Kenya Hope Mission Blog
The Kenya Hope mission runs Thursday 3rd to 14th July 2025. The programme can be downloaded here. The team comprises, Dan Holland, Tony Males, Sam Cairns, Tino Kapofu, Jo Ridpath, Lynsey Stone and Celia Tayler.
Content added as daily reports come in. Do check back on previous days as sometimes content is delayed in being posted.
The team are all safely back home in the UK now.
Day 11, Monday 14 July
Tony writes,
I write this from a coffee shop in a posh Nairobi shopping mall, a sharp contrast to the rural and suburban settings we have grown used to with their roadside stalls and small lock-up shops.
We are winding down after completing our mission last night. We spent the morning in Nairobi National Park and were guided by an experienced land cruiser driver to ensure maximum exposure to the East African wildlife. Highlights were a pride of lions with their cubs and, in another location, a male lion eating a recently caught zebra! Celia and Lynsey enjoyed birdwatching and identified many species unique to this area.
We head to the airport this evening and look forward to seeing our families again tomorrow.
Thank you so much readers for your prayer support over these last 11 days. We feel blessed for having given our time and gifts to God's work here in Kenya.
Day 10 Sunday 13 July
Jo writes,
Dan is recovering from feeling unwell and has rested this morning, though had a good nights sleep.
Sam went with Pastor James to Deliverance Church, Dagoretti Junction for the two morning services. Sam gave his testimony of the wonderful week we have had and his personal testimony in the first service and then preached a message on the importance of doubt in the second service. Doubt shows that we are thinking, it is not a sin!
Tony, Celia, Jo and Lynsey were invited with Pastor Margaret to the boarders morning service at Musa gitau primary school. We give thanks to God for electricity, which cut out a few times prior and during the service but sustained us! Also we give thanks for Celia's wisdom with sound tech that enabled our two puppet songs! Celia preached a talk about the different meanings of x (we've done wrong, we are loved and we make a choice) and how this relates to the cross. Tony spoke from 1 Timothy; despite your youth be an example and an encouragement to others. All enjoyed singing and doing the actions for jumping for jesus. We then went on to Deliverance Church Rosegate (Pastor James and Margaret's church plant) for their service. Tony led the bible study talking on One Flesh in marriage and in our relationship with Jesus. 1+1=1 ! He then preached about the importance of endurance.
The afternoon into early evening held the celebrations for the 2nd anniversary of the church! Dagoretti church member arrived by bus to join us. We were very blessed to meet someone who we had spoken to in the crusades yesterday. Also another lady and her young grandchildren who recently lost both parents who we met doing 'door to door' on the lane outside the church yesterday!
There was much praise given to God and thanks for His church. Pastor James shared his vision for a mission training school on the church grounds! The TFM team were prayed for and anointed with oil!
The Sunday school ended celebrations with the song we have been singing in all the schools 'Jumping for Jesus' with the whole church, a dance ensemble and then there was a huge celebration cake.
We were sad but thankful to speak with, and say good bye to, many of the lovely people we have met and served with this mission.
Day 9 Saturday 12 July
Lynsey writes,
We have had yet another absolutely phenomenal day for JESUS!
Firstly, please pray for Dan as he has been unwell with an upset stomach.
Our first stop today was to go Karai secondary school. We are now a team of six after bidding Pastor Tino a fond farewell yesterday. Tino had to be back in the UK (planned).
Having made some great connections yesterday with the schools Christian union patron Christine we joined them for their weekend challenge.
The gospel was preached to 927 students !!!!
We were privileged to be part of this joining forces with Stephen from Kenya Christian student fellowship. Our team led some action songs and we did a lively comical sketch on stage led by Tony which went down well with the students. I then gave a talk on seeking God whole heartedly, followed by an excellent preach from Dan on taking care of our joints ( Despite him struggling with an upset stomach).
Dan gave testimony of how God had brought people across his path in life and shared about being careful who we are ‘joined’ with. Iron sharpens iron. Pastor James then rounded up with a testimony about the Godly connections he had made while ill in the uk under the care of none other than our very own Dr Tony! Our Nairobi brother ‘Bigman ‘ julius led everyone in his African worship and dance moves with the noise and shouts of praise going through the roof !
After lunch we took the TFM questionnaire out into the streets in three groups with our friends from Rose gate church coming along to interpret for us.
