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 Torrie Braley, who has oodles of energy and is excited to share it with you!
What prompted you to join a trip to visit Canopy Life Academy?
God instilled a desire in my heart for the people of Africa back in 2005, when I was a student at BigStuf Camp. God has used BigStuf, the 410Bridge, and The Daraja Children’s Choir to strengthen that passion and absolutely flip my world upside down! I’ve been in love with Kenyan children since the first time I saw Daraja perform in the the summer of 2007.
After high school, I had the opportunity to intern with BigStuf Camp and Daraja, and was able to visit Kenya – which COMPLETELY changed my life. Words can never do justice for how much God taught me through those unbelievably awesome experiences. Seriously. UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME. I knew that God had something HUGE up his sleeve for me, and when I caught wind of there being a vision to open a school in Kenya to raise up the next generation of world changers, I hit my knees praying that God would allow me to be a part of it somehow.
God is so faithful and His promises are true. He never counts us out. His ways are always best. When I heard that the school I had been praying for years to see happen was actually coming into existence, I thought, “Wait. WHAT? Canopy Life is REAL! And there are REAL children there who are learning about the REAL love of a REAL God!” I couldn’t contain myself when I saw there was an opportunity to actually be able to go and put my filthy, worn-out Chacos on Kenyan soil again and see with my own eyes those ten beautiful children who are destined to change the country of Kenya and ultimately the world.
What did you enjoy most about your trip?
My favorite part of the trip was spending time with the students. Their hearts are so precious and their smiles make my insides feel all fuzzy because they are just SO stinking cute! Hearing their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up and seeing their creativity through games and projects made me see the beauty of God the Father and how He has lavished His love on these kids. He has such an important plan for each of their lives. It’s absolutely incredible.
Is there something specific you learned about yourself and/or God through the experience?
Nope, not at all. … Just kidding!
OH MY, DID I EVER LEARN A FEW THINGS! Whew. The Holy Spirit totally and completely guided our every step. Learning how to hear from God, and how God talks to and pursues us, totally blew my mind. I had a very hard time putting into words what God showed me when I returned from this trip. And that never happens. HA! Even weeks after I returned, people would ask me about my trip and I would still find myself speechless. God taught me what it means to be brave and how to listen to Him. Allowing the Spirit to guide us every day is how He designed us – to be who HE has called us to be, unapologetically and graciously. The students and staff at Canopy Life are living that out – Man! those kids are brave.
How would you encourage a friend who is considering going on a trip with Canopy Life?
GO. Don’t even think twice. God clearly commands us to go and make disciples. A trip to Canopy Life allows you to love on and invest in His people for eternity. These trips are not just short term drop-in/drop-out visits; they are of eternal importance. Visiting and meeting the people at Canopy Life and sponsoring a child LITERALLY changes their lives and it’s SO cool that God even allows us to be a part of that. I don’t even understand why anyone wouldn’t sponsor a child or go visit the Academy. It’s, like, a no-brainer.
Is there anything about your experience you are dying to tell others?
Ya’ll, visiting Canopy Life will not only inspire you to make a difference, show you how to love without abandon, and give you indescribable joy; it will also show you that our God is faithful, that His love is more than enough, and that the Kingdom of God will not be shaken. The Holy Spirit is ALIVE and taught me so much through my trip with Canopy Life this summer. I will never be the same. PRAISE GOD!
Canopy Life is, without a doubt, raising up a generation of world changers who are already impacting the Kingdom of God. You’d be crazy to not want to go meet these kiddos. Lets be real, I’m constantly trying to think of ways to get back!
Soooo… if you have any extra room in your suitcase… I’ll jump in!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Torrie!
“You’d be crazy to not want to go meet these kiddos.” 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/