2010

We write on the last day of this adventurous year of 2009 and ponder on the journey waiting for us in 2010.  This is the moment in the year where everyone focuses on their good intentions of making themselves their ‘best’ self and reorganizing their lives to fit within the change of a new year.  Sitting here, separated from the distractions of the American dream, we are at a different place of contemplation for any resolutions to come within the new year.

Galatians 1: 22-24,

“I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report. The man who formally persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. And they praised God because of me.”

This passage depicts a man who pondered upon the new year resolution within each passing day- making his life choices and his decisions anew because of Christ’s power at work within him. Paul’s testament of faith teaches us that God will use us when we are weak, when we feel incompetent, when we are inexperienced, when we feel uncomfortable, and that God will use us outside of our abilities and our character, all to bring glory to Him. God used Paul, a murderer and a persecutor of Christians, to show how a life can be changed. In this circumstance, people recognized that Paul would not be able to change his murderous ways by himself- They PRAISED God because of his transformation. God is the only ONE who can change a life in such a dramatic way; therefore, he is the only one who we can give the credit to. The American temptress lure attempts to make us believe in our own merits, in our own ability to succeed, in our own strength, and in our own fame. God teaches us that He can change anyone, full transformation and freedom in Christ, no matter what former years have possessed- a dramatic life change gives the glory only to God- God extends His mercy and His grace upon an oppressed individual- others recognize life change which points them to God- the changed person can bear witness to God’s power and personally testify to living with and without faith-

We, as believers, need to recognize when God is putting us in a position outside of our comforts in order to grow us and to make us dependent on him; therefore, our ultimate success is ONLY because of Him. The truth is that it does not matter how we succeed in this world or what our new year’s resolution may be if God is not the heartbeat behind its change.

Paul continues to say, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10.

Our challenge for ourselves, as well as for you, for this new year of 2010 is the truth found in Gal. 1:10. Am I seeking the approval of man or of God? The rest of the resolutions are like passing shadows if we can not answer the focus of our intents.

May this new year bring us the embrace of a life devoted to Christ and as Paul was used as a testament of God’s power, may our lives demonstrate God’s hand at work. As 2011 rolls around, may we be able to reflect upon the journey of ’10 and say, “And they PRAISED God because of me.” May our lives depict God’s grace, His mercy, and His humility. May ’10 and the resolutions that come with it, not be based off of our own merits and our own desires, but entirely off of God’s purpose and plan to use us for His glory. 

Martin.

James 4: 14   Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

We are reminded of this powerful truth with every step among the slums and within every moment of investment with the people. There is no denying that life truly is a vapor- Who knows what tomorrow brings. Being within this context keeps us in a contemplative, observant manner- constantly comparing life to the States and life to the slums. It is true that life here is hard- its filled with much heartache and with much pain- just as we become sensitized to seeing ‘crime scenes, murder, theft, poverty’ as its played repeatedly on CNN, the people here also have their ‘normalcy’- rummaging thru trash to secure enough food for the day, walking by dead bodies like its just part of the scenery, and a child’s backyard/playground isn’t a swing set and slide, it’s a trash heap…

As we were walking within the hardest slum in Ngong this week, we encountered a child that has not left our minds and our hearts for months. Martin, a boy attacked fiercely by a mental illness of some kind, limps around the trash heap holding a stick in his drawn up hand, and searching for charcoal in the other. The trash heap is his backyard and his playground is a place that serves as a great burden upon our hearts. In no way can words paint the portrait of a boy who’s life is truly in limbo of living to the next day- but we will attempt to articulate his story. A six-year-old boy who’s friends are a constant drool down his body and ring worm that hasn’t left his face for months- his home nestled within the edge of the trash heap, as his visitors are flies that never leave and a smell that within its horrendous nature is no longer noticed within his own smell. No parents in sight and no one guiding this child who is impacted so deeply by mental illness. When you think of kids his age in the States, you often think of them learning silly songs, playing outside, growing stronger developmentally/physically, and learning the rules of whats right and wrong. This boy and his other companions who live in the trash heap are quite the opposite- their outside time is rummaging thru the trash to find something to eat, learning the rules of right and wrong is being handed a glue bottle (a debilitating drug in the slums) from their big bros and learning to be promiscuous from their big sis in order to survive from day to day. They are not learning silly songs and are not growing stronger developmentally- As they reach out to grab your hand and give you a hug, trash finds it way also onto your embrace and you think once again of James 4:14- Life truly is a Vapor…here and gone in a short while.

  So, when you see this environment and you sit amidst the trash heap as flies attack every part of your body and the smell almost makes you sick its so potent, you begin to think what can I do? How can I take part in changing this ‘playground’ for these kids. We are encouraged by God’s great love demonstrated thru the book of Hosea.  Hosea consistently shows God’s frustration with his creation- there is a constant battle that goes on between good and evil and our perfect Father never gives up on his people. The sins that they committed were horrendous in nature, but we see his graceful, loving character shine through when He says, “I long to redeem them” (7:13). Amidst all the evil, this is the lone phrase in the middle of the chapter that exemplifies God’s grace- We often focus on God’s anger in the scripture, but its these short, but powerful expressions that we should recognize—“I LONG to redeem them.” We are learning that it is ok to hate injustice and sin, but we are not to turn our back on it and run. We are to take the situation to God and allow him to redeem it. Its difficult to grasp the fullness of this grace, but as we sit amidst the trash heap and ‘glue heads’ are encompassing our every move and kids rummage thru trash for ‘nutrition’, this verse screams out.

