meet the team

As many of you know, we will be heading to Ethiopia on May 23 for our first mission trip to Ekklesia School and CarePoint to serve orphans and vulnerable children as well as the community in which they live.  I am trilled to introduce you to the team who will be traveling with me - the team who will walk along side this community and share the love of Jesus!

Melanie Buford

My name is Melanie Buford, and I am from St. Joseph, MO.  My husband and I have been married almost 29 years. We have 2 sons. Our oldest lives and works in Kansas City and our youngest son is a junior in college. I was an elementary teacher for the better part of 20 years. I have recently stopped teaching to run my mission/business full time.  It's called Under The Zigba Tree, a Fair Trade Boutique. Our mission is to bring awareness about Human Trafficking while providing sustainable income for the rescued girls.  I have had the opportunity to go on a few mission trips over the years. I have been to North Africa and Spain a couple of times. I am always amazed at the things God teaches me. And I'm humbled that He allows me to go. I am very excited about being part of the visionary/mission team. My prayer is that our eyes and ears are open to learn the many things He will be teaching us.

Drew Bayless

Hi, my name is Drew!  My beautiful wife, Ashley and I live in Saint Paul, MN.  We enjoy great cuisine, both out at restaurants and cooking in our own kitchen.  We love to travel, both stateside and around the globe.  We are both followers of Jesus and love to live out and share the Good News of Jesus with all of our lives.  I have never been to Ethiopia, but for a number of years lived about 200 miles from it's border, as I was a missionary in Northern Kenya, to the Samburu people.  I am looking forward, with great anticipation, to meeting new friends and sharing the love of Jesus with them.

Alyssa Bawden

My name is Alyssa Bawden and this will be my second time out of the country for a missions trip. The last mission trip I was part of was in the Dominican Republic where I spent time with elementary aged students. It was an amazing part of my life, and I felt I learned more from those children about my faith in Jesus than I have anywhere else. I am so ecstatic about this trip to Ethiopia, and although I have no idea what to expect while there, I'm so anxious to meet those kids, play with them, and get to know their families. I can't wait to learn about their life stories. Honestly, I am nervous about how this adventure of a trip may affect our team as well as myself, but I know whatever happens will be an experience to learn about ourselves, the people in Ethiopia, and most importantly about God. He is the heart of this trip, and I hope we can humbly portray Jesus as a life changing, existing Saviour. There is no greater gift than knowing you have an eternal Father, in which lies my greatest fear: that the children and families we meet will not come to experience such an awesome God. 

 

Joyce Kehl

My name is Joyce Kehl.  My husband , Greg, and I live in Denison, Iowa.  We were blessed with three children, Ben, Meghan, and Emily.  They have in turn blessed us even more with wonderful spouses and seven awesome grandchildren.  For the past five years I have led the children's education ministry at our church.  I have a class of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders on Wednesday nights that has a lot of fun exploring the Bible.  Sunday mornings will find me leading Psalm 118:24 at the beginning of Cup of Joy and introducing the lesson of the day, before I teach the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.  I am fondly known as Miss Joyce and I LOVE hugs.  I also have the unique ministry of directing our two pageants at the church each year and making costumes.  God is so good to me. I have seen the children's faces of Africa since I was little, and God has placed a longing in my heart.  He is calling me to step out in faith and to spread His love to the children of Ethiopia.  I am excited for the new friendships I will make with our sponsored children, with the children of the school, and with each of the team members.

EMILY MOYER

My name is Emily Moyer.   I grew up in the home of a pastor, so I did some moving over the years.  Now, at 27, I live in Saint Joseph, MO where I teach third grade at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School.  I have enjoyed putting my higher education to use over the last five years as I teach my students and help them grow in wisdom, strength, and faith.  I am humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to be Christ's light to these children each day and remind them how much God loves them.  My ministry continues beyond the walls of my classroom and community.  My school started a partnership with Trees of Glory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia through an organization called Rescued Readers to help build a library at our partner school and work with them to obtain academic excellence.  I was able to travel with another teacher to hand deliver the tubs of books and meet with the staff at our school.  It was the most humbling, overwhelming, and amazing trips I have ever been on.  Since that trip two years ago, it has been my heart's cry to return to this place that I love.  I saw our successful school, but I also saw places in greater need of just the required physical needs for survival.  I look forward to returning to this city.  I look forward to being able to shine Jesus at another school.  I look forward to being humbled again.  I look forward to being Jesus' hands and feet.  I look forward to serving HIS children.

GRACE KEHL

I'm Grace Kehl.  I am in seventh grade, and like hanging out with little kids!  I am looking forward to this trip because I can't wait to meet all the children of Sendafa.  I am on the left followed by my sisters, Ryan and Hannah.

Terry Prickett

I was born in Missouri as a preacher's kid and grew up in many different towns in the midwest. After graduating from high school in Burwell, NE and college in Lincoln, NE (go huskers), I eventually moved to Denison, IA where I worked for a local bank for the past 32 years. I retired a couple of weeks ago to follow a new path-volunteering my time with Global Compassion Network out of Eagle Grove, IA. This currently consists of taking teams to work and build relationships in orphanages in Haiti. I am married and have 3 amazing children, their spouses, and 5 grandchildren.

Natosha Fuller

My name is Natosha.  I'm a hard worker. I've always loved helping people. Ever since I was little I knew that I wanted to help people in everything I do in life. When I'm not working I love being outside. I love trying new things and going to new places. I also want to travel the world through out my life.

 

 

 

Grace Dahlgren

My name is Grace Dahlgren.  I am sweetly known in Ethiopia as "Ms. Grace."  I have had the privilege of personally building relationships in Ethiopia on five different occasions and look forward to making new relationships in new places, as I travel to Ethiopia in May!  I have a sincere love and appreciation for the Children's HopeChest staff, as well as the children at Kind Hearts and Tress of Glory CarePoints and can strongly testify to the many blessings of "communities helping communities."  I live in St. Joseph, Missouri and teach fifth grade at St. Joseph Christian School.  I have been married to Keith for 26 years and am mother to three wonderful boys: Matthew (21), Caleb (18), and Benjamin (16) and sponsor Meseret at Trees of Glory CarePoint (pictured) and now, Embet, who is at Ekklesia CarePoint.  Being given the privilege to be "hands and feet" for Jesus is by far the greatest joy of my life, and it is my sincerest desire to do all for the glory and honor of God, our Father.  Favorite things: Jesus, people, hugs, coffee, flowers, smiles, truth, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 10:10, conversation, loyalty, and genuine friendships.

RYAN KEHL

Hi, I am Ryan.  As a sixth grader I enjoy swimming and doing crafts.  I love children so I cannot wait to go to Ethiopia to spend time at the CarePoint!  In this picture, I am in the middle of my two sisters, Grace and Hannah.

REgina Kehl

And if you made it to the end, I am Regina.  I love early mornings, coffee, and Jesus - all at the same time!  I am thrilled to share this first mission trip to Ekklesia with the amazing people you just read about.  Although I have been to Ekklesia once before, I look forward to deepening the relationships with the children and community of Sendafa. This is my third visit to Ethiopia, and I am excited to share the experience with our two youngest daughters, Grace and Ryan for their first trip!  Pictured - my wonderful and crazy family: Ben, Regina, Ryan, Hannah, and Gracie.