All in God's Hands

Our days here are uncertain and the emotions expressed are extremely wavering with each new day. Yet, the ONE portion of our day that remains constant is the strength that sustains us from our time with the Lord.  There are days where we feel overwhelmed by poverty’s extended hand. Women are constantly opening their hand bags for us to purchase souvenirs, runners seeking sponsorships to the States, children taught to beg asking for money. Men/women seeking jobs—all seeing us “mzungus” (white man) as their opportunity to be relieved from poverty. It has been a daily battle to grasp the vast poverty that encompasses our every step. We have attained much strength from Scripture, as we come to the Lord in discernment as many have requests before us.

            -God is Father to the Fatherless and Protector of widows (Ps.68:5)

            -He is a stronghold for the oppressed (Ps. 9:9)

            -Positions the poor in safety (Ps. 12:5)

            - Gives food to the hungry (Ps.146)

            -Sustainer of those who give to the poor (Ps.41:1-3) 

“For when we are most despairing of our own inability to be generous, compassionate servants, we will be precisely in the place where Christ can do His best work in us and through us.” Sherman

We have been spending time at our church partnership, African Inland Church, Ngong Hills (AIC) 

Pastor Kimani & his wife, Anne, have been a great resource and help to us as we have transitioned to Ngong. The area is absolutely beautiful and after doing a land survey of the property, we are eager to begin the building process of the fields. We anticipate that many kids from the surrounding Ngong slums will participate in the Sports League. 

Many leaders have surfaced from different running groups, members of the AIC, and the community. We are expected to have our first leadership meeting next week where as of today we have  10 men who will be invited to the vision casting meeting and 11 women who Trishia will attempt to meet with weekly for a bible study. Several possibilities for coaches and volunteers once the league launches have surfaced and we are excited to also be meeting with them for vision casting of Vapor’s role in the community.

Prayer requests:
-       Boldness as we transition into this oppressed area of Ngong.
-       Our core leaders. We have met some solid guys that we will be inviting to the 12 leaders meeting. Pray for our discernment as we assess any character flaws and identify the full 12.
-       Wisdom in the secret heart as we discern aiding the requests around  us. That God may show us how to truly help those around us and not cripple them further.
-       For God to grant us favor within the community as we continue to seek relationships.
-       Fluency in Swahili: we are getting better with every day, but many here (bc of the rural area) are not as fluent in English. The more that we know, the closer we connect with the people.
-       We are beginning to canvas within the Ngong Slums and Gichagi (slum by AIC). Pray for God to lead us in His purpose as we invest in the lives of these areas.
-       Connections with the runners- we have been invited to several homes and are in the process of setting up visits with these influential athletes.
o   Tegla Loroupe: One of the world’s best female Kenyan athletes
o   Paul Tergat: Kenyan World Record Holder; Has his own running group
o   Robert Cheriyiot: Will be overseas for 3 wks; mtg him in home end of July.
o   Irene Limika: Female runner; running the World Championship in August; Forming a relationship with her husband now as she is away. Met her before she left to train in the States

God's Love is Strong.

It is impossible to fully articulate all that has happened in our days, in our spirit, and in our hearts since the last moment we updated. The time spent with the Launch '09 group filled us with much strength and constant encouragement. Their presence in Ngong expanded our territory and allowed us to begin some relationships that we will cultivate while we are here. 

Gary Durbin, a worship pastor here on the trip, sang a song that truly summates the facets of our days. Here are a few lines from the song. "What have I to offer You when You are everything...All that I can do is love the ones You've put in front of me...When all is said and done, there is only You."  

 The poverty that encompasses our steps is an impossible peace to attain. Yet in God's love, we know that He looks past agendas, past wrongdoings, and in His judgment seat He extends unfailing grace & abundant mercy- new mercies with each passing day. 

