---------------------------------------- people------------------------------------- Juniors Ben Gerber, Chris Nicholson, Nathan Hendrix and Mark John– ston stand with Oneal Tankersley, missionary in residence, on the map of Africa in the Mclnteer rotunda. The group of juniors went to Africa in January for a one-year mission trip. (Photo by Russell Keck) 70 If people December was a warm winter month for juniors Ben Gerber, Chris Nich01son, Nathan Hendrix and Mark johnston. The quartet of juniors didn't make snowmen on the front lawn, but rather tried to make Christians of lost souls. They headed to Africa in january for a one-year stay as missionaries in Chepkong'ony, Kenya. With graduation only a year away, none had any dear plans for post-graduation life. i'None of us are Bible majors, and we were pretty undecided about what we wanted to do when we graduated," Gerber said. "We just listened to God. We came together because I feel that God put it on our hearts." Members of the group decided simply being involved in a Christian environment was not enough. There was more that God wanted for them, Johnston said. "Harding is a good place, and we had so much talent and energy that we wanted to use it. We wanted to do something bigger," johnston said. "The doors opened up, and they needed teachers." As the door opened, the four young men took the final steps needed for the trip. "We are going because we were open to God," Nicholson said. "It has to do with what He put in front of us - what He thought would be best for us." A six-week internship in the sununer was the normal stint for Harding students, but the goals the group wanted to meet required more than six weeks. "We wanted more time," Johnston said. "We wanted more time to adapt to the people and the culture." With adjustments ahead of them, they were not without help throughout the fall semester. The group prepared by going to missions workshops, eating Kenyan food and going camping. With preparation and prayer, all that was left was to go and do the work of God. "We just listened to God. We came together because I feel that God put it on our hearts." -junior Ben Gerber A small house provided shelter for the four. The house consisted of cement walls and a tin roof. The group had electricity from solar panels or car batteries. At night, a generator supplied their electrical needs, and there were solar-powered showers and occasional running water. Leaving America and moving to an African village required them to change their lifestyles and mindsets. "Our main objective is to go and see how we can serve them best," Nicholson said. "Not with the preset of what we are going to do, but to help them in whatever way we can."
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