Joanne and myself went with pastor Cosmos and we three walked with Jesus along the dusty road . We had many many encounters with locals in the Masai area . Many Prayers of salvation were prayed . Bracelets given to children , Tracts and New Testament given to adults .
One child Patrick aged 7 gave his life to Jesus having been brought to us by his friend Travis . Travis had used the four point bracelet we gave him to tell Patrick the Gospel message before bringing him to us . Praise God for these young zealous souls!
The day finished in Rose gate market place square with the evening ‘crusade’. This was our 3rd night here . The market stall holders all waving and smiling at us and joining in with worship. A brilliant atmosphere celebrating Jesus . The whole team had a fantastic time praising the Lord and chatting to locals . There were some great conversations, prayers prayed , and salvations too !
I can't find words to describe how blessed we have all felt to be part of this mission. Heartfelt thanks to Dan and Tony for leading us so well along with pastors James and Margaret Gikwa (Personal thanks from me for helping get anti biotics for my eye).
To Celia , Jo , Tino and Sam I have had such a great time serving with you. Thank you all for your unique giftings , your love and care for Gods people and all the laughs along the way , you are all amazing !!
Finally closing todays Blog , We have seen God move here in Kenya and we cannot stop praising his name !!!
At Rose Gate Church.
Day 8, Friday 11 July
Sam writes,
This morning Dan and Celia led a prophetic seminar at Rosegate Church and helped them to work in groups on prophetic evangelism and the holy spirit. Meanwhile, the remainder of the team went to visit two schools, Father Kevin Kelly High School and Karai Secondary School where we were speaking on the idea of choices and God's purpose for our lives! At Karai High school, pastor James discovered that he had taught the head of the school and we have been invited back tomorrow as part of their Weekend Challenge! The footballs we took as gifts were greatly received and we were glad to be able to bless the schools.
In the evening we had our second crusade in Rosegate Market. Tony spoke on the choice we have to follow Jesus or a worldly life comparing it to a narrow and wide path. We were also very happy about the weather as the clouds were quite dark at one point overhead, however we prayed for the clouds to part and they did! It only started raining once we got back to our accommodation. We were able to have countless positive conversations including Celia praying with a young girl called Angel who gave her life to Jesus that evening.
Sam shared at secondary school and Tony preaching to another secondary school.
Karaa secondary school, the Gospel was preached to 927 children in the school hall !!! Wow!
Lynsey with Christine, a Christian union patron at Karrai Secondary School . Great connections made today.
![PHOTO-2025-07-12-12-33-48[3]](/Images/content/1417/1416146.jpg)
Outreach on the streets in the afternoon.
Day 7, Thursday 10th July
Dan writes,
We had an early start from KEFRI Marigat to get on the road to Nairobi. It was a lovely but long journey uphill all the way. We saw baboons, zebras and wild donkeys.
Arriving back in Nairobi we visited a polytechnic and shared some time with the students, including a gospel presentation. Tony performed a great magic trick alongside a message on living water. He still won't divulge to me how he does it.
Finally, after a long day, we went to the evening crusade at Rosegate. Tino preached on the blind man who called on Jesus for mercy. He exhorted the assembled people to cry out for God.
Sadly, Tino will be flying home tonight as he has an engagement this weekend but the remaining 6 of us are expectant of what God will do in these final days!
Thanks for your prayers!
The Team bid farewell to their hostess Dorcas, from Marigat church.
View point looking out towards Kilimanjaro, Cairo , Masai Mara
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Day 6, Wednesday 9th July
Tony writes,
After a leisurely alfresco breakfast and bible study (photo 1) the team joined the congregation of Deliverance Church Marigat for worship and a seminar on the Holy Spirit delivered by Dan.
Sam read the passage on which Dan preached (photos 2+4). We then split the congregation into small groups each with a TFMer so that they could pray for and speak over one another using their spiritual gifts.
In the afternoon we visited a girls' high school near Lake Bogoria which is south of Lake Baringo, about a half hour drive. The 90 or so students were engaged and lively, joining in with dancing and singing, listening to Jo's powerful testimony and Tino's inspirational message (photo 6) on the early years of Samuel's life (photo 3). It seemed that they all gave their lives to Jesus by praying a prayer of confession and commitment. Praise God for this generation!
Tino preaching at the Magarat deliverance church
Day 5, Tuesday 8th July, Lake Baringo
A 6-minute video filmed by the Kenyan team of the visit to Ol Kokwe Island in Lake Baringo. See also Lynseys report below.
