Immeasurably More
At the end of May 2025, I had the opportunity to experience God’s goodness through a missionary trip with Torchgrab Africa to Nairobi, Kenya. Before our team departed, I meditated on Ephesians 3:20:
This verse reminds believers that our imagination or requests do not limit God. He delights in going beyond them. God can do the immeasurably more. After reading this passage, I wrote down the very things I was believing God could do:
I yearned for a meaningful interaction with a student from Petra.
I hoped the community would be impacted through our work, pointing others toward who He is.
God’s Joy in the Faces of Children
On the trip, our team taught about the importance of being a child of God at the three Petra schools. At each school, the children greeted us with singing and dancing on the dirt roads of Kenya.
Their culture was vibrant and alive. I could feel it in the air with every clap, stomp, and singing voice that rang out. The constant fruit of the Spirit of joy surrounded me. I saw it on the children’s faces as they sang about the goodness of God, even though their circumstances weren’t ideal.
The children loved giving our team hugs and high-fives, while the younger ones would giggle as they peeked around corners. At Petra B, the bell rang loudly, signaling it was time for porridge. I could feel the excitement buzzing in the air from the students who were ready to play and interact with our team.
The four-story-high building was lined with students dancing, playing, skipping, and tossing a football with people on our team.
The Camera That Opened a Door
As I bent down to capture photographs, children surrounded me, hugging my legs and grinning at the camera. They posed every time the lens met their eye.
I noticed a group of older girls standing in a corner. I introduced myself and asked if they wanted a picture. They nodded shyly, and later, one of them asked if she could use my camera. I showed her a few features, and she took some photos before the bell rang.
No Role? No Problem.
On the fourth day, while most of the team rested, the singers and dancers performed at Petra C. I felt an urge to go, despite not having a specific role.
That day, students from Petra B joined our choir to sing, and the performances were televised.
The Holy Spirit’s presence was tangible as they sang with passion and unity. It changed the atmosphere.
A Friendship Formed
Outside, I saw the same group of girls, including the one who had asked to use my camera. Though shy at first, they began asking questions about my life in America. In return, I learned about their daily life and dreams. I let the girl take pictures of her friends again. I had walked into the day unsure of my purpose, but God used my camera to fulfill my “immeasurably more.”
The Holy Spirit moved through every meal, song, and high-five. I believe not only were the children at Petra schools impacted, but the wider community too, through performances, ministry, and the simple faith that God would move.
I am a witness to the lives He touched through my continual belief in Him doing immeasurably more.
