Brooke Clanton Speaks of Her Mission Experience in Kenya, Africa

Brooke (right) shares in the experience of presenting Bibles to the children of the village.

Tristen Brooke Clanton wasn't sure what she was being called to do but felt that she had a purpose to fulfill.  She began praying about it last summer (2014)  She says,  "God laid on my heart mission work. God opened doors and presented an opportunity for me to travel last September.  He provided a will and a way."

Working to build a church

Knowing in her heart that God was calling her to do mission work, Brooke answered his call and traveled with a mission group to East Kenya on the continent of Africa.  She traveled with a team of 516 Missions based out of Pauline Baptist Church in Monticello.  There were seven people on her team that traveled from America.  Her travels took her to Malindi, Miritini, and the village of Midiani where her team worked with three families:  the Taylors, the Straders, and the Howells.  She left on her pilgrimage July 8 and returned July 22.

The team with which she traveled worked in the village by teaching a basketball camp at the local primary school where they also distributed Bibles.  The team also built a church in which the locals can worship.

Teaching the children to play basketball

When asked about her memorable experiences, Brooke said, "Seeing the faces of the children after they received their Bibles…They were so excited to have something as their very own."  She also noted that being in a country which is 75% Muslim, there were radical Muslim teachers in the school.  "We were warned about him and his belief.  On the second day, he took a Bible and began to ask questions.  To see someone with such a radical belief still have a desire to learn about our Savior was amazing."

One of the most difficult things Brooke faced while being in Africa was the culture shock.  She said, "Everything is done so differently there.  Learning to adjust in such a short period of time was very difficult.  Also, the food was a lot different than American food.  It was tough to eat a full meal.  Although I was hungry, sometimes I just couldn't stomach a full meal."

Opportunity to worship

Though Brooke and the others on the mission field went there with a purpose to give, she says she took away a lot of memories and lessons in life.  She says, "But probably wheat impacted me the most was the poverty.  I realized that I am so blessed to have just a roof over my head and food on the table, much less all the other things that make up my daily life (cell phone, clothes, hot water, a bathroom)."  Brooke added that Americans take much for granted.  "Seeing first hand what it is like to live in a Third World county is humbling."

"I learned that sometimes God just wants you to unplug from all of the chaos in the world and focus on him.  He may be trying to bless you, and you don't even realize it,"  comments Brooke as she reflects on her journey.

Brooke is a 2014 graduate of Hermitage High School who attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello her freshman year. She will begin her sophomore year there this fall and plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in January.