Our April Mission team departs THIS Thursday April 2nd, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store with this group! They arrive in Nairobi on Friday April 3rd, just in time to celebrate Easter, and return to us April 11th. They will serve at Pehucci Children’s Home in Ruai, Kenya and Wings of Life Children’s center in Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. BFR has been partners with the leaders in both of these schools for years, and we have seen HUGE growth and positivity that can only be described as the hand of God. These team members are ready to work with the youth and young adults of Kenya with the theme of “Be Bold” in the forefront of their minds. They will be focusing on topics such as; leadership, goal setting, potential, pride, humility and perseverance. They will partner with Pastor Sam, a local pastor and a very dear friend of BFR, and serve alongside him and his team in our territories as well within his church. They will spend intentional time with 44 of our 51 BFR Kids that are at the 2 locations they will be serving within, inspiring them to be leaders among their peers and each other. Learn more about the team members below:
Lauren, Team Leader: I am a Licensed Professional Counselor from Memphis, TN. I have worked at Youth Villages for almost 7 years and currently work there as a Clinical Consultant. I have been married to my husband, Jonathan, for about a year and a half. I became involved with BFR in 2013 and served on my first mission trip to Uganda in March of that year. Last year I had the opportunity to serve as a co-leader for the July trip to Kenya. These experiences have been life-changing for me, and I am so thankful for BFR and the work they are doing in Kenya and Uganda. After my trip to Kenya, Jonathan and I began sponsoring Sharon, and I am beyond excited to be on Kenya soil again to spend time with her and all of the other wonderful children and leaders I met last year. We have an awesome team with amazing talents and I can’t wait to see what happens when we all hit the mission field together!!!
Adam, Team Leader: I’m a small town Missourian that has lived in Tennessee for the past 10 years. I’m married to a beautiful loving wife Lacey and have a 4 month little boy Miles. I currently negotiate corporate hotel contracts for a company here in Memphis. From a young age I have always felt God’s hand directing me to help the unfortunate and given the ability to listen and encourage others. I believe that we as everyday people let “things” fill our lives and thoughts to where we don’t allow ourselves to fully concentrate on Christ and what He has done and will do. In Kenya, especially, it’s amazing to view this image daily and feel the Holy Spirit on a continual basis. This feeling is what I long for and the reason I feel the call to return this April.
Jared, Team Leader: Jambo! My name is Jared Cooper. I have been married to my wonderful and beautiful wife, Morgan, for almost 7 years. The Lord has been great to us as we have recently begun our journey into the adoption process from Haiti. I work as a high school math and Bible teacher at Macon Road Baptist School, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling. This is my 3rd time to Africa with BFR, and I am so blessed to be a part of this ministry. The Lord has allowed us to sponsor Isaack and Maxwell from Wings of Life, and we are excited to see what God has in store for them.
Robert: Robert ‘E’isforEpic Daniel 😉 : I am a native Memphian where I live with my wife Jennifer and our two rescue dogs and two rescue cats. I am a securities broker by trade and a member of the US National Sumo Team by choice. :)This will be my second mission to Kenya and I’m super excited to visit with our sponsees Festus, Magdeline, Joseph and James. These mission trips are the high point of our year as no matter how much you pour into these kids they always pour more back into you. It is a huge goal of mine to see the Wins for Wings pledge program grow to a point where it makes a major impact on the children of Kenya.
Janie: I am a Human Resources Professional from Memphis, TN. I work for a large non-profit that helps troubled youth and their families. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology, from Christian Brother’s University. I am super excited about this opportunity to serve on this mission trip to Kenya with Be Free Revolution! My personal mission statement is to “be creative and motivating and lead by example in a way that encourages others, influences change, challenges, transforms and inspires accountably so that others can be the best them that they can be.” I believe that God has blessed me with this opportunity to do just that. It is my prayer that those that we serve will see God’s LOVE though my words, actions and interactions and that they might be blessed as a result. I am looking forward to this amazing journey!
Reese: I was born in Jonesboro, AR and continued to live there up until I left for college at the University of Arkansas. My passion for traveling and meeting new people led me to pursue a degree in international business, as well as a position with the BFR team as the accounting and finance coordinator. A little about me, I love to play and watch pretty much any sport, but basketball and tennis are definitely my favorites. Ever since I can remember I’ve rooted for the Razorbacks, never A State, no hard feelings I just can’t get on that red-wolf wagon. I am definitely happiest when I am serving others and/or traveling so I know this trip will be incredible! I’m a very laid back and outgoing person so I hope to be used in any way possible on this trip. I am excited to be going for countless reasons, but I am particularly excited about meeting the BFR Kids and putting some faces with names. I am certain that this trip will leave a significant impact on my life, but it is my hope to have a lasting impact on those I come into contact with in Kenya as well as those on the team!
Lacey, Co- Founder of BFR: I was born and raised in Memphis, TN where I studied art and journalism. I am the Co-Founder of BFR and I am married to the wonderful Adam Stluka and we just welcomed our first child, Miles (4 months old) and I love him more than I could ever imagine. We also have a daughter in Kenya, Sharleen, who is the one that shattered my heart on my first trip to Kenya, changing my life as I knew it to dedicate it to serving not only her but others like her. That then turned into me leaning on the mission trip vet of all time and my now partner in crime and this crazy BFR life, Britney Christie, and we then started Be Free Revolution. My passions are my family, faith, traveling, serving, discovering new cultures and seeing life change. I am more than excited to serve with this team because one is my husband, another my childhood best friend, another my co-worker, 2 I have already served with and are threaded so much in the heart of BFR and another is a new friend. This team is very special to me and I can’t wait to get on the ground and let God use us for something BIG, as well as pour into each other! I strongly believe life is meant to be led boldly, courageously and radically- just like Christ.
