Why Bungoma, Kenya?

The Bys Family Story

Jeff Bys (pronounced Beese) and his wife, Stephanie, set out during November of 2016 with their 7 youngest children. The ages of their children at the time of the move were Caitie (16), Karson (13), Brendan (11), Ava-Joy (11), Violet (7), Aspen (3), and Reed (2). The Bys family sold all they owned while also giving away careers and savings to serve God as full-time missionaries. They desired to help the needy under a clear call by God to do so. But why Bungoma, Kenya?

Their reasons were many, but ultimately it was through a mission trip made by Jeff and David Shelton that created a love for Kenya in the entire Bys family. On the trip, Jeff got to work side-by-side with Kenyan pastors, and he saw many unmet needs in the villages. God was leading him to do something; it was the love of Christ that compelled him. Jeff and David saw how they could do so much good with relatively few resources. With their desire to do the most good and by God’s divine leading, they chose Bungoma. They also saw a receptiveness to the Gospel in the Kenyans. As the Lord Jesus said in John 4:35, "the fields are ripe unto harvest but few are the workers.” The Bys want to be faithful workers and deliver the Gospel message through the teaching of truth and acts of compassion. Where God leads, they will go, and it seemed very clear that Bungoma was the place God was calling them to go and be his hands and feet.

Kenya has many orphans due to rampant disease and poverty. These issues coincide with a lack of education to kill so many poor among them, and it only takes a small amount to radically change that! The streets of Bungoma are also filled with abandoned boys struggling to survive. These boys, known as “street boys,” are outcasts in the society and even among the local churches of Kenya. Few Kenyans feel that the street boys are worthy of their time or resources. They appear to many as a lost cause. But we know better because of the Word of God! We read that God has rescued us, sinners, by the loving compassion of Christ Jesus who was brought from death to LIFE by the Spirit! And this is His mission for us, so we go without fear trusting in our Mighty God to help us be his ambassadors of faith, hope, and love, even to the most outcast of the world! God is with us!

Together we are all building a life-changing gospel ministry called Mercy Ministries - AFM Africa. We are trusting that God will provide for monthly needs through fellow believers like you. Through Mercy Ministries - AFM Africa, we hope to change many lives for Jesus! The Bys family has given it all for Jesus to serve the little ones of Kenya. Will you join us in giving and being our partners in Kenya? We need your prayers, your weekly and daily encouragements, your visits to see them, and your financial help. Help us “change their story” as we grow fully devoted followers of Christ.

“Few Kenyans feel that the street boys are worthy of their time or resources. They appear to many as a lost cause. But we know better because of the Word of God!”

Jeff and Stephanie sit down to give a 30 minute talk about who they are and what they are doing in Kenya September 2021.