Wheels for Kenya
“This is the Lord’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes!” - Psalm 118:23
Our Wheels for Kenya program is responsible for organizing and carrying out a wheelchair distribution program across Kenya.
About Wheels for Kenya
In October 2015, we had the opportunity to share what God has been doing through Luke 14 Ministries with an International Overflow Conference at Heritage Fellowship Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Christian leaders were there from 14 different countries, including Pastor Hudson Bande from Nairobi, Kenya. Pastor Hudson was moved by our presentation and asked if we would come to Kenya and help them start a ministry there. We agreed, and a few months later we found ourselves on a plane heading to east Africa to explore Kenya's needs and opportunities.
After realizing that mobility is a serious need there, we turned to Joni & Friends and asked if they could organize a wheelchair distribution through their "Wheels for the World" program. They declined as they were already maxed out, going to 26 other countries that year. But they did offer us 200 refurbished chairs if we would like to apply to become a “Harvest Project." We applied and were granted the 200 chairs, as well as additional walkers, canes, and crutches!
We began asking the Lord for a team, and 9 months later we found ourselves flying back to Africa with 16 beautiful people the Lord had hand-picked for service! Physical therapists, mechanics, nurses, and support people became the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to dear ones in a culture that views their disability as a curse from God. Being able to love and assure them that God loves them and wants them to know it and have this chair as a sign is a beautiful blessing to witness! As local pastors ministered to them after they received their chairs, the Gospel was shared in their own language and they were told, “God has remembered you this day”. Many gave their hearts to Jesus. He had seen their misery. He had heard their cries. He had shown them He was concerned about their suffering and was coming down to rescue them! (Exodus 3)
Join us on our next trip!
Click the link below to request access to our sign up form. We are excited to serve alongside you.
Wheelchairs
One of the sources of our wheelchairs is through the Joni and Friends’ Wheels for the World program. This program takes old wheelchairs that have been outgrown or discarded by their original users and refurbishes them before distributing them throughout the world! Watch this short video to see the process each chair goes through, from the garage where it is stored to its final recipient!
In addition to distributing wheelchairs, we are also happy to arrange the collection of outgrown or unused wheelchairs! If you have a chair you would like to donate, please contact Darlene LaPlue at darlene@luke14ministries.net.
Mission Trips
After leading distributions for several years, we began working with Hope Mobility in Kenya to distribute wheelchairs. Each year, Luke 14 Ministries in conjunction with Hope Mobility, holds a wheelchair distribution in Kenya. We bring medical professionals, mechanics, and administrative support from the United States to give 200 of our disabled friends in Kenya the gift of mobility.
If you are a physical or occupational therapist, mechanically inclined, an organized administrator, or in a profession similar to any of these, we would love for you to consider joining us on this trip!
There are many blessings from being involved with the trip. Giving the gift of mobility to someone who has literally crawled on the ground their whole life is an experience unlike any other.
There are a variety of support roles here in the United States to help prepare for the trip, and we would love to have your help! If you're interested, contact Darlene LaPlue at darlene@luke14ministries.net.