One day this week we saw God's provision in the calloused hearts of Kawangware. Witnessed a dead man, with a half-eaten face, floating in the water in the slums. Women with rain boots wading thru the infected waters to rescue the weary body. No tears around even though we expected them. No shocked presence to find. It was normalcy. It was their culture's hand that continues to be dealt to their daily regimens. Their hearts are calloused to withstand the pains, the sufferings, the hardships that enter their doors. It was a moment to thank God in His provision for guiding them in survival to continue on amidst their impoverished environment. We pray that in moments when they need to experience pain, for God's mending, that He may break their hearts and pull them into His Presence, crying out for the fullness of God. 

                  God's Love is Strong...

Moments of Praise: 

- The group conducted dental care on the Ngong School on the property of AIC. Had the humbling opportunity to know 380 children's faces and to learn of some of their stories. 

- Had a large event at AIC- dental care, music, gospel shared, soccer clinics. Allowed us to meet many runners and many people in the community (potential leaders of the Ngong Running Center). It was encouraging to see so many kids surface & to spend time getting to know them. 

- Canvased in the Ngong Slum and in Gichagi (a village near AIC). Able to meet people within these areas who are excited about Vapor being in their community. 

- Brett preached at AIC this past Sunday and we were able to know more of the people within the church. Its encouraging to know more of the community and to witness their eagerness to participate in the ministry. 

Continue to pray:

- for the leaders that will surface for us to equip and to disciple. 

-For the community and God's favor in trusting, genuine relationships. 

-In the areas that God can use the areas of our giftedness in the community. 

the nomadic life...

We do not have long but wanted to send you an update of praise. But, we have signed the lease agreement at the compound and will be moving in there July 1st. We are moving today into another guest house until the compound is ready, located in EmBulBul, right outside of Ngong. It is a perfect place for what we are needing, managed by a Christian man who has been connected with Vapor for a few years. A group is coming from the States today so we will be spending this week with them. We have to get off, but a praise we have a place to live!! Update more later:) 

Arrived in Kenya.

Jambo!

We have arrived in Kenya and needless to say it has been quite some transition. We have been welcomed by very hospitable and generous hearts, but the AFrican way is a slower way to say the least. We are in the process now of finalizing the negotiations with the compound (that we thought were already finalized). The lady is now seeking more money & we are having to stay in our original negotiation with her. WE have been staying there for the past 2 days & its been a safe haven definitely as we have rested and enjoyed Kenyan's finest foods- the compound also includes the African way, with no running water, outhouse toilets, food takes hours to prepare on a little charcoil burner outside, clothes strung on the line daily, and water pick up only 2 days a week at 2:00am (this is used for cooking, bathing (in a basin), cleaning). NO worries (MOMS) we have been taken care of very well as we transition to the exact place God has for us to live. We have moved now with Audrey (Micah's wife) at a guest house in Karen until we can figure out definite plans. We have meetings set up for tomorrow (friday) to hopefully finalize everything. A very generous Kenyan is allowing us to send this only 1 email without having to pay:) Truly a blessing.
So, be praying for God's hand to continue to guide us, either back to the compound at the end of the week or to another place that is centered in His perfection. We trust in His faithfulness and have already been embraced by his constant provision. there are definitely many more adventurous stories to share of our journey thus far, but because I only have a short time on the internet we just wanted to let you know that we have arrived safely and are pushing thru by God's direction.

If you wanted to call us, its free for us. You can purchase a calling card with cheap rates on www.callingcards.com You have to put where you are calling from and to would be Kenyan cellular. This will give you a very cheap rate to call. Our Kenyan cell numbers are below. We can also receive texts free of charge if any of you have txt. messaging. If we do not text back, then we are prob. low on minutes--cost us to text alot--but its amazing seeing your number on our Kenyan phone:)

011 254 710108777 Brett
011 254 710108703 Trishia

We miss you greatly & are very eager for the day that we are settled into a more permanent home & can get Skype up and rolling to see all of your faces. Pray that its soon & very soon!!

Brett & Trishia

Kenya Bound..

