I grew up on a small island in Lake Victoria. There was no electricity or running water, and we lived in deep poverty. My family and I, which included my mother, two brothers, and two sisters, often survived on just one meal a day.

At a young age, I met a missionary who became a spiritual mentor throughout my childhood. Through her encouragement, I exchanged my life for Christ at the age of 11. Later that year, my missionary friend returned home, and found a home for me that could provide the academic and spiritual needs while she was gone. During my stay there for four years, I experienced feelings of rejection, loneliness, favoritism, and generally feeling unloved.

This trying period of my life ignited my vision to start a home to provide a safe place for children to flourish and grow physically, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. During my last year of school, I felt God was leading me to serve him further through a ministry called Youth With a Mission (YWAM). I completed my Discipleship Training School and then stayed on for another year as a staff member. The second year I met a young lady named Ashley from Texas who had joined YWAM to attend the Discipleship Training School. Throughout the six months we worked together, we got to know each other and developed a close friendship. When she returned home, we prayed together and decided to pursue a deeper relationship together. We continued our relationship long distance for three years. Through prayers, God led us to the decision to pursue marriage. I moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2009 and we got married soon after. We’ve been married now for 14 years and have been blessed with three children; Aaliyah, Malaika, and Josiah.

My missionary mentor showed me the love of Jesus Christ and helped me to see my potential. She inspired me to pursue my education and to make a difference in the world. The challenges that I faced during my four-year stay at the home motivated me to create a safe and loving home for children.

At Youth With a Mission, I was involved in a variety of programs, including discipleship training, evangelism, and community outreach. I had the opportunity to serve young people from all over the world, and I was inspired by their resilience and faith.

My relationship with my wife, Ashley, is based on our shared love for Jesus Christ and our passion for serving others. She is my best friend and the love of my life. Our children are a blessing from God, and they bring us so much joy.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story and to inspire others to get involved in my ministry to children. I believe that every child deserves the chance to flourish and grow in a safe and loving environment.

I was raised in a Christian home with two loving parents, two brothers, and two sisters. I came to know Christ at the young age of 3. My parents were very active in missionary work all over the world, and I was privileged to be involved in mission work from a young age. When I was 19, I had a life changing event that altered my life forever. My best friend of many years, passed away suddenly with her parents and sister in a violent car crash. I struggled for awhile with depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. During this trying period of my life, I felt God call me to join a mission in Africa. Through further prayer and seeking, God led me to join Youth with a Mission to attend a Discipleship Training School in Jinja, Uganda. During my stay in Uganda, I got to know a young man named George, who later became my husband. After I left Uganda, I felt called to another mission in India where my Uncle had started several different orphanages. I traveled with my two cousins and Uncle, to teach English but also to share the love of God with the orphaned children. During my stay, my eyes were opened to the neglect and abuse that children can often face in orphanages. This ignited my vision to care for the fatherless and oppressed. After I met George and pursued a deeper relationship, our visions were united to start a home in Kenya that could provide a safe place for children to grow physically, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. Since then I have been serving as a preschool teacher for the past 8 years. Together with George, we are raising our own three children to know and serve God.  

Ken lived his childhood in numerous foreign countries (mostly Latin America) as his father served as a U.S. diplomat. He graduated from St. Johns College High School and Tulane University at the height of the Vietnam War. He also acquired a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady Of the Lake University 30 years after his undergraduate degree.

Ken spent a career in the U.S. Air Force and after retirement spent seventeen years working in a Traumatic Brain Injury program with the Department of Defense. Probably the most significant experience Ken had in the Air Force was serving as an intelligence officer on the last American airplane over South Vietnam on April 30, 1975. 

The two most significant events in Ken’s life occurred in 1966 and 1971. In November 1966 Ken married the love of his life, Ann in Port Arthur, Texas. In May 1971 Ken came to know and trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Until he came to know Christ his marriage was on the verge of divorce. Because of the remarkable transformation in his marriage Ken and his wife developed a passion for young married and premarried couples. From 1979 they have been involved in various ministries to married couples or to preparation for marriage. In addition to ministry Ken enjoys traveling, playing tennis, studying history, and photography.

My identity in Christ started when I was five when I prayed with my father. In college my faith declined but I was brought back to Him after being humbled in several ways. I married a wonderful strong Christian girl and we have three children. My occupation as a surgeon allows me to show God’s love in many ways. John 14:6-7 is the message all people need to hear and I pray they come to realize.

Mr Joel Odidi, Regional Director,  is a trained teacher with over 20 years of diverse experience in education and communication matters.As a secondary school teacher employed by Kenya’s Ministry of Education, he has helped mold the careers of many students who now serve the country in various fields. As a communications specialist, he worked at The Standard Media Group, Kenya’s oldest media house before moving to Nation Media Group, the largest media house in East and Central Africa as a digital editor.Besides working in the media industry, he is passionate about education and the general development of children. As a Christian, he strongly believes in inculcating Christian values in his learners and training them to become responsible members of the society. He holds a Bachelor of Education Degree in English and Literature.

Rachel is a Christ-lover and has been married to her second love, Alan for 12 years. She is mother and educator to three bright and busy children. Rachel earned her degree in finance with a minor in international business and art in 2005. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and exploring new places with her family.