The Power of the Ball

This week I had the opportunity to go with some of the leadership of the Nairobi City Stars and Ambassadors In Sport to travel to a part of Kenya where there is religious warfare. We were able to visit one of our brother's who has started a football team and is doing some amazing work over there. He is not allowed to share the gospel and is under constant surveillance by the town officials. During his practice session, many of our members were approached by spies and were being interviewed about our reason for our visit. Fortunately, I was able to miss all these interviews because I was able to train with the boys. They spoke a different form of Swahilli, but even though I had no idea what they were saying, we had one language in common, football. I cannot describe how we were able to communicate, but when my team had the ball we were able to work together and when we would lose the ball, we would work hard to make up for each other's mistakes. This was amazing for me to see, because at first they were timid to pass a mzungu (white man) the ball, but after a while it was like our skin color, heritage, clans, everything didn't matter any more. These particular group of men have been known to fight during practice sessions and games because their is so much hatred between the different clans, but on this day, it didn't matter. They shared the common goal, football. I will never forget the impact of this ball and am in constant amazement at the things that God can use to bring Him glory.

From Nothing to Everything

Yesterday, I was able to experience something that I never thought I would see. Poverty at its finest. My family here in Nairobi is made up of several brothers who literally come from nothing, but have more than I will ever have. The place that they call home is in the heart of Nairobi in the Mukuru Slum. Nairobi is made up of several slums, the biggest one that receives the most media attention is Kibera, but today its all about Mukuru, where my friends and brothers live. I was told that when I was going through a slum that all five of my senses would be touched and I never could have been prepared for what I was about to witness. I had seen photos, movies, but nothing could have prepared me for this. I could not get over that this is where these people live. Here, in this place, where trash, slug, and filth are exhorted. The smell of poop, pee, and days, maybe even week old trash builds up. People sleeping on dirty rags in the sun, just trying to stay out of peoples way. This degree of poverty is mind blowing and real. The only way to describe it is unbelievable.

Here are my friends with absolutely nothing and yet, they insist on showing us their prized possessions, which are pictures of their girlfriends, mother, or their little boy who has just been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They call us brothers and want to show us their lives. Their hospitality and generosity is just absolutely mind blowing! I mean here is a man who wakes up every morning at 5 am to provide barely enough money to feed his family for one day, his son is diagnosed with a major disorder, and I ask him how he makes it through each day and he says, "faith." Wow! And you should see the smile on this guys face when he says it. He's experienced it, lived it, and believes it with everything he has. If only I could have half of this man's faith. Going to their house has definitely been one of the greatest gifts that I could have ever been given. I will never forget this experience.

Poli Poli -- Little by little

It's hard to believe that already one week has flown by. Things at NCS (Nairbi City Stars) have started to pick up as the professional team is on week two of training, the Petra Boys start training in one week, and the Kickers Clinics will hopefully start this Saturday. So there is a buzz around the office that's ready for the season to begin. 

This past week has mostly been about learning, listening, and building relationships with the people here. From our secretary Dinah trying to teach me Swahili, to Robert showing me our marketing strategy for this season, to Benji, Justin, Stephen, Nicho, Jako, Gaga, and the rest of the coaches welcoming me and helping me get my feet on the ground. So far my travel outside of the office and apartment has been limited, but I am starting to use the matatu (taxi van) and buses a lot more. Today was my first trial by myself and thankfully I made it without any problems. I am still getting used to not eating big breakfasts and lunches and by the time dinner comes around my stomach is dominating my thoughts. Hopefully I'll be able to make that transition speed up. 

The internet over here definitely has it's moments when it's either really fast or just sucks. Olivia and I have had two nights where it was just frustrating trying to hear the other person talking. The Lord has been so good to Livs and I as we have both been able to connect and talk on a frequent basis. Since my day is happening when she is asleep, we have been able to work out a schedule that allows me to briefly see her in the morning after I go for a run and get ready for work when she's getting ready for bed, and then really catch up at around 9 o'clock at night my time, eleven am her time. Those times have been very special for me and there isn't one conversation that I don't cherish. I pray that the Lord will continue to give us strength to encourage one another in this battle over distance. Yesterday I was reading Shadow of the Almighty and one of the many things that Jim Elliot said about his future wife Elizabeth was that it seemed that even though they were doing this distance thing too, that God was "drawing them together" and his prayer was that one day they would serve him. So true of how I feel now. Poli Poli. Little by little, all of this will come to pass and I just continue to pray that God gives me a lot of grace as I continue to make this transition.Tutaonana

Day 2: The Beginning

So the beginning. I can't believe that it is actually here. Like I am in Kenya. SHOOT. I definitely feel a little overwhelmed at times, but that's just because this is the beginning and things will get better with time. I am so glad that I am here with Stephen and that God has brought me to this place. It will definitely be an adventure and an experience that I will never forget. Main thing is that I need to be is flexible and not have any expectations. So for now, this will have to do, but I'll keep you updated on my progress as best as I can. Baraka (Blessings)

So Long America

Well time has absolutely flown by and I am just amazed at how God has provided for me. When I told Stephen Rigby, general manager of the Nairobi City Stars, that I would take on this two year internship I had no idea what God had in store for me. It was the biggest leap of faith that I had ever taken because I had to raise my own support and do in a very short amount time. I asked Stephen when he would like me to be in Africa and he said as soon as possible. So through faith, we made January our goal. This all transpired mid July. Since that time, God has provided well over the financial support that I need for the next two years, as well as provide the other things that could have had glitches and set backs, such as my insurance, visa, and selling my car, but He provided.

Heading into this last week in the States is very bitter sweet because of two reasons. First, its super sweet because this whole adventure is my passion and never would I have guessed that I would ever be coaching internationally, let alone assisting a professional and semi-professional football (soccer) team. SHOOT! It's bitter because of all the things that I will be missing while I'm away. Two of my best friends are getting married, my sister's college graduation, Olivia's (my girlfriend) brother's wedding, my brother's high school graduation, just to name a few. Along with these things, I will be some 4,900 miles away from the one person that I want to share life with. I know the truths that God has me and Olivia in His hands, but putting these things that my heart desires on hold is definitely not an easy thing to do.

I am super excited about what the Lord has in store for me in Africa, for my personal/spiritual growth, and for my relationship with Olivia. Please keep me in your prayers as I adjust to a new culture, new routine, new everything. And thank you so much for the support, encouragement, and love that you have shown me through this transition. I honestly do not know where I would be without my friends and family in my life. Here's to an adventure and many stories, tall tales, and just plain awesomeness that will be coming your way over the next two years. Until next time, which I will be in Nairobi, stay classy.