One day at church I felt a calling or a nudge that God wanted me to serve in a different way. I looked through my church’s opportunities and as soon as I saw Kenya I felt a wash of joy flood over me. I applied that day and was overjoyed to hear shortly back that I had been accepted to go. Our church gave us the book "If You Really Want To Help" and from there I fell in love with what 410 was doing for the people of Kenya, especially after reading the story of Chris in Kahuria.

Our partnership with Kiu community started way back in 2009 making it one of the first communities to partner with the 410 Bridge since its inception in Kenya in 2006. At the 410 Bridge, we work through the community leaders who ensure continuity of the community’s development even after graduation. During our partnership journey, we walk alongside indigenous community leaders and church leaders as they mobilize and unify the community to participate in their own development – shifting their perspectives and owning the solutions.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Kenya, allow me to do my best to try to put into words what an incredible life-changing experience that you really need to do at least once in your life. I was recently blessed to travel to Mutirithia, Kenya with an amazing group of 20 other Christian men to serve the families in that community over the course of a week. We prepared for weeks to make sure everyone understood the primary objective of the trip, which was to build upon relationships already formed in the community and to spread the Word to as many people as we could. Allow me to unfold a day-by-day glimpse of what we experienced:

Embarking on a mission trip with The 410 Bridge is an invitation to witness the transformative power of holistic community development—a paradigm shift in the way we approach poverty alleviation.As trip participants, you're not just joining a journey to serve communities in need; you're stepping into the role of advocates, and champions of sustainable change driven by partnership and empowerment.Here are 5 things to consider with this shift:

Sending trips with 410 Bridge serves a crucial purpose in aligning with our mission and values. Here's why we send trips:

Relationships Over ProjectsAt 410 Bridge, we prioritize building meaningful connections over completing tasks. Our mission trips to Kenya and Guatemala are centered on fostering deep, reciprocal relationships that transcend cultural boundaries.

Embarking on a short-term mission trip is an incredible opportunity to serve, learn, and grow. As trip advocates, you're not just traveling to new places; you're stepping into diverse cultural landscapes filled with rich histories, traditions, and values.In the book Foreign to Familiar, the author explores cultural differences using the terms Hot Climate Culture and Cold Climate Culture. Whether your destination is Kenya or Guatemala, understanding the clash between hot and cold cultures is crucial for meaningful interactions.

I work with the 410 Bridge under the Education Program as the Sponsorship Coordinator. In the Education Program we work with public schools in all our communities to give access to quality education to all school-age-going children. We worked hard to make sure all the children in the community could regularly attend school, however, we noticed that girls were regularly absent each month.Why Aren't Girls Attending School?

As someone deeply involved in the heart and soul of 410 Bridge I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless mission trips unfold, each one leaving a profound impact on both participants and the communities they serve. But as we strive to continuously improve and enhance the mission experience, we knew there was more we could do to empower our trip advocates.That's why I'm thrilled to share with you our latest endeavor – the launch of our brand-new mission preparation app. Developed with the sole purpose of revolutionizing how we prepare for and experience mission trips, this app has been a labor of love for our team, and I couldn't be more excited to see it in action.

I have just one word, to sum up my experiences and time in Kenya...AMAZING!! This has truly been a phenomenal trip!It started with our very first training session to our goodbyes at the airport when we arrived back home. God had His hands on the team the whole time. There were no incidents, conflicts, or disagreements. We truly enjoyed spending time together and working as a team. It was an honor serving with every one of my teammates, whom I now consider family.

410 Day – happening on April 10th - is an annual fundraising day for our 410 Bridge community to celebrate and continue making a difference in the countries we work in.Leading up to the day, there are four things you can do to help make this day a success:

Happening on April 10th each year, 410 Day is an annual day of generous giving for our 410 Bridge community. We take this day each year to celebrate and propel positive change in the countries we work in.This year, we’re coming together to create lasting and sustainable economic impact for families in Kenya and Guatemala.We’re raising $41,000 for Kenya and $41,000 for Guatemala which will support our vital economic development programs in each country.

Agreeing to go on a mission trip can incite a range of emotions. Maybe excitement, fear, uncertainty, and anticipation, to name a few. But outside of these common emotions, there are some other aspects that you may have never considered.While we can’t attach a Go-Pro to our forehead and experience the trip for you, we want to help make the unexpected become the expected.So below are the top Ten Things to Expect on a Mission Trip.

Meet Manacesi Lopez Garcia de Herrera, a 34-year-old resident of Rancho Viejo, Guatemala who recently shared her story with one of our team members.She is the mother of three children - Kimberly, 17 years old, Ashly, 12 years old, and Dilmar, five years old. Her love for them serves as the driving force in her life. She recently became a member of 410 Bridge's Savings Group Program along with other women in her community.

As the holiday season approaches, our hearts turn towards gratitude and the spirit of giving. One remarkable day that embodies this is Giving Tuesday, a global movement that encourages people to come together and support charitable organizations making a positive impact.

As we look back on this year, we are proud to remember how the community of Kiu, Kenya recently graduated from their partnership with 410 Bridge!

Despite the living conditions (some families had lack of water access, no electricity, no transportation, living in a one or two room home made from mud, sticks, and metal), they always had a smile on their face and welcomed us into their homes with a homemade meal. Regardless of their living conditions, they were just thankful for what God had provided.