Lynsey writes,
We set out on our journey early as we had four schools to visit. The first two schools meant crossing lake Baringo by boat. Pastor James prayed loudly on the shore with a crowd gathering. Before we left, two young men gave their lives to the Lord!
We were already praising God!
After a smooth crossing we were greeted warmly by the school children and teaching staff. Tony used the three ropes trick to demonstrate the trinity, Dan preached on how much Jesus loves children, Jo and myself used songs, dancing and puppets. Celia demonstrated with cards we have a choice to choose Jesus. Many children put hands up and prayed! We gave each child crayons and tracts for younger children and then New Testaments for the older ones. We also gave footballs to the school and the teachers all received bibles.
After the presentation we joined with teams from Nairobi and Maragat in handing out food to the parents queuing outside. The scene reminded me of Jesus feeding the hungry crowd. There were not as many as five thousand but clearly the need was great.
We headed back to shore with the temperature about 30oc, spotting only one crocodile! The boat crew were waiting and the football kits Tony had brought with him were given to them as they’d already formed a team!
The next two schools also received us very well. Jo and myself did puppets with songs again, Tony shared the Gospel message from his book without words, Sam shared a great testimony, and Dan preached on Gods destiny for us all. The children all prayed prayers and were again handed New Testaments, crayons and tracts. Bibles given to teachers.
Despite living in impoverished conditions, our Kenyan brothers and sisters were joyous .
We were humbled by what the Lord had done today and it was a joy to be serving them. The day belonged to Jesus and we thank him so much.
Please pray for Lynsey has a possible eye infection from a bite and requires antibiotics (It's good to have our own Dr on hand in Tony!)
Pictures from Lake Baringo, 260km NNE from Nairobi.
Day 4, Monday, 7th July
Sam writes,
After a long journey up the rift valley last night we were glad to have the opportunity to rest this morning. We also had the first opportunity to look around our accommodation in the light, and I'm sure the team would agree that it is incredibly peaceful and the serenity of the nature was amazing. We have already seen a number of different birds as well as a monkey.
Following a lovely breakfast, we had the opportunity to meet together as a team and discuss the sacrifice of Abraham and his strong faith in God's plan for us.
This afternoon, we have visited two schools, the first being a primary school and the second being an All Boys High School. At both we ran an assembly for the students looking at destiny and how God has a purpose for each one of us and it is up to us to make the right choices. After returning to KEFRI (our accommodation) for some supper, we left for a revival meeting at the Deliverance Church were Lyndsey gave her testimony and Tony spoke on Hope in the Holy Spirit. We then had the blessing of a time of worship and prayer to allow the Holy spirit to move and fill each of us!
Tomorrow we look forward to visiting the island on Lake Baringo.
Celia talking to the students at the Primary School on the importance of the cross.
Dan and Tino singing an action song with the students
Dan speaking to the boys at the high school, encouraging them to explore their God-given purpose.
Day 3, Sunday 6th July
James 1:2.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
Celia writes,
We were blessed at the two services at Darorgetti this morning. Both in the message given by Dan in the first service and Tino in the second and the wonderful praise and worship.
During the second service, Jo, Lynsey and myself went to the children’s ministry held in a classroom, which was approx. 4m x 5m. When 50 children of various ages were sat on chairs in there, it certainly seemed much smaller!
Lynsey gave a short talk followed by her and Jo giving two puppet performances to songs. Followed by the action song , Jumping for Jesus , which the children thoroughly enjoyed and asked for an encore.
We returned to Pastors James’ and Margaret's house and eventually left there to go to Marigat some time after 4pm.
The seven of us and Pastors James and Margaret left in two cars with our luggage. After about 40 minutes Pastor James’ car developed a fault. We all pulled into a service area and as his car was out of action, brothers in Christ from Darorgetti came with a replacement car and a third car with their team in.
We left there. Very heavy traffic for more than half the way and eventually arrived in Marigat at 11.10. To a warm welcome from the hotel team and the Marigat pastors. We have victory in Jesus! This mission is troubling the enemy who is trying to put the spanner in the works!
Hallelujah!
And Tony adds this for the 2 photos below.
Sam giving his testimony at the Alliance High School Sunday Service to about 1,000 students.
The visitors and our hosts at the Alliance High School.
