KPL Starts with a BANG!

Well the Kenyan Premier League kicked off this weekend and man has it been a show! The first game that started was Gor Mia verse Posta Rangers. Gor finished third last season in the KPL and has one of if not the biggest fan base in the league. At least 8,000 are usually in attendance. Well this weekend they played against their cross town rivals and were taking a beating. Around the 72nd minute, the fans suddenly became angry and hostile and apparently decided that they wanted to literally tell their coach how mad they were. I don't know if they charged the field or what, but it got so bad that the refs called the game and it went down in the books as a Rangers win 3 nil.

While that has taken the headlines, the Nairobi City Stars squared away against Karuturi Sport. The game was two hours away and unfortunately, I missed the whole first half due to Nairobi traffic. Sometimes, it's not easy leaving in a big city. Anyways, I have been given an all access pass by the KPL. Which means that I can be in the press box, on the field, and have free tickets to any KPL and national games! BOO YA! So, I'm kind of a big deal. Not really, but I definitely took advantage of my pass and went on the field to take a few pictures with my small Cannon. I seriously need to consider getting a better camera if I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity and give our website some more free marketing.

Anyways, things this week have been good. The Petra Boys had a scrimmage against a 2nd division team, we're first division amateur, so they were supposed to be the better team by far. Notice the word supposed to be. Yup. We went down 1 nil pretty early in the first half and then came back and won the game 2 - 1! So proud of those boys.

This week I've had a new room mate, Dave Waters, who is from Cape Town, stay at our apartment. He works with an elite youth academy in South Africa and came up to see our program. It's been fun hanging out with him and talking football 24/7. We literally talk about it all day.

If you wouldn't mind, please be praying for him and for my mission organization AIS. Yesterday, one of Dave's friend's and AIS coach unexpectedly passed away. He was in his early thirties and it has just really come as a shock to the organization. This is Dave's first friend who has passed away so he's still learning how to process and cope with the recent events.

Thanks so much for keeping up with me. It has been a joy and a privilege to work over here and see all the work that God is doing. Love you guys.

A New Man

Before I start this post, I want to thank a ladies group in Texas that regularly follows my blog and prays for me. I heard this week from Olivia what you all have been doing for me and for Olivia and I just want you to know how thankful and appreciative I am for you. And that thanks just doesn't go to those ladies, but to all of you who read this and follow me. Those prayers have definitely gotten me through this far and will continue to carry me through this journey.

So the title of this blog is a "A New Man" and if you saw me Friday night and then saw me right now you would understand why. Yesterday I was running a little late for Kicker's Clinic and completely forgot to take my sunscreen with me. Normally if I forget on Saturday to take my cream, I'll get a little red. But yesterday, I was in the sun from 8am to 8pm and did I learn my lesson. I am bronze as anything and have a very nice v-neck tan line. Apart from the burns, yesterday was a very encouraging day. Kicker's had some really amazing displays of brilliance as two eleven year olds left me stunned as they completely took over a scrimmage and played like a professional. I've never seen a player at such a young age that even compares to their ability. I then went from Kicker's to playing in my first semi professional football game. It was fun to get back in a uniform and just play the game I love. I did get a yellow card for apparently making three hard tackles, but it was interesting to experience Kenyan refereeing first hand and how they want to be part of them game, which is every player and coaches nightmare.

This week for Petra, we had two more players come to know Christ and I'm pretty sure that one more is on the verge. It has just been amazing and a privilege to see what God is doing in those boys.

I also had a meeting with the president of Nairobi City Stars and he and I have been and will continue to pray about the length of my commitment to the organization. There are several projects that the organization is working on and they would like more people with the same passion and dream to jump on board and help them with these goals.

So that is what has happened this week. Things are getting easier as far as my routine and schedule go. But please keep me in your prayers that God would continue to give me the strength that I need for each day. Have a great Sabbath and until next time, badi.

"It's a game that can't be won, only played."

Well this week has been a humbling and amazing week for me. It's been tough emotionally, spiritually, and physically with work, Olivia, and just being me. But the one thing that remains the same, He is faithful in every detail. No matter how small or big, His goodness is unmeasurable. This week at Petra Boys, we started a one week series on Salvation and on the first day three players accepted Christ! It was so awesome to see their joy and happiness. I have been given an amazing opportunity to follow up with these guys, learn about their families, and their background. It really is amazing how God can use us as His vessels even in the midst of all our problems and issues. He still uses us for His glory.

The other area where I have seen God, is just in my every day need for strength. Olivia asked me the other day what my wake up routine is and honestly, it's an internal battle. I wake up and attempt to figure out what I need. If it's more rest, if my body is just gross from practice the day before and I didn't get the chance to shower before bed, or if I smell the sweet fragrance of Nairobi's finest coffee, Java, that's brewing and ready for me to consume. I don't talk to myself, I just see what I need in that moment and in that moment, that's when I realize just how much I NEED God if I'm going to get through the day.

The final area will probably come to you as a surprise, but it's how much I need God in my relationship with Olivia. The honeymoon stage is over in regards to me being in Kenya and both of us are getting into our routines, and it's hard to just "be" when your 4,500 miles away from the other person. Olivia is no longer going hiking in the Grand Canyon for Spring Break and there's so much of me that just wants to go and be with her. But sadly, that's not what can happen. What will happen is in 167 days, she will be arriving at the Nairobi Airport and I will be there to pick her up.

God is good, all the time. No matter the circumstances, no matter the outlook, He is constantly aware of what is happening around you and me. And the crazy thing is that He hears us. So whether I'm just missing Livs like a hippo needs water, or I'm just exhausted from the 14 hour work day that I just went through. All of it was because He planned it. It wasn't easy, but looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way.

The "Honeymoon" is Over

Well this week was more of a routine week than the last three and man was it a tough one. Stephen and I started working out five days a week, I have been going to work on my own, and I'm cooking almost every other day. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I think I started to get ahead of myself because I was just exhausted and started fighting what I thought was a cold. I believe and the rest of Kenya agrees with me that it was just plain fatigue. Whether I chose to acknowledge it or not, I am under a ton of stress. I am in a completely new area, getting used to a new transportation system, new eating habits, new working habits, long days from 8 to 8, my body just isn't there yet as much as I want it to be. And don't even get me started on those matutu rides home. Those in themselves are just another form of stress. Well, I apologize to my loyal readers that today's post is so short, but I am exhausted and am almost finished with my pineapple/passion fruit drink. So now would be a great stopping point. I miss all of you and Long Live Chelsea FC!