It is crazy, but such an abundant blessing, that our time to embark to Kenya has arrived. We thought we should go ahead and update this while we had internet service at our fingertips:)

We are leaving this Sunday, the 7th, at 9am for Africa--Flying from Bham, AL to Chicago, IL to Frankfurt, Germany (for 12 hours) to Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya- Arriving on Wed. the 9th- We will be 8 hours ahead. We ask that you please pray for our steps to come- that in wisdom and in discernment we will be able to continue in this work set out for us. For some of you who may not fully understand the focus of our time in Ngong the 2 main things that we will be doing is:
1) Building a sports center on the property of African Inland Church (including soccer fields, running track, East AFrican headquarters office building, a water well, storage units)
2) Finding 8-12 National leaders who Brett will be discipling and equipping in how to run the sports ministry.
We will be doing humanitarian aid and investing life-on-life within the slums, but the primary focus of our days will be spent investing in the leaders and facilitating the building of the sports center. A great task indeed, but one that has been seasoned with great prayer and preparation.
Thank you for all of you who have continued to pour over us great love, prayers, and encouragement. We are strengthened that we know you will be walking to Kenya alongside us. Stay connected with us and let us know what is going on with you. Our greatest love to you all!

Trishia: trishiaralston@hotmail.com
Brett: brett@vaporsports.org

Vapor's Website: www.vaporsports.org

A Humble People

Praise the Lord- We have a home awaiting us in Kenya!! So, come on & a home for you will be awaiting your visit:)

As we embark on this near transition to Kenya, rampid thoughts seep into our being...mainly the vast poverty awaiting our arrival and the grueling reality that we cannot solve the humanitarian crisis that continues to run within the slums. Thoughts of a child dying of starvation...poverty never ceasing...slumdog's plights going unnoticed..In observation of our culture, we often see televised portraits of famine, of death, of hardships, and of war- without a lingering thought, we have been trained by society to continue on with our lives focused on our temporal 'difficulties.' These 'difficulties' often referring to a busy day (that we planned), frustrations with relationships (that we choose to not confront and resolve), dissatisfactions with jobs (that we choose to remain in) and the like. Murray states that "where God is all, self is nothing." Jesus proclaims that "For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

As we look over the blessing of this home, we pray that it can be a safe haven to those who are so oppressed within the slums--that our door will swing open & our hearts ready to receive the needs that await our extension. We are encouraged that we will be immersed amidst such a thankful people. A people who continue to praise God when their situations are not being lifted- One who are uncertain of their next food supply and continue to have faith- One who have witnessed heinous genocides-injustice to the core and continue to proclaim God's faithfulness- One who lives in tin shanties-immersed in sewage and enclosed space and continue to praise God, in their content, for providing a home. We have much to learn from their continuous example of faith, of humility, and of perseverance.

Murray articulates that "It is easy to think that we humble ourselves before God, but our humility toward others is the only sufficient proof that our humility before God is real." We show ourselves faithful to God by the ways we extend to the least and to all of His people. We pray that we can daily seek to be observant. Thankful. Gracious. Humble.

May we stand with Murray as he articulates humility and welcome its variable of change within our spirits- "Accept with gratitude everything that God allows from within or without, from friend or enemy, in nature or in grace, to remind you of your need for humbling and to help you in it."

Strength before our departure.

Murray states "Ask not for exaltation. That is God's work. See that you humble yourselves, and take no place before God or man but that of a servant. That is your work; let that be your one purpose and prayer." 

We experienced a strengthening & humbling time with the Lord, as we were commissioned by our local Church, Brookhills, & our small group. A time immersed in prayer and in acknowledgement in God's going before us to prepare the work in Ngong. That in His infinite wisdom, He is orchestrating our path- Moments of true acknowledgement that yes we are inadequate for this great task ahead of us, but that God will use us as His vessels to show His great sufficiency for others. Must say that God chooses some very humorous moments to remind of us of that absolute Truth. During our first commissioning service at church, Trishia (in a very Trishia moment), graced the congregation with a grand entrance as she tripped down the stairs to her knees. But was saved from an even more embarrassing fall by precious Brett, who pulled her up quickly. It was a classic moment indeed, but what a great depiction of how great the Lord is to use those of us who are weak in so many ways to bring forth such strength into a fallen world.