for school-age children returning to the classroom after a long break from school in November and December here in Kenya. While children are thrilled to reunite with their classmates and dive back into the classroom environment, they may also grapple with a sense of déjà vu; the inevitability of returning to homework, assignments, and the pressure of upcoming exams can cast a shadow over their eagerness for new beginnings.

Over the course of more than forty missionary trips in Guatemala, we shared God’s Word and experienced deeply emotional moments where His presence was undeniable. The hearts of missionary groups, community leaders, translators, and even our team were touched as we worked together to uplift these communities. It has truly been a year of transformation.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to share this exciting news with you!410 Bridge is expanding into Indonesia, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic! This monumental step marks a new chapter in our journey to transform lives and communities through Christ-centered partnerships.This expansion is rooted in the powerful words of Isaiah 54:2:“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back.”We believe this is a God-led call to broaden our reach and deepen the impact of our mission. Together with supporters like you, we are answering this call to expand and empower communities with hope and opportunity.

This season, inspired by the words of Isaiah 54:2, we’re embracing what we’re calling our Season of Expansion."Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes."This verse beautifully captures the vision before us—to broaden our impact, deepen our roots, and extend God’s Kingdom in new and meaningful ways.

In Guatemala, Christmas is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, with the birth of the Baby Jesus at the heart of the celebration. Guatemalan homes display handcrafted nacimientos (nativity scenes), often with intricate details of local daily life, such as figures of farmers, vendors, and scenes from nature. The festivities begin with the setting up of the nacimiento. 

Christmas in Kenya is a time of vibrant joy, deep-rooted traditions, and cherished family moments. From bustling cities to quiet villages, the holiday season is celebrated in unique and heartfelt ways, reflecting both modern influences and traditional practices.In Kenya's capital, Nairobi, Christmas comes alive with dazzling decorations. Buildings, malls, and churches are adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Streets glow with colorful displays, and festive songs fill the air, creating an atmosphere of cheer.

Exciting progress is underway in Kahuria Community! Recently, 43 trainees graduated from a four-week Business Skills Training (BST) program, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in entrepreneurship. This latest graduating class marks the seventh BST training session in Kahuria, bringing the total number of trained households to over 350 out of 459—a remarkable achievement for this vibrant community.

This month, we celebrated an incredible milestone at Mugaa Primary School—the completion of a brand-new 3-classroom block equipped with 120 lockers. This achievement is a testament to the power of community partnership and shared vision.

For 410 Bridge, Giving Tuesday isn’t just a single day of giving but a powerful reminder that transformation requires collective effort. When you support organizations like ours, you’re helping to redefine poverty alleviation and ensure sustainable change in communities.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from Kamaku Primary School in Ulu Community! Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, a brand-new latrine block has been completed, providing much-needed sanitation facilities to young students.

Despite the community’s green landscape due to its Mediterranean climate and proximity to Mt. Kenya, access to clean and safe water has been a long-standing struggle. For years, community members have had to fetch water from a shallow well using donkeys, motorbikes, or by carrying jerrycans on their backs.

When most of us think about mission trips, we often picture building houses, painting schools, or distributing food to those in need. While these projects may be important, they only scratch the surface of what mission work can really achieve. At 410 Bridge, we believe the true goal of missions goes beyond physical tasks—it’s about building people and investing in lasting relationships.

The last term of the year in Kenya is usually met with mixed reactions. Every high school student is excited and counting down to their final examination of the year that will majorly determine whether they progress to next class or not. Those in 12th grade are usually preparing to sit for their final high school exams.However, many students are currently at crossroads because the teachers are on a strike!

In July, I had the privilege of leading a Kenya Open team, and I’d love to share some of the experiences that left a lasting impact on me. Our team was a diverse group of 12 people from five U.S. states and Toronto, Canada, with five of us being repeat trip participants. It was a wonderful mix of individuals—some with deep knowledge of 410 Bridge and others who were just beginning to learn about our work.

We are thrilled to announce a fantastic addition to our 410 Bridge team - John Fosdick as our new Senior Relationship Officer! With a wealth of experience in fundraising and a passion for making a difference, John is set to bring fresh energy and innovative ideas to our mission.John Fosdick is a seasoned development professional with extensive experience in cause-marketing and advocating for Christian organizations.

The 410 Bridge is thrilled to announce its nomination for the 2025 True Inspiration Awards by Chick-fil-A. This esteemed recognition celebrates our commitment to serving the needs of communities around the world.

The most difficult part of preparing for a mission trip usually isn't learning a new language or adapting to a different culture. The hardest part is fundraising. This doesn't have to be a scary and unpleasant. Here are five ways to put the fun in fundraising.

A mission trip is not just a one-week experience to check a box. An intentional mission trip that is outcome-driven provides an opportunity to bring out Philippians 2:2-11 for the restoration of dignity and fulfilling purpose so that people can walk in freedom. A mission trip, The 410 Way, is a catalyst that can propel us into action by changing our perspective of how we view the world, how we view our  world.