In 2016, I traveled to Kenya on a mission trip where I met John Oldikany, a faithful follower of Christ serving in his village of Namuncha. What began as a brief connection grew into a lasting friendship, rooted in a shared faith and a desire to see the Gospel lived out in tangible ways. Through that relationship, I witnessed both the beauty of the community and the challenges many families face, and the Lord began to place a burden on my heart for the people there.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, that burden became a call to act. When schools closed, John lost his job as a teacher, and many families in his village struggled to meet even their most basic needs. In that season, Relentlessly Kind was born as a simple response of obedience to trust God, step forward in faith, and serve where there was need. Through the generosity of others, we were able to provide food, resources, and encouragement during a time of uncertainty. What began as a response to immediate need has grown into an ongoing mission shaped by faith.
Today, Relentlessly Kind exists to support education and care for the most vulnerable in the Maasai community of Kenya. We walk in partnership with John, whose heart for Christ and commitment to his community allow needs to be identified and met in a deeply personal way. Together, we work to remove barriers to education by funding school fees and supplies, while also caring for widows, the elderly, and vulnerable families.
In many parts of Kenya, education is more than academics. It is often a child’s only pathway out of poverty and into a future filled with opportunity, stability, and hope. Staying in school helps protect children from early marriage, child labor, exploitation, and life on the streets while giving them the tools to build a better future for themselves and their families.
We believe that faith calls us to serve, to give, and to love our neighbors well. We trust that God will use even the smallest act of kindness to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Objectives:
- Provide scholarships and educational support for students to remain in school and purse brighter futures
- Support vulnerable families through monthly food assistance to help address hunger and food insecurity
- Promote long-term sustainability by providing livestock, such as goats, to families in need
- Distribute Bibles and faith-based resources so individuals, families, and churches have access to the Gospel and spiritual encouragement
- Partner with trusted local leaders to identify practical needs and ensure support is distributed with dignity, accountability, and care
Meet Alyssa:
Alyssa was raised in New Bern, North Carolina by her mother affer her parents divorced when she was five years old. Her family faced many of their own struggles growing up, and although she believed in God, she did not have a personal relationship with Him. From a young age, Alyssa had a compassionate heart and often poured herself deeply into caring for others. Over time, a series of life-changing events, including a serious car accident involving her stepmother; became part of the story God used to draw both hor father, and eventually Alyssa herself, to Christ. In 2016, Alyssa traveled to Kenya for the first time with Love Africa Mission, a trip that would leave a lasting impact on her life.
During her time there, she met John Oldikany and witnessed firsthand the strength, faith, and joy of the local community despite significant challenges. The experience deepened her heart for missions and created a lifelong connection to the people and work being done in Kenya. As former teachers, both Alyssa and John share a passion for education and believe deeply in the power of giving children hope for a better future. Today, Alyssa is married to her husband Kyle, an active duty fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corps. This July, they will celebrate 9 years of marriage. Together they have a joyful toddler named Rory, a heavenly son named Rowan, and another beautiful baby girl on the way. Through every season, Alyssa’s desire remains the same: to faithfully love others, serve where God calls, and reflect the hope of Christ through aots of compassion and generosity:
Favorite Verse – Matthew 7:25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
Meet John:
John was born in 1988 in Namuncha, a Maasal village in Kenya, and was primarily raised by his grandmother, a strong woman of faith whom he considers his greatest influence. Growing up in a Maasal village, access to education was rare and deeply valued.
John was a bright and determined student who went on to become the top-performing student in his school’s history on the national exam. Despite his academic success, his family faced significant hardship and could not afford the school fees needed for him to continue his education. Instead of pursuing further schooling, John began working to help support his family. He endured many challenges during those years, at times even going without food, but through it all, his faith in the Lord never wavered. Because of his own childhood experiences and the opportunities he was unable to access, John developed a deep passion for serving others. Today, he is committed to sharing the hope of Christ while helping support children and vulnerable families in his community so they can have hope for a better future. John has been married to his wife, Faith, since 2016.
Together they have four beautiful children of their own. In addition to caring for their family. John and Faith have opened their home to two high school girls whom John rescued from early childhood marriage. Through his advocacy and support, he was able to find sponsors to help the girls remain in school and continue pursuing their education and future dreams.
Favorite Verse – Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