Why are we here? To feed these kids?- to ‘rescue’ them from harms way?…

We are here to represent and to establish the cause of Vapor Sports Ministry. An outlet to bring redemption upon the people who live within bondage daily. To bring sustainability upon the kids who have never been taught God’s love for them. To train local men and women who can pour their lives into these little ones- being a spiritual mentor for them and encouraging them in the faith. Our prayer is that through Vapor’s presence here in Ngong, that God will be glorified and that people will have a ‘safe place’ to channel their life’s hardships and find restoration thru learning God’s character and His love for them.

For those of you who are already supporting the cause, know that your extension is being used to teach these little ones who’s playground is the trash  heap- songs of God’s love, playground no longer the trash but a soccer field/running track alongside other kids who can understand their lives, learning right and wrong from God’s word, and having an opportunity to grow stronger- physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Isaiah 61: 1-4

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair, they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

If you are interested in supporting this cause, check out the website www.vaporsports.org

No Lampoon.

Yesterday was the first moment that we really thought about Christmas being celebrated quite differently across the globe. Putting up our little artificial Christmas tree while listening to Elf soundtrack, made it 'feel' a bit more like the holiday we have always known in the States. Here in our neck of the woods, you don't see lights up- trees decorated- people running around stressed to find the thousand gifts for everyone- homes lit by a million lights- Christmas music playing everywhere- and egg nog latte's from Starbucks advertised on every corner-

 

Instead...

We witness the same survival of a day- men/women working daily to have enough food to feed their family- children digging thru the trash heaps to find other people's 'junk' to give as gifts- people striving harder so they can travel to be with their family's on the holiday- We can honestly attest that even though our minds crave the traditions that we have always known and loved of the Christmas season, we are humbled to spend our first Christmas away within this environment of community. We believe that all would agree that Christmas time in the States can be STRESSFUL- trying to organize parties, and get-togethers, and gifts, and food, and the list continues...But, here we see that the focus is community, its family having their children home from boarding school and with them- its people recognizing and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

So, even though we believe its the first Christmas without watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Elf, we know that this time here learning from the 'real reason of the season', will forever be etched within our minds and our hearts. 

Merry Christmas to you all!  May you all be strengthened by time with your loved ones! 

We are welcoming our sister, Lindsay and brother Daniel here with us on the 18th- Be praying for their safe travels and their trip here amidst the beautiful people of Ngong. May they be forever strengthened and encouraged by life in a third world. 

Maasaini...

We spent a most memorable day visiting with our Maasai friend, Shadrack, in his village back home (about 2 hours away from Ngong). 

Setting out on the journey, early in the morning, we squeezed 4 people, up front in a small pick up truck. Roads marked only by Africa's form, we saw zebras, gazelles, and open land that stretched for miles. As we reached our destination of Shadrack's village, we pulled up to the preparation of the celebration of circumcision- At the age of 15, the Maasai men are circumcised- the culture has shifted a bit, from the old custom-- the boys had to spend 2 months in the bush, by themselves and prove their manhood by killing a lion with their spear. A big celebration of nyama choma (roasted meat) and chai (Kenyan tea) are prepared for the entire community. Women/men, who are now more westernized, revert back to their roots and dress full out in Maasai beaded gear. 

The culture is still practiced as we witnessed the men and women eating on different sides of the compound and the men eating their nyama choma in the wilderness, apart from the community. I guess, we broke the tradition, when Trishia joined the men for the roasted meat. 

To walk upon the preparation of slaughtering the goat, a man literally squeezing out the poop from the intestines, skin/goat head being hung on trees to save for boiling with the intestines, goat lung being boiled, flies stuck to every piece of the meat--to then sit down and to enjoy in a piece of meat was a little stretching. 

Trishia was given a full Maasai beaded dress and lots of jewelry to add to the Maasai way of dress. One man asked Brett if Trishia was his sister and if so, how old...the men often who are not believers take many wives- they believe it adds to their wealth. Guess some were looking to add to their wealth by having a white Maasai...

It was a day spent riding camels, walking with ostriches, living off the land, and assimilating into the Maasai way of life. In a culture that lives off of a concern of water supply for the livelihood of their livestock, they have experienced a great drought since 2006--this year only a small bit of rain was seen on the land once...Until today, as we are sitting there with the sun shining, eating nyama choma with men we could only communicate with thru smiles, a great rain abruptly, without warning, falls on the community- a rain that most people would take off running for shelter, we look around as the men are enjoying the nyama choma, with the largest smiles looking to the heavens...it was a great blessing to witness rain on a culture that needs it for their survival, but hasn't experienced it in months...A day greatly treasured. 