Day 2, Saturday 5th July - Nairobi
Tino writes,
The second day of mission began with thought provoking spirit encouraging team time followed by breakfast by our gracious hosts. Spiritually and physically fed we were grateful, ready and rearing to get to work, this was to involve some prophetic seminars then a crusade in the evening.
The morning was spent in the city first at Deliverance Church, Dageroti junction where the church had arranged for prophetic seminars and a medical camp with a focus on children especially up to 5 years old. This children would be provided with medication for my pharmacy that was set up just behind the consultation gazebo. From our team Sam and Joe were there with different forms of interaction and entertainment for the children ranging from conversation and bubbles, to puppets.
This took place simultaneously with the seminar that done was leading and spoke a powerful word showing how gift and fruit of the Holy Spirit then I revealed in the New testament are also seen in the old testament. Through a story of Naaman, the maidservant and Elisha the team and congregation were encouraged to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy, and to avail ourselves to be used of God without monetising service. All TFM team allowed God to speak through them prophetically to the church and the church engaged in a time of prayer.
Plans were somewhat adapting to time and so after the session a break was given and the local team began setting up for the evening crusade.
The crusade further in town, "open field" with loud music and dancing was to capture the attention of those living in neighbouring high rise apartments and those in the town shopping or travelling back home.
The younger people of the church led those gathered in various dances before the worship team led the congregation in song. Dan then preached the gospel and pleaded with heaters to choose life in Jesus.
At the time of the altercall in particular the Holy Spirit seemed to hold the attention of passers-by who needed a touch of the Lord. Members of the team were either praying or identifying and supporting those whom the Holy Spirit had called to Himself.
Day 2 ended with a lovely meal back at base with a team grateful for seeing an increase in the work of the spirit.
Hallelujah.
Jo reading the scripture with Dan preparing to speak at the Saturday evening crusade in Nairobi
Day 1, Friday 4th July - The first evening crusade in Nairobi
Jo writes,
What a day!
The day started with breakfast and a wonderful team time with bible study, prayer
and worship. Then preparations for the day. Celia kindly lent us her wisdom and experience in preparing for using puppets in the afternoon. Lynsey stepped into the breach in faith this morning, learning 2 songs with puppets for the first time ever, speaking a beautiful gospel talk and then performing with Jo this morning at the Eagles wings academy a primary school based in Pastor James and Margaret's Church building with children aged 3-12. Their motto is 'fly to the top'! Tony did a few magic tricks including making snow and stopping water from pouring out a bottle and speaking of Jesus as the living water. Dan also spoke to the children and they all chose to ask for God's Holy Spirit. The children were an inspiration quoting many Scripture quotes from memory. All had fun with an action song 'Jumping for Jesus' and the afternoon's presentation seemed to be well received.
We joined the crusades this evening and there was worship on the street, a testimony from Lynsey and a powerful talk from Tony about the centurion at the cross. God was so faithful large dark rain clouds barely dripped on us and waited until we were safe home to pour. 12 young men came forward and gave their life to Jesus.
Hallelujah God is good!
Lynsey speaking with Pastor James acting as interpreter and Tony in the background.
Children's church. Jo and Lynsey doing puppets.
Day 0, Thursday evening 3rd July - Arriving in Nairobi
Jo writes,
What a start, what a welcome! We have heard Karibu sana (you are very welcome) a very many times. We were greeted at the airport like royalty with fresh flowers for each team member presented by small children!
We heard that on the church's Street mission which they call 'crusades' this evening 5 people gave their life to Jesus.
Day 0, Thursday 3rd July - Heathrow, 7.30am!
The team have arrived safely for their flight. May Spirit guide and keep them.
L-R: Sam. Jo, Celia, Lynsey, Tony, Dan and Tino.
Day -1, Wednesday 2nd July
Tony Males writes,
The Hope Kenya Mission team are all jabbed up, packed up and (hopefully) aiming for an early night tonight as we look forward to gathering in the departures area of Heathrow terminal 5 at silly o'clock tomorrow morning!
Please pray for Celia Tayler who fell yesterday while cleaning her car and hurt some ribs. A trip to A&E ruled out any serious damage and pronounced her fit to fly. It will probably still hurt for a while, especially when she laughs, so do lift her to the Lord for healing and pain relief.
The team has been blessed with a whole Watford FC team strip and 20 footballs to share with schools. Please pray for wisdom on how best to distribute these.
Lastly please prayer for our families, that the Lord will protect them while we are away.