Morrison finds purpose in Kenya

For the past two summers, while her friends were spending their summer vacations basking in the sun or touring well-known vacation destinations, Canyon Lake resident Brittaney Morrison spent time ministering to those in the developing country of Kenya, Africa.

Brittaney’s decision to make a difference in the lives of those living in extreme poverty and unclean conditions was not taken lightly. Through much prayer and soul searching, Brittaney felt a strong presence of the Lord as she saw the doors begin to open and a ministry to Kenya was placed in her future.

When she was only a five-year-old child, the thought of traveling to Africa intrigued her. She knew that there were definite physical and spiritual needs in that part of the world and as she became older, she decided that she wanted to be part of the solution to their needs.

In 2017, Brittaney learned of a program in her church, Crossroads Christian Church in Corona, in which church members could volunteer to spend two weeks in various parts of the world helping to improve living conditions. Africa immediately entered Brittaney’s mind as a possible location in which she could minister; but when the possibilities were presented including Cambodia/Thailand, Nepal and Kenya, Brittaney prayed that the Lord would lead her to exactly where she could be used best.

She then learned that she had been assigned to the Kenya Mission Team and she knew that “God answered my desires.” Much of the remainder of 2017 and early 2018 was spent in preparation for the mission.

Brittaney learned about the cultural differences and situations that might arise in Kenya. For example, a woman must not hug a man as is the practice in the United States. She was given a list of vaccinations that she must have due to the fact that Kenya is considered a developing country and there would be a risk of being exposed to dangerous diseases such as Typhoid, Hepatitis and Malaria.

Finances were discussed along with the need for each team member to raise monies for travel, food and lodging. In 2018, Brittaney used social media to enlist others to donate the needed $4,700 to fund her trip.

Brittaney jumped over every hurdle that was placed on her path to Kenya and she soon found herself in a strange new world.

This first trip was filled with startling moments of dealing with the conditions that were present in Nairobi, the city to which they were assigned. The team found themselves holding Vacation Bible School in the local schools; but when they visited the actual areas in which the children lived, they were astounded by the living conditions.

The homes in Nairobi were small and most were actually “shacks” with no kitchen or bathroom facilities. Meals were cooked outside and the people used a hole in the ground for a toilet. Brittaney noted that “There was no trash collection, so you stepped on trash everywhere you went. Their sewage system was actually open trenches.”

The team used much of the Vacation Bible School time to lead the students in worship and crafts but the most important lessons that they taught included the need to be of service to others. The students were taught the importance of serving others through acts of kindness such as fulfilling opportunities to clean schools, helping improve the conditions of their homes and supporting one another with prayer.

Brittaney’s fondest memory was when the team was able to provide a set of crutches for a man who couldn’t walk or get out of his home.

Returning home found Brittaney applying for the Crossroads’ 2019 summer mission trip.

Even though Brittaney was once again assigned to Kenya, she found some differences in her 2019 trip as compared to her 2018 trip. Raising the funds for the trip was much more difficult. In addition to “word of mouth,” Brittaney hosted a garage sale, sold jewelry and See’s candy. Social media played a smaller role than in the previous year and as she neared the financial deadline, she found herself almost $3,000 short. Miraculously, a few days before it was due, Brittaney received a phone call from her church informing her that an anonymous donor had given the exact amount that she needed. Brittaney relates, “In that moment, I broke down crying. God is good!”

Brittaney found returning to Kenya this past summer to be very different than the year prior. In 2018, her focus was on how the people lived and what their immediate needs were; but in 2019, she was able to dig deeper into the needs of the people. She took the time to assess each situation and determine how best to minister to the individual.

This past summer, Brittaney was challenged to be a small group leader. In answer to that challenge, she formulated a program that she entitled Purity.  Purity was a conference for young girls and boys in which the topics of purity, abuse, substance abuse and sexuality were discussed. Brittaney shares, “These topics were used to open up conversation for the children to know that they are not alone, to know that they are loved, to teach them how to get out of abusive situations and to share with them the truth about the love of the Lord through which they are made new.”

During this past trip to Kenya, Brittaney was able to hold two conferences regarding “Purity,” which were attended by over 900 Kenyan junior and senior high girls and boys. Hearing stories from the children themselves regarding their own abusive situations has inspired Brittaney to further develop her thoughts on the various abusive situations in which a child or young person may be found. Currently, she is developing an organization called “Pure Beauty” in which these issues are addressed.

Brittaney is a changed person because of her involvement with the mission teams of Crossroads Christian Church. Her emphasis is now clearer and her mission is stronger. As she shares, “I’ve learned that life and people are precious. In life, we have to think past the glitz and glam that is shown on television and social media because there are so many more important things to deal with and so many people that need love, not just in Kenya but even in our own backyard. Life is better when we take our eyes off ourselves and place our focus on how we can serve others in a humbler way.”

Brittaney Morrison receives a hug from a youngster in Kenya, Africa. Photo provided by Brittaney Morrison

Photo provided by Brittaney Morrison

Photo provided by Brittaney Morrison

Photo provided by Brittaney Morrison




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