You can view pics of our special day at this link! 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351700&id=611190289&l=41f3033867

wow, half way mark.

We cannot believe that 6 months has already flown by since our arrival to Kenya- We know that these final 6 mths. will spiral quickly towards our departure as well. Within our processing and assessing of the progress thus far, a roller coaster of emotions bombard us. But, we know that God is able and we entrust that He is cultivating the hands and the feet to continue on with the ministry here in Ngong once we leave. God has most faithfully risen 6 men who meet with Brett every week for discipleship. Trishia will be beginning a women's matriculation study this month for the ladies who have surfaced as potential coaches for the running/soccer league. 

Reading today in Psalms, "For you equipped me with strength for the battle;  you made those who rise against me sink under me." 18:39.  We firmly believe in the anointing of the Spirit over us as we have dealt with the hardships and the joys. Keep us in your prayers as we push thru the final stretch of our time here. That we can be efficient in our days- that God would grant us favor and expand our territory within our relationships established- that God would bring sustainability and knowledge upon the hearts of our Vapor leaders- for the break off studies for the potential coaches, both men and women. 

As a reminder, especially during this holiday season, we would LOVE To hear your voices- because of our location skype is a bit difficult for us these days with the voice chat. BUT, we have certain people who have been calling us on the calling cards they purchased for a cheap rate thru www.callingcards.com  ---the location is Kenya and you can get a cheap rate to call us here. 

Brett's cell #- 011 254 710 108 777

Trishia's cell # 011 254 710 108 703  

Would love to hear from you:)! 

For our Alabama crew, we are 9 hours ahead of you.

For our Cinci crew- we are 8 hours ahead...

the Rescuer.

“Jesus was not simply a “missionary” to the poor. He WAS poor. In Jesus, we see God entering this world as a baby refugee in the middle of a genocide, wandering the streets with “no place to lay his head” and dying next to two bandits on the imperial cross.”  Heurtz

Anyone upon the gaze of the family of 12 children would say that they are the poorest of the poor.  A 10 x 20 tin shanty houses 12 children, plus the parents- When one looks into their home, what is seen leaves its visions to surface repeatedly in one’s mind- visions of a cold floor with 12 kids sleeping shoulder to shoulder, visions  of not enough food to provide nutrition for their bodies, visions of abuse that could occur within that environment, visions of the most simplistic lifestyle imaginable…one’s heart immediately begins to want to be the rescuer- planning begins as one thinks how can I save these kids from hardship, from the plight of poverty’s hand?

On one particular day, I look up from among the Vapor fields and witness little George (about 3-4 years old) shaking uncontrollably as he is staring endlessly upon the fields.  “George, George…unahisi njaa (are you hungry?)..” Without words, his eyes answer the repeated question towards him. This child has not eaten substantially in quite some time.  His body almost too weak to mutter any words, the story manages to surface that because he is one of the youngest of the 12 that he is fed the lesser portions.  It is suffice to say that all of us who witnessed this child’s need for food felt a need for rescue.  Why would someone have 12 children and not be able to take care of them? Why would someone not allow others to feed their children? Why do these kids’ life, ambition center around fetching water as others are attending school, climbing an educational ladder of success? Injustice stirred within and we were left with an imprint of anger, passion for this great fight for justice.

To watch George quickly take down three pieces of bread and 3 bananas as if someone would grab them from his hands was a humbling moment indeed.  Nestled within my lap, this little one laid his head upon my shoulder for literally 3 hours. When asked if he wanted down, his head just nodded slowly back and forth no, and he remained tightly gripped to my shoulders. “Jesus was not simply a “missionary” to the poor. He WAS poor.”  If anything we have learned from our 6 month journey thus far is that we are NOT the rescuers. Our human empathy and passion fuels us to think so, but as we witnessed George the frailest that we have seen him we were reminded that we cannot alleviate his plight. There are moments for us to lean on the Spirit’s prompting and respond out of His leading, but God is the only one to sustain- the only one to rescue.  In the beautiful book of Hosea, God voices His gracious love for all of us, even amidst our continuous ploy to chase after other gods…He says, “…My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused, I will not carry out my fierce anger…For I am God and not man- the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.”  George, shaking from life’s hand, is in the Lord’s hands. We are not his rescuer, but we do know a powerful God who is more than able to rescue this child and the other 12 and the other children within this unjust world who suffer the like. 

To reiterate a beautiful depiction of God’s heart for the poor and our calling to participate and to fully engage in other’s plights, Claiborne stated, “May we become familiar with the suffering of the poor outside our gates, know their names and taste the salt in their tears. Then when the ‘the ones God has rescued, “ the Lazuruses of our world- the baby refugees, the mentally ill wanderers, and the homeless outcasts- are seated next to God, we can say, ‘we’re with them.’

May we always be ever present within the suffering of others- recognizing, acknowledging, and believing in the only One who can truly rescue, the only One who can give hope, the only One who can restore the joy amidst grave pain.  We know that God is able and our prayer remains that God will keep our hearts ever vigilant towards the ways in which He desires to use us within the suffering of others.