Syracuse Alum’s Faith Leads To Kenyan Mission Trip

by Krista Norton | July 24, 2025

 She has often recalled if it wasn’t for the Ron Ewys, the Marty Lehmans, Paul Zuzelskis, Denise Finlays, Janet Weis of the world, she would not be where she is today or who she has become. 

2006 SHS graduate Cheyenne (George) Strunk is the daughter of Brook Hughs and the late Eddie George. Her life was forever changed after her recent mission trip with Eden’s Hope to poverty-stricken Kenya, Africa. 
Kenya, on the eastern coast of Africa, has an approximate population of 50 million with a significant number under the age of 25. 

“In the United States, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle, we take for granted the joy around us,” said Strunk. “There are millions of needs in the slums of Nairobi, I was inspired by Eden’s Hope because the needs are great!”  

Eden’s Hope, an organization that serves children, women and children in unplanned pregnancies, and those who are at risk of becoming street kids to ensure they have a safe place to learn, grow, and be discipled. 

Founder of Eden’s Hope, Haley Reed, led her first mission team to Kenya in 2017 and has returned 14 times. She recalls an outfit her dad brought back from Kenya which sparked excitement and curiosity as a five-year-old.   
“One of my friends in Kentucky is a youth pastor and her team was going to Kenya through Eden’s Hope so I asked if I could go along,” said Strunk. 

Getting there required planning, fundraising and training. “Our group had to raise $75,000,” said Strunk. 
Their first mission upon arriving in Kenya? Vacation Bible School! People donated large suitcases to take supplies for VBS along with other items which supported their mission.

During winter in Kenya, many schools have a break, but it means the children are not fed. “Our timing was good,” said Strunk. 

The kids would come to them, and they hosted a typical VBS, which included, crafts, singing, bible lesson, recreation, and snacks, averaging 250-400 kids ages 18 months and up. 

Strunk knew moms sent them because they knew there was food. “It was heartbreaking.” 

“We brought a suitcase of beads for them to make bracelets,” explained Strunk. “Something so simple to our kids was fascinating to them because they have never been able to do that.”

They also brought 180 shirts for the kids to tie dye and to take home. “Not only did they not know what that was, but they had never been given a tee shirt!” she said.

One day, they rented a park area, and bussed kids from the Eden’s Hope location. Again, retrieving supplies they brought with them, they took soccer balls, wiffle balls, bats, kick balls, jump ropes and they got to play in the park all day, and of course fed them lunch. 

Strunk learned from Haley, this is the first time most of them have seen grass, first time they saw a park, and first time many of them have seen a new soccer ball, played baseball, or held a bat. 

Eden’s Hope afternoons consisted of a different kind of ministry, visiting teen moms in the maternity unit at the hospital and making home visits. “There is a lot of teen pregnancy because girls sell their bodies to help provide for the family,” said Strunk. “That is where Eden’s Hope comes in.”

It costs $60 (US) to have a baby, and they must prepay. Without funds, the mom must deliver at home or on the street. 

Haley’s organization helps pay for the delivery but then wants the teen mom to enter Eden’s Hope program to learn life skills to be able to raise their baby in a different environment.

Being a single mother is very prevalent, something Haley’s organization is trying to help with by teaching them about their bodies, how they can avoid becoming a single mom, and what a family looks like. 

Simultaneously they minister to the boys, hopefully shifting the culture in Kenyan men. 
“Not only did we do home visits but also did a teen mom bible study,” Strunk explained. “Fifty-six came and we were able to share the goodness of God, not only what he has done in our life, but what God is able to do in their life.”

The teen moms, if they came to Saturday’s bible study and participated, were able to choose five items. “These were items we donated ourselves, anything from clothes our kids had outgrown or onesies,” explained Strunk. “One commented they have never been able to get anything for free in their life and the fact their baby now had five outfits is a huge deal!” 

Strunk found it is not uncommon for people in Kenya to say they are Christian, but for them to be able to truly understand a personal relationship with Christ is a step they are still trying to understand.

“We were surprised at how many had a Bible. But we did take fifty with us and we were able to donate them specifically to the moms of the sponsored children, so they as a family have a Bible they can use,” said Strunk. 
“Out of the girls in my group I asked how many were with the baby’s dad and none of them were,” said Strunk. “Then I asked how many knew where the baby’s dad was. There was a handful, a few said they could find him.” 
Fortunately, language was not a barrier, and they asked some hard-hitting questions. Strunk was asked how she responds when her husband beats her, or how do your kids respond when you beat them? 

“That is common in their culture and the family unit feels more like survival to me,” she explained. “The kids are expected to start being supportive of the family or independent in their teenage years.” 

Part of Haley’s mission is teaching godly ways of parenting where you can get respect and discipline without physical abuse, stressing God calls up to be those parents.

Haley said when you tell one of the kids you love them, it’s probably the first time they have heard that and when they hugged the children, it was possibly the first time.   

Unfortunately, she must turn away people due to financial restrictions and lack of staff. Strunk was blessed to jump into Haley’s routine for a week.  

The missions group was able to take advantage of an opportunity to go on a safari. 

Leaving Kenya early one morning, they headed to Nairobi National Park. “We got in a safari van, entered the park, and the next thing you know, there’s a giraffe, then a rhino, and a herd of zebras. It was really cool!” said Strunk. 
While watching a herd of zebras, the guide pointed out a lioness who was focused on the herd, looking for the weakest one, “The circle of life!” she added. 

They were lucky to see a lion and lioness, but certainly did not expect to see an ostrich. “That was interesting!”    
How did Strunk’s faith grow to where it is today, wanting to travel to Kenya? She is thankful to many people, the first is Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization while she was attending SHS. 

The FCA was spearheaded by former teachers Bill and Autumn Peeper. “That meant a lot to me, camps to Oklahoma in the summer,” adding, “And also Wednesday night Bible studies at Beverly Holdren’s house.”  

One of her biggest things in her faith journey was being a part of the youth group at the Methodist Church.” Strunk added, “I also remember Rick Mathias leading worship songs and hymns at the church, a core memory of mine.” 
 She has often recalled if it wasn’t for the Ron Ewys, the Marty Lehmans, Paul Zuzelskis, Denise Finlays, Janet Weis of the world, she would not be where she is today or who she has become. 

“All of these collectively were a large part of rooting my faith in what is has become now. The older I get, the more I feel I have been blessed in my life, and I want to give back,” she said.

Spending nine days in an area with little or no electricity and no running water Strunk admits it takes a few weeks after returning home to process a mission trip to a third world country. “I’m glad I was prepared for that through our ministry training” 

She sees herself returning there. There was such a connection with Haley and Eden’s Hope. Even though poverty is great, they are happy people. This is all they know, and they have such joy. Haley said poverty does not equal misery!

“God bless her and all she does, living in Kenya full time, and has no plans of ever returning to the United States, that is her home,” said Strunk. 

Strunk has been married to husband, Tim for 12 years, and they have three children. “We are doing great and still doing God’s work!” 

Strunk has a quest to go to all seven continents, and now has marked Africa off her list! 

 

Pictured - Cheyenne (George) Strunk with Haley Reed