Matt and Amy-Lynn Ness (’11, BSc & ’11, BA), who met during their undergraduate days at Trinity Western University, recently uprooted their family nine time zones away, to apply their medical and educational degrees on a three-month mission trip in Kenya.
But, while their talents have been applied within the local hospital and educational environments, it’s been the spiritual component from the people of the east African country that has left the Canadian couple utterly humbled, energized, and grateful for the experience.
Return to Kenya
The desire to get involved in this type of life-altering encounter had been on the family’s mind for a long period of time. Matt, who has practiced rural family medicine on Vancouver Island for the past 6.5 years, alongside Amy-Lynn, an elementary teacher, had plans to act on a mission trip prior to COVID-19. However, after re-connecting with African Inland Mission during Mission Fest following the pandemic, the duo decided to pursue the opportunity in Kenya. The decision resulted in a bit of a homecoming for Matt, as he had previously spent time in the country during his youth, due to his father being a family doctor in the same area decades ago. It has also fueled their family with an abundance of emotions, learnings, and spiritual development.
Faithful staff
Matt Ness reflects on what has stood out to him, “Most of the staff are very outspoken about their faith. It’s so different from what we’re accustomed to in Canada."
"For example, it’s routine before we start rounds each day that we'll just pray. Sometimes, someone will even sing a song before we start work. Additionally, their knowledge of Scripture is so relevant to each situation; it's so real for them. Both my wife and I have been shocked by how authentic their prayers are in terms of boldness and confidence. It’s really challenged and inspired us,” says Matt.
Serving in Kijabe
The staff serve in Kijabe, a small missionary community with a population of 2,000 people, who possess a notorious reputation for their high standard of medical expertise and quality care. Some patients travel up to six hours away from the coast of Kenya just to see the medical team for a simple issue, while others face more complex problems that require advanced investigations to determine a diagnosis. However, while any health problem can be a cause for concern, the subsequent financial component is an equally heavy burden for many patients.
As Matt highlights, “I think our public health care system is unique in Canada, in particular that people can walk into a hospital and expect that everything is going to be paid for. If you need a CT scan or MRI, that's what you get. In Kenya, the patients need to pay for any services they receive. It’s just the way things work to be able to keep the hospital running and to pay the nursing staff. The real challenge is knowing what investigations are necessary and to order the appropriate tests for the patients, which is a large part of my daily responsibilities.”
Equipped for service
The foundation for these types of critical medical decisions was absorbed more than a decade ago while at TWU, where Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. “I think prior to going to medical school, I felt really well-prepared for the science aspect, just due to the smaller class sizes and the more personal nature of TWU. My professors expected a lot of me, and I expected a lot of myself. So, that translated really well in medical school; but it also provided me with a solid grounding and faith.”
Separately, Amy-Lynn, who achieved a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies at TWU, also received an opportunity on the mission trip to be an elementary science teacher at Rift Valley Academy, with God providing her an opening to fill a major educational gap at the school. Over 500 students attend the school, including the Ness’s children. The school has a reputation for welcoming missionary students from all over the world, such as Canada, U.S., U.K., and South Korea, while still acting as an essential educational institution for Kenyan students, making it an extremely multinational environment full of people from all different walks of life.
Meaningful and lasting connections
With their experience being nothing but positive so far, the family are now in conversations about extending their stay past the three-month marker. Matt, who played TWU Titans soccer, has been able to witness the passion for the sport in a different continent with AFCON 2023 occurring only two months ago. Additionally, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the relationships that formed during the couple’s time at TWU have also continued to this day, which just saw them visit their long-time friends, Jacob and Amy Ott (’12, BSc & ’13, BA), who have lived in Tanzania for years doing mission work as well. “These types of connections are meaningful and obviously lasting. It’s impactful on us, just seeing what other people are doing. It’s also inspiring, very confidence boosting, to see that other people can do it,” concludes Matt.
A mission trip full of spiritual development, educational application, lasting memories, inexpressible emotions, and abundant relationships; all while living only nine time zones away from home.
About TWU Alumni
Whether you’re a recent graduate or one of TWU’s original alumni pioneers, you belong here. Our desire is to nurture an engaged and flourishing global community of alumni who are serving God and people in the various marketplaces of life. We invite you to stay connected, proudly represent TWU, and participate in the University’s vision to equip graduates for life. Learn more at TWU Alumni.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.