From Short-Term Trip to Long-Term Mission

When Carolyn and Frank Van Boom decided to volunteer for a short-term mission trip, they didn’t realize the experience would turn into a long-term partnership in mission. 

“We were open to wherever God wanted us to go,” said Carolyn. “It was more about what to do rather than where.”

They looked into serving with several organizations including Resonate Global Mission. That’s when Carolyn found an opportunity on Resonate’s website to serve with Educational Care training. Based on biblical principles, Educational Care equips educators with best teaching practices and a Christian worldview of teaching. As a teacher herself, the opportunity to work alongside educators in another country excited Carolyn. She and her husband, Frank, met with a few Resonate ministry leaders and discussed possible countries where they could serve and what might be the best fit.

A few months later, the Van Booms were on a plane from Canada to Kenya.

“We just went ahead and saw what God did,” said Carolyn Van Boom.

Serving alongside Resonate missionary Mwikali Wambua and local ministry leaders in Kenya, the Van Booms jumped into what they said was “a meaningful seven weeks.” They connected with Oaknest Christian School, where Frank helped with maintenance in the schoolyard and with building a small kitchen where staff could cook and serve meals to students and staff, and Carolyn worked with the teachers. 

Carolyn also joined Wambua in leading two Educational Care training sessions. She was touched by the teachers’ heartfelt songs of praise and their commitment to developing authentic Christian education. Wambua also connected the Van Booms with a few other ministries in the area, including sewing classes in Kibera, an informal settlement.

Throughout the seven weeks of their trip, the Van Booms discovered ways in which they sensed God calling them to step into long-term partnership with Resonate—and now their work with Resonate has extended far beyond their short-term mission commitment. They returned to Kenya a second time the following year, and again in 2025. 

They have also built friendships, and, between visits, they have kept in touch with people they met in Kenya. They help to support a teacher Carolyn met who was raising her children as a single mom, provide tuition assistance for students at Oaknest Christian School, and fund sewing classes in Kibera. 

They said they also learned a lot from the people they were partnering with.

“There is mutual learning as people interact with the Kenyan community and professionals,” shared Wambua. “Intercultural exchange benefits the body of Christ by enhancing cross-cultural relationships and partnerships.”

“Seeing how people in Kenya value church community and care for one another—the depth of community, the interconnectedness—I take that back with me,” said Carolyn Van Boom. “I come back with a sense of wanting to dive deeper into community. It’s really obvious that God works in community, and in doing that, he empowers us more and more to accomplish what he wants to do.”

The Van Booms’ congregation, Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Edmonton, Alta., has been supportive and involved in the couple's work in Kenya as well. Recently they raised money to build a well in Juja Farm, Kenya, in partnership with a local Kenyan couple with whom they established the Oasis Ministry Center. The dinner fundraiser helped to increase awareness about Kenya, give opportunity for missional engagement, and celebrate what God is doing. 

Wambua noted that she has appreciated the Van Booms’ friendliness, wisdom, and patience, and that they embody Resonate’s posture of doing mission with the local community and not for the community.

“They work closely with locals to establish best practices for meeting community needs . . . and they encourage the use of locally available materials,” said Wambua.

The partnership continues to drive the couple’s heart for volunteering their time, energy, and resources today, added Carolyn Van Boom.

“How can I, here in Canada, be connected and have something to contribute there?” she asked. “We are so humbled to be part of God’s kingdom work in Kenya.”