This summer, Canopy Life welcomed 11 summer trip participants to Canopy Life Academy. Our June and July trips were the first American visitors to the Academy, and were able to invest in the children and their community innumerably in both tangible and relational ways. The ladies who journeyed to Kenya are excited about the impact they were able to make on our students, but feel as though it pales in comparison to what God did in their hearts and lives during their time at the school. Today we want to share with you the experience of Cara Hain, who was part of our July team. Cara is a middle school teacher in Atlanta, Georgia.
What prompted you to join a trip to visit Canopy Life Academy?
For about 4-5 year prior to the trip, I had a desire to go to Africa. A friend encouraged me to check out the trips on 410 Bridge’s website. When I saw the trip to Canopy Life, I knew I was supposed to go there! The reason I was so confident that I was supposed to go was because the Lord has been working in my life to unleash the creativity He put in me in my own classroom, so I instantly connected with the mission of Canopy Life – Cultivating Character and Unleashing Imagination. “Imagine” is a word the Lord had given me about a year and half before I checked out the trip! I was also inspired by what I read on the Canopy Life website. I love the idea of children dreaming with their Creator!
What did you enjoy most about your trip?
I enjoyed being able to work with the children and staff at Canopy Life. Working with the kids on projects to transform the space was a great way to start the trip. I loved talking to the children’s teacher Margaret and sharing ideas to use in the classroom.
Two moments that really stand out from my time at the Academy are:
- Worshipping with the students and staff. I wish we could have been a part of that more often.
- Hearing the kids giggle when they saw their framed 8×10 pictures on the shelves in their living room.
For me, the trip would not have been complete without our visit to a public school in one of the nearby villages. I needed to see this to grasp the importance of the work at Canopy Life.
Two moments that stand out from that day are:
- Chaos breaking out when we used balloons to practice counting in the four year old classroom!
- Seeing students go out to play for recess playing with balls made of plastic bags. The Lord has used this particular moment to spark an idea for me to use at my school here in Atlanta.
Is there something specific you learned about yourself and/or God through the experience?
On our last morning in Kenya, my team member Sara used the word “transformation” when we were talking about the trip. That word really stuck with me. From a transformation side, I walked away from this experience with a greater sense of gratitude than I have ever had before, which has caused me to live my life differently. Back home, I have continued to reflect on my days and record my moments of the day giving thanks to the Lord for them.
I have gained freedom from this new heightened sense of gratitude, realizing that the Lord has used this experience to change ME. I don’t have to try to change others. I just need to live differently, and maybe others will notice and be inspired to do the same. I have even been looking at trash differently! … Seriously! … On the first day of school, I gave a sunflower to each teacher in my grade level, using a Coke can as the bud vase! They turned out so pretty, and I didn’t go out and spend money buying 14 bud vases!
How would you encourage a friend who is considering going on a trip with Canopy Life?
Honestly, I can’t imagine a reason why anyone shouldn’t go. I believe anyone’s skill set can be put to good use helping at Canopy Life and connecting with the people there. Life is about our relationship with Jesus and becoming more like Him. A trip to Canopy Life will push you more toward Him and work to transform your heart and life to look and be more like Him. I would say, “Just go! You won’t regret it!”
Is there anything about your experience you are dying to tell others?
I would add that I felt like I was able to be a part of something that is changing the lives of children and has the potential to change an entire nation. The fact that the kids at Canopy Life are getting to experience living in a healthy, loving, godly family while they are at school will change the men and women they grow up to be. They will have the potential to go back to their homes and change the way others see family – inspiring them to be healthier, more loving, and more godly. The fact that Canopy Life is teaching kids to be creative thinkers who have problem solving skills is instilling in them the potential to go be the job creators that Kenya desperately needs. Canopy Life is doing something powerful, and I believe their work will become a model for other schools in Kenya. I can only imagine how the Lord is going to use this!
Thank you for sharing about your experience, Cara! Your investment in growing young leaders on both sides of the globe is inspiring.
“Just go! You won’t regret it!” Are you ready to to join a team to Canopy Life Academy? We are now registering participants for our 2016 trips! That might sound far in the future, but January is only a little over four crazy months away! To learn more about the logistics and upcoming dates for upcoming Canopy Life trips, check out the trips page on our website at: https://canopylife.org/trips/