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How did you decide to go to Tanzania on a Mission Trip?

In January of 2008, we met with Harold and Coni Knepper (Kelly’s former Youth Pastor and wife.) the founders of Hope of the Nations   www.hopeofthenationstz.org who through sharing their story and vision of their organization, challenged us to consider coming to Africa. That invitation coupled with prayerful consideration solidified our decision to go.


Why are you taking your kids to Africa especially in light of how dangerous Africa is?

Initially we didn’t consider going ourselves let alone with our children. But the founders of Hope of the Nations (HOTN) Harold and Connie Knepper challenged us to consider bringing our children since HOTN is focused on children through neighborhood Kids Clubs, the Kamala preschool and the summer camps for teens and young adults.

Regarding the danger of taking our children to Africa, please understand that although the Continent of Africa has various countries with civil and political unrest, the country of Tanzania is much safer.


Are you worried about your kids getting ill while in Tanzania?

We will take every precaution through diligently getting all of our vaccinations and by taking our Malaria Pills to protect against Mosquito born diseases. We are no more in harms way than any American traveling to Africa on an exotic Safari and of course we will make sure we “Don’t Drink the Water.”


How long does it take to get to Kigoma Tanzania?

Here lies what we believe will be our greatest challenge! Since the last time we checked, South West Airlines does not fly non-stop to Kigoma TZ. The 30 plus hour flight(s) will no doubt teach us the meaning of patience and perseverance. Several airlines do fly from SFO through Europe and/or the United Emirates to Dar Es Salaam the capitol of Tanzania.  We will then catch a smaller commuter plane that will fly us to Kigoma Tanzania. Please pray for Neil and Eric for this part of the trip to and from Tanzania.


Will your young children benefit from going on a mission trip?

Just as every parent creates memories through family vacations, us included, so we desire to create a heart for the poor and the lost through this mission trip. This world is a broken place in need of a Savior. We want this experience to guide how they live their lives.


What will you do while in Africa?

We will participate in several key elements of Hope of the Nations.

  1. While we are in Tanzania our children will be participating in the Kids Clubs and Summer Camps. We will not only support the local young adults who run the programs through training and behind the scene work, we will also participate as Counselors and students.
  2. We will also work on any number of building projects happening while we are there.
  3. If time permits, we will go through Kigoma as ambassadors of HOTN meeting families and children inviting them to the different Kids Clubs throughout Kigoma.
  4. Since HOTN sits on the banks of Lake Tanganyika the main transportation hub of the region, we will travel by boat up and down the lake visiting remote villages with a generator and the Jesus film translated into Swahili (the native language) as a way of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.


What will your mission trip cost?

Cost breakdown per person
$2,000     Round trip flight San Francisco to Dar Es Salaam Tanzania
$400        Round trip flight  Dar Es Salaam to Kigoma Tanzania
$100        Tanzania Visa
$300        Food $15 per day x 20 days
$100        Housing
$100        Outreach Project
$3,000     Total cost per person

Wouldn’t donating a large sum of money be a better way of supporting Hope of the Nations then spending that amount going yourselves?

Certainly this question is one that challenged us from the moment we considered this mission trip. There is no doubt the $10,000-$15,000 per family we need to raise would have a huge impact in Africa. But there is much more to our trip then just simple dollars and cents. We as Christians are called to go to the ends of the earth to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Also, if through this trip we can build a bridge between our community which has so much with Hope of the Nations we will have been faithful to God’s calling. In addition, we desire to instill in our children a real heart for those orphaned by HIV AIDS, and challenged by the issues associated with extreme poverty. This can happen in a transforming way by going to Africa.

How can we pray for your families?

Pray that….

  1. God would prepare our hearts and minds for this trip.
  2. God would bring together the finances for both our families to go on this trip.
  3. The Passports and Visas necessary to travel to Tanzania would get through the bureaucratic process without a hitch.
  4. Tanzania would continue to be a peaceful place.
  5. God would protect us from getting sick as we get closer to the date of departure.
  6. God would keep our children from getting sick while in Tanzania.
  7. Through this trip we would collectively be transformed into a more missions focused lifestyle.
  8. This trip would be the beginning of a family short term missions focus at First Baptist Church of Lodi.
  9. The cost of flights to and from Tanzania would be low.