Another of the new guys this year was my new friend, Kyle Hooker. Here’s a look at the trip from his perspective:
From my lens
Well let’s just start this out by telling you who I am. My name is Kyle Hooker. I am a husband and father of 4 kids. My oldest graduated this past May…Time sure has flown! I felt the “nudge” or prompted to go on this trip due to my love for people, and just choosing to care. I knew by how the doors were opened for me to go on this trip that God wanted me there. I have served in Prison Ministry for many years. I have been fortunate to teach Welding in the welding lab at Ivy Tech while I was a student there actually! For the last few years, I have really grown into a photographer and have found a great joy in sharing what God allows me to capture from my lens. I know how it’s impacted myself and have seen how this gift of vision has served others.
When I first learned of this trip, I thought of the rugged landscapes that I have only seen on television or photographs. I wondered ” how in the world can someone live out there?” I had no clue what I was about to encounter. I was just answering a call to serve. Lets just say that my eyes have been opened. Lloyd says to me as we were driving towards Kyle from Wanblee, “welcome to a third world country”. After seeing beautiful fields and hay bales for most of the trip between Kyle and Wanblee, I sat quietly and wondered what was about to be revealed.
Saturday
As we arrived in a small village called Potato Creek, we began to unpack bags and boxes of clothing, hats, diapers, and other goods. We set them up in rows and just kind of watched as people showed up from their homes and began to go through the stuff with excitement. It was surreal to see, and that was just the beginning. As we finished up with that, we packed back up in the church bus and returned to our camp.
Donated clothing
On Sunday, I was asked if I was comfortable driving the church bus, and thus began a week of service! When we first started to plan our trips to Potato Creek, it was kind of a scramble but we just rolled with it, and by Tuesday we had gone from complete strangers amongst each other to a family of servants and it was wonderful! It was very challenging to make it work, but I am telling you, this group was incredible at being flexible and willing to put the needs of the kids and adults that we were serving, above our own. As the week moved along, these children from the village would start to remember our names and our faces. Often, climbing on us, flying kites, playing basketball, riding bikes, blowing giant bubbles, or having us push them on the swing sets. Some of those kiddos would come alive while they were “flying” on the swings. Just bursting with joy, and laughter. It was in those moments, when I just saw “it”.
Flying kids
The team and I gave that village all that we had for the week that we were there and I was so grateful to have been “chosen” to go. There is a real need out there. A need for love. A need for trust. A need for renewal. Some of the same things that we need, here at home. We showed up to be the hands and feet and that is exactly what God allowed us to be. There was this energy that exists out there that was contagious, a family atmosphere. The fear of the unknown was gone because of that. I am grateful to have gone on this mission trip because it has opened the eyes of my heart. Next year I plan to take my family out there with us and show them the power of this ministry in the lives of those people and us out there.
Most of the gang from this year’s trip. Photo by Kyle Hooker, Hooked Photography.
Good Morning Kyle,
Thank you for this post. What you wrote here sort of cements my decision of coming out this June and helping. Not only am I looking forward to meeting Lloyd and everyone else, but as you say to “see with my heart” and be the hands and feet of Christ. Let Him, who is love, guide our thoughts and actions for a week free of all our normal day to day distractions we have living at home. I’m sure I will be “shaken” out of my comfort zone.
Looking forward to meeting you and your family.
Hello Ellen! I am just reading your response to my post from 2 years ago. I guess I wasn’t supposed to see it until now 🙂. It’s really awesome how we can impact each other at times! I truly hope that you enjoyed our trip out there last June. We did, and still reflect upon it often as a family. It was great to meet you and endure the week with you, your kindness and willingness to serve! Take care and hopefully will see you soon!
Kyle