REACH interns in Turkana: ‘Seeing God’s grace wherever I turn!’

Farm chores, animal care, Disciple Making Ministry (DMM) trainings and Community Health Evangelism (CHE) are just a few of the ways that REACH interns Zach Hunter and Morgan Truitt are serving with the CMF team in Turkana, Kenya, this summer.

Zach and teammate Brandon Kirplean are based with CMF team members Joel and Rachel Williams. After a week of basic language lessons and practice chats with local Kenyans, their days begin every morning at 5:45 with chores on the Williams’ farm, mainly feeding and watering the animals.

“After we get done with chores, we start our DMM training,” said Zach. “We also attend Discovery Bible Studies and it’s really cool to see the things we learned in action. I’m getting to know a DBS facilitator named Peter, who’s a local pastor trained in DMM a few years ago. He’s a great teacher and an incredibly nice man.”

Meanwhile, Morgan Truitt, who’s in a pre-veterinary program at Oklahoma State University, is based with CMF team member Shannon Tucker, a veterinarian using her skills in Turkana with Community Health Evangelism.

Morgan is part of Shannon’s CHE group, and spends the end of each week in a different bush community working with animals and teaching both animal husbandry and Bible lessons.

“I have gotten close to my CHE group,” said Morgan. “They help me with both language and cultural learning. I see them most days of the week, but on Tuesdays we all get together and do a lesson on public health, followed by a Bible lesson. Then it’s out to the bush for the rest of the week.”

Morgan admits that there have been highs and lows in seeing things from a different cultural point of view.

“My highs have been seeing the stars during a camp-out in Nakor, a little outside Lodwar, and a visit to the Missions of Hope school in Lodwar,” she said. “On the other hand, some days are harder than others as far as homesickness and wanting to get back to my old routine and culture.

“But I see God’s grace everywhere I turn,” she adds. “The Lord continues to work on me to help me realize that everyone deserves His grace and I need to extend that grace to others.”

Top photo: Morgan Truitt, back left, is based with CMF team member Shannon Tucker, back right, during her REACH internship in Turkana, Kenya, this summer.