Dream Bags Go to Kenya
The Thursday Mission Sewing team has been making “dream bags” for the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) for several years. Dream bags are brightly colored pillowcases that can also double as a tote. These items are given out by social workers, firefighters, and police officers. DCF focuses on foster children but these bags also go to other children in crisis who may be in a vulnerable situation without any way to carry their personal belongings to their next location.
Before our international mission team of 15 people left in June 2025 for Thwake, Kenya, we asked this group if they might send us with dream bags for the young residents who reside in the Girls’ Home. The Girls’ Home brings security and stability to girls in jeopardy—ensuring that they grow up with plenty of food, a stable education, and a loving environment (Thwake Village Partnership funds help cover their expenses—housing, food, education, healthcare, and more). The answer was a resounding, “Yes!” Some of the people who would be traveling—including Village member and senior content editor Michelle O’Neal and young-adult pastor Rev. Maggie Johnson Phillips—gathered in the sewing room with the team to pray over the bags. Pastor Maggie wrote a blessing for the occasion (read an excerpt below).
“Gracious God, you are the original Dreamer. Before the first breath was taken, you dreamed. You dreamed of today just as You dreamed of the waters of Creation so long ago. You care about our dreams. Holy Creator, we ask that you bless these dream bags. These bags will be carried from Mission Road about 8,000 miles to Thwake, Kenya. For the hands that have mended and sewn and stitched, we offer deep gratitude. The ministry of Mission Sewing has woven love, care, and compassion into these symbols of hope. Most of all, Holy Spirit, we wonder about the dreams of the girls who will receive these bags. For just as you know our dreams, you too know the dreams of the girls in Thwake Village who will use these bags to grow and to thrive. We ask that you surround the girls with love, comfort, and protection all the days of their lives. May they always be surrounded by your grace, and may these bags provide for them joy and love. Bless your Church of the whole world. Amen.”
About a week later, on the other side of the world, our team delivered them with joy and thanksgiving to the girls who vary in age from 10 to about 21 years old. We used donated funds to add nightgowns, socks, undergarments, sunglasses, a journal, pens and markers, and reusable menstrual products. We also gave bags to the two matrons (who live with the girls year-round) full of items that they could use and enjoy.
Thank you to all our sewists for their contributions to this ministry. There are about 20 active sewists who dedicate their Thursday mornings to Mission Sewing. You are invited to join us from 10 a.m. to noon in the sewing room at Mission Campus (Room 115, just beneath the chapel). Questions? Contact Nancy Cantril: 913-638-8049. There is also a sewing group who meets regularly on Tuesdays.
Thank you also to all who supported our extraordinary journey to Kenya with donations and prayer. To see more photos and learn about the Thwake Village Partnership, follow them on Facebook or visit their web page.