This week has been an up and down roller coaster for me. I have seen the Lord meet so many needs here in the greater area of Nairobi, as well as remain completely in control of things back home that haven't turned out as any of us would have liked them to. Let me start with my good friend's, the Nickell family.
Cole has been a very close friend to me since my senior year in high school. He actually played an integral role in me going to Covenant. Well this year his wife had a son who was born with several issues. I do not know the exact details, but from the beginning of her pregnancy the doctors had told them that this would be difficult. Well a little over a month ago, Cole Matthew Nickell Jr., was born and since birth never made it out of the hospital. Well yesterday, before I left the house I checked facebook and I saw that Matthew wasn't doing so well. I began to just start praying, but the feeling I had inside was something that I hadn't experienced in a very long time, and a feeling I hope I never have to have again. When I got home I got a text from Olivia telling me that Matthew had passed away. I know that he is in a much better place where he can breathe on his own, run around, and do all those things he should have been able to do on earth, but my heart just breaks for Cole, Julia, and the rest of the family. It is so hard being here at times when I just want to get on a plane to go see my brother and give him a huge hug and be there for him. I can't imagine the pain and loss that Cole is feeling and would just beg you to keep them in your prayers.
So a midst having that feeling of wanting to be to back home, I have also had the feeling and experienced God moving in me and directing me here in Kenya. This week we had two mission teams from the States come and work with our partner church, ICC. One team went around and did school visits presenting the Gospel, while the other group had a four day, free medical clinic for the local area. I worked primarily with the medical team by assisting them wherever they needed help.
The first day, we took several groups of four Americans into Mukuru slum and handed out fliers for the medical camp. The next day we did the same, but also threw in some evangelism. Between those two days, I spent a total of seven and a half hours walking around in that slum talking with people. I think those two days were preparing me for the third day, because everything that I had experienced, witnessing, meeting new faces, and actually trying to organize things came at me faster than I was ready for.
When I walked onto the campus there were at least one hundred and fifty people queuing (waiting in line) for the clinic. We had to drastically change our waiting room that had previously been a small tent into moving people where there was shade and some order. After that I was running errands here and there and then next thing I know, the pastors were calling me over and told me to go preach to the 60+ people in line. I had two minutes to prepare myself and it was literally by the hand of God that I was able to connect and speak to those people. And as I was speaking, I realized that I was no different from them. I needed healing just as much as they needed to be seen by the doctor and get medicine. I was right there with them. By the Lord's grace, 15 people came to know the Lord and by the end of the clinic 1,663 people received medical help and 297 were saved!
Like I said, it's been a roller coaster and something that words will never be able to describe. Feeling the excitement and pure joy for those receiving new life and then hearing about life being taken away, it's a lot to process. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. I will never forget those words and I pray that I will never forget my daily need for Jesus and spiritual healing.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Today = A Big Day
No, nothing big happened in my life today. Well Nairobi City Stars did win their third game of the season. But seriously, the big things happened to those who are close around me. My little brother just started his summer job at Ligonier Camp. Which I actually did when I was his age. Man, how that was such a life changing experience. And then, my best friend Chris Stern married Jordan Agate! Freakin' A! So crazy. I'm so happy that they are finally together. As I'm writing this, they should be getting their groove on at the reception.
So that's what has been happening around me. Everything here is still crazy and this week is going to be an even crazier week. We have not one, but two mission teams coming in from the states. They'll be interacting with the Petra Academy team and getting to see where a few of the players live.
And then this week, I'm starting to change focus. Lately I have been focusing on the U19 team and how I can measure their development, well know its time to focus on the younger kids and their needs. I think the starting point for them though is not the player, but the coaches. Empowering them so they can feel qualified and respected is something that I hope we can achieve by giving the coaching courses in the next month or two as well as giving them coaching uniforms so they can feel unified. It's small things, but honestly, the grassroots is where everything begins.
So I'm excited for what's ahead. Olivia comes in 19 days! Life is good.
So that's what has been happening around me. Everything here is still crazy and this week is going to be an even crazier week. We have not one, but two mission teams coming in from the states. They'll be interacting with the Petra Academy team and getting to see where a few of the players live.
And then this week, I'm starting to change focus. Lately I have been focusing on the U19 team and how I can measure their development, well know its time to focus on the younger kids and their needs. I think the starting point for them though is not the player, but the coaches. Empowering them so they can feel qualified and respected is something that I hope we can achieve by giving the coaching courses in the next month or two as well as giving them coaching uniforms so they can feel unified. It's small things, but honestly, the grassroots is where everything begins.
