A church in Virginia is mourning the death of a mother of four who traveled to Kenya on a Christian mission trip to serve orphaned children before falling critically ill with a severe Salmonella infection.
Ayla Garcia, 36, of Richmond, Virginia, died on July 24 after battling complications from the infection while receiving treatment in Nairobi. Her family said the illness was made more severe because Garcia lived with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that can increase the risk of serious infections.
Garcia had traveled to Kenya on June 30 with members of her family and her church to support Zion Family, a home for orphaned children. According to her family, she became ill after consuming contaminated ice during the trip. The infection rapidly spread to her kidneys, liver and bloodstream, forcing doctors to admit her to intensive care, where she underwent multiple blood transfusions and dialysis.
Before her death, Garcia documented parts of her journey on social media. In a video recorded from her hospital bed, she said, “Yes, I’m still in Kenya, and I'm trying to make it home,” as she struggled to breathe.
Her family initially expressed hope that she would recover.
In an update posted days before her death, relatives said Garcia was “progressing” and that she had begun breathing without oxygen support while doctors continued working to improve her kidney function. Despite those encouraging signs, her condition deteriorated and she died on July 24.
Speaking to Richmond television station WWBT before Garcia's death, her mother Patricia Garcia described how quickly the illness overwhelmed her daughter.
“It was surprising and very concerning that this thing had taken over so much that they had to put her in ICU,” Patricia Garcia said.
The family had been trying to raise money for a medical evacuation back to the United States after doctors determined Garcia was too ill to travel on a commercial flight.
“We thank everyone willing to give and willing to support, because we do really want her home,” Garcia's sister Maya Coles told WWBT during the family's fundraising effort.
After Garcia's death, the family’s focus shifted from medical evacuation to bringing her body back to the United States and covering outstanding medical expenses.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, niece, friend Ayla, has passed. Her fight against sickle cell was hard fought,” the family wrote in an update shared through their fundraising campaign.
Friends also remembered Garcia as a devoted Christian whose faith remained evident throughout her illness.
Zion Njeri, who was with Garcia during parts of her hospitalization, wrote on Instagram, “Ayla Garcia, I still can't believe you're gone.”
“You were more than a friend, you were my sister, my biggest supporter, and one of the greatest blessings God placed in my life,” Njeri wrote.
Reflecting on Garcia's final days, she added, “I watched you fight with incredible strength and faith.”
According to Kenyan outlet KDRTV, Garcia was admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital after a local resident advised the family to seek treatment there. The publication reported that relatives were informed late on July 23 that her condition had worsened beyond recovery.
Garcia is survived by four children, who range in age from preschool to high school. Her mother remembered her as someone whose life was marked by compassion and joy.
“She was a kindhearted person and she was funny,” Patricia Garcia said. “She was just so happy, go-lucky. She liked helping people.”
The tragedy has resonated with many Christians involved in short-term mission work, where thousands of volunteers travel each year to partner with churches, schools and children's ministries around the world.
For Garcia's family, however, the focus remains on honoring the life of a woman they say dedicated herself to serving others.
The family said they are working to return Garcia's remains to Virginia, where a memorial service will be held for the mother, daughter and missionary whose final journey was one of service to vulnerable children in Kenya.
