Wheels for 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)

Mission Trips

Every year, Luke 14 Ministries holds a wheelchair distribution in Kenya. We bring medical professionals, mechanics, and administrative support from the United States to partner with our Kenyan friends at King's Ambassadors Christian Ministries International and give 200 of our disabled friends in Kenya the gift of mobility.

If you are a physician, a nurse, 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!

We like to tell people that this is the most advanced missions opportunity we have, not to discourage, but so people are aware of the challenges they will face. This is not a trip for a first time missionary or someone who has never been exposed to those with disabilities. The Wheels for Kenya trip will challenge you on every level, and we hope that is exciting to you!

That doesn't mean there aren't blessings from being involved with the trip. Giving the gift of mobility to someone who has literally crawled in the dirt their whole life is an experience unlike any other. We just want you to understand the challenges that are inherent in spending two weeks in a developing nation.

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.