Take Me With You! Chad and Ella Stanley Go to Africa

When Ella Stanley returned home from Malawi, Africa, last summer, the first thing she said was, "I'm booking my ticket now for next summer!" Although she was entering her senior year of high school and had a busy year ahead, she was already dreaming of returning to the place that had captured her heart.

Ella and her mom, Lindsey, went to Malawi that year with a team from Summit. While there, the team partnered with Children of the Nations (COTN) to put together a VBS for kids with special needs and their families. Ella says that she instantly felt connected to the new friends she met there.

When Ella returned home, she lost no time telling her dad, Chad, all about her experience. Chad knew that the trip was going to impact Ella. But he was surprised to see how long it lasted.

"I saw the mark that the Malawi trip left on her," says Chad. "But I guess I expected to see it fade over time. It never did."

Chad already knew he wanted to go to Africa to visit one of Summit's global partners, but he wasn't sure when the right time would be. After thinking about it for a few months, he attended an Africa interest meeting. Soon after, he realized God was giving him the perfect opportunity to share the experience with his daughter. And so, just one short summer later, Ella got her wish. She was back on a plane headed to Malawi. And this time, her dad was aboard!

When Ella, Chad, and the rest of the team arrived in Malawi, they got to work preparing for the VBS. This year's theme was Unlikely Helpers. The team shared stories from the Bible about people who were willing to be used by God. Esther, Moses, and David may not have looked like anyone important to the outside world. But they said yes when God asked them to take action. Ella notes that this message was important to share with kids with disabilities. "These people in the Bible made an impact for God, and we wanted the kids to know that they can, too."

And they did! The families who attend this VBS come from three different villages in Malawi. So, not all the kids know each other well. But as the camp went on, Ella was proud to see them helping each other. The older kids took the initiative to help the younger ones participate in the camp activities.

Chad was especially touched by a young man at camp named Myanko. Myanko has physical and developmental disabilities, and Chad saw him grow into a leader at camp. He sang, danced, and spoke about his love for God.

The kids weren't the only ones who had a blast at VBS. The caregivers (the adult who provides primary care for each child—whether it be a parent or another family member) were also invited to participate. Providing full-time care for a special needs child can feel isolating at times. The VBS created a space for the caregivers to talk about their day-to-day experiences. And although they were quiet at first, they soon opened up about their lives and formed a community.

One of Chad's favorite memories was taking the whole crew to Capital Kids Play, a small amusement park with trampolines and slides. Of course, the kids had fun. But Chad recalls seeing the caregivers join in, too! "They started laughing and playing like kids," he says. "You could see in that moment that burdens were lifted."

Joining a team headed to Malawi is always a special experience. But having a loved one go along for the ride with you can be extra special. For Chad, seeing the joy his daughter had on the trip confirmed something he'd known for a long time: Ella is a leader and a friend who cares deeply about God and people. As she heads off to college this fall, Chad knows she has a bright future ahead of her.

And seeing Chad get out of his comfort zone made Ella proud of her 'ol dad. "I saw him play with kids and act silly with them, and it was really cool," she says. She also can't resist adding, "It was a little bit of an I-told-you-so moment!"

Chad and Ella think everyone should take a trip to Malawi. But they also recognize that there can be real fears. "Of course, there may be fears about health, safety, or even about the benefits of a short-term trip," Chad says.

"Don't ignore your fears," adds Ella. "Think through them. And then talk to someone who has been before about any worries you have. I think that is the best thing you can do. There were a lot of people on this summer's trip who had never been before. I tried my best to answer all their questions."

And at the end of the day, if you feel God tugging at your heart to go, then go!

"Book the ticket," says Ella. And then, with a smile, quickly adds, "And take me with you!"

Written by Media Team writer, Michael Murray
Michael is a long-time Summit partner and author of five devotional books. He has a passion for sharing the good news that every single person matters to Jesus. Michael loves spending time with his wife, Diana, and their son, Emmett.