So I'm excited for what's ahead. Olivia comes in 19 days! Life is good.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Habari Jako!
I know that it has been a while since I last posted something about what I am experiencing here, but before I do that, I would like to thank those of you who have contacted me about supporting Emily and her schooling. So far we have raised enough money to get her through one term and half of another. If you are interested in sponsoring any other term or have a question, you can email me at jpelts@gmail.com.
Ok, now to the stories. Well a lot has happened over the last two/three weeks. The big event was my Kenyan sister's high school graduation from Rosslyn Academy. She has yet to decide where she is going to continue her education, either at Wake Forest or a school in Canada. Because her school is run just like an American school, they played the popular pomp and circumstance, had the valedictorian address, and Sonia was the class speaker, which she did an absolutely fantastic job. The celebration was spread across both sides of the family and even continued late into the night. After the ceremony, we went back to her family's house where we consumed the most amount of meat that I have had since being here, as well as share with Sonia advice and well wishes. I was in no way planning on having to make a speech, but at the very end Mr. Kuguru had me and one of Sonia's cousins speak on behalf of the youths.
The whole night was a blast as I was included in all the family discussions (even had my own interpreter) and just felt like I was part of the family. I think that I keep saying this, but I'll continue to say it that I am so thankful for the Kuguru family and their taking me under their wing.
Mr. and Mrs. Kuguru got back from the states two days before Sonia's graduation and while they were there my family and Olivia were able to send me some clothes as well as a new iPod and iPhone. I finally figured out how to jailbreak the iPhone last night and it is so nice to have.
The other crazy news is over the last two weeks, our organization AIS, has been swamped. We tried to sell the professional team because it was becoming a burden on our ministry and requiring too much of our resources. Quite frankly it was becoming what we call in a marketing with Dr. Quatro, a dog and it needed to be shot. Unfortunately, the legal documents have prevented us from selling and relinquishing all of our debts and actually getting some money out of the deal. Our national director is actually flying in tomorrow morning to help sort things out.
You can be praying that we are able to sort out this situation and that in the process we would continually strive to make decisions in the best interest of the ministry.
I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to write something, but now you've got an idea what all has been happening here. Oh and the countdown for when Olivia gets here is down to 29 days! Wow has time flown since I got here. Looking forward to sending you more stories and hope everyone is well. Baraka (blessings).
Ok, now to the stories. Well a lot has happened over the last two/three weeks. The big event was my Kenyan sister's high school graduation from Rosslyn Academy. She has yet to decide where she is going to continue her education, either at Wake Forest or a school in Canada. Because her school is run just like an American school, they played the popular pomp and circumstance, had the valedictorian address, and Sonia was the class speaker, which she did an absolutely fantastic job. The celebration was spread across both sides of the family and even continued late into the night. After the ceremony, we went back to her family's house where we consumed the most amount of meat that I have had since being here, as well as share with Sonia advice and well wishes. I was in no way planning on having to make a speech, but at the very end Mr. Kuguru had me and one of Sonia's cousins speak on behalf of the youths.
The whole night was a blast as I was included in all the family discussions (even had my own interpreter) and just felt like I was part of the family. I think that I keep saying this, but I'll continue to say it that I am so thankful for the Kuguru family and their taking me under their wing.
Mr. and Mrs. Kuguru got back from the states two days before Sonia's graduation and while they were there my family and Olivia were able to send me some clothes as well as a new iPod and iPhone. I finally figured out how to jailbreak the iPhone last night and it is so nice to have.
The other crazy news is over the last two weeks, our organization AIS, has been swamped. We tried to sell the professional team because it was becoming a burden on our ministry and requiring too much of our resources. Quite frankly it was becoming what we call in a marketing with Dr. Quatro, a dog and it needed to be shot. Unfortunately, the legal documents have prevented us from selling and relinquishing all of our debts and actually getting some money out of the deal. Our national director is actually flying in tomorrow morning to help sort things out.
You can be praying that we are able to sort out this situation and that in the process we would continually strive to make decisions in the best interest of the ministry.
I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to write something, but now you've got an idea what all has been happening here. Oh and the countdown for when Olivia gets here is down to 29 days! Wow has time flown since I got here. Looking forward to sending you more stories and hope everyone is well. Baraka (blessings).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)