Technology is amazing.

It amazes us how technology can connect us across all distance. Because of Dan and Scott's persistent work, we had the distinct privilege of being present for Sa and Travis' special wedding day. Being able to 'visit' with such close friends and family bridged the gap we had originally anticipated from missing their day. It placed great encouragement within us to witness all parts of the ceremony and the reception. Another blessing was that thru a phone call, we were able to share words of encouragement and a prayer of blessing over them during the ceremony. An abundant blessing for sure!! 

Connect our hearts, Oh Lord...

Its difficult for our hearts this week as family are coming in for Sarah and Travis' wedding: Brett's grandparents and other immediate family in Colorado are flying in for 2 weeks and we would treasure the opportunity to spend quality time with them. Lindsay, Brett's other sister, just got home from FL and we know the many moments with loved ones that we are missing, as extended/immediate, close friends will all be gathered for the day. WE are trying not to get our hopes up but desperately wanting to be able to connect and to witness the day, via Skype. Its hard not being there to participate in it all and in moments like these, Africa feels so very far away. But, we pray for the peace and the acceptance that we need as we are separated during this special time. SA, Trav, family, and friends: know that if at all possible we would have been there with you all. Take lots of pictures for us--maybe some where you can insert us in the middle so we can 'pretend' like we were there:). 

An Upward Call...

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:3

The Kiserian race was a day that fueled us with much joy and great strength as we were encompassed by hundreds of elite trained athletes who all pressed on toward the same goal ahead- a diligence that was demonstrated thru each athlete's stride.  From the initial view of the race course, the roads were paved with consistent difficulties as upward hills would fuel the runner's pace. Japheth, one of our guys on our discipleship team,  beautifully stated prior to the race, "We are all here, equal, and its up to each of us if we run this race, for the goal set ahead." His words spoke loudly as we envisioned the choices we each make to press on toward our upward call in Christ. With this in mind, the race took on a new meaning in our view. 

We were blessed to have a view, front and center, as we participated in riding in the lead car. Thus, allowing us to witness the strides, the diligence, the perseverance of the race's constant journey. Differing levels of athletes chose to embrace the upward rigors of the race. Riding in front of the runners, we witnessed the crowd participation cheering all athletes across the finish line- all ages {young children all the way to the older men/women}, all trained { those heavier proportioned, thinner framed, stronger built}, all dressed {bare foot, in dresses, in best gear}. Yet all equal...All showed up and finished the race that was set out before them. 

Running is such a spiritually impacting sport as one gains a full portrait of a journey lived in the utmost of diligence and of strength. One can see the push needed within different parts of the course and the crowd that fuels their strides. In this course called life, we individually (all equal) choose to press on toward the goal. Yet, we have our brothers/sisters (the crowd) that is ever supporting us to finish out each part in great strength. Japheth came running around the corner with such a determined stance and after he finished strongly, he proudly stated, "I accomplished my goal." 

Although Kimosop did not take 1st position, in a forceful sprint to the finish, the crowd powerfully cheered him to the finish line. He ran a very well race and afterwards, his body felt stronger than ever.  In a spiritual sense, a beautiful depiction of our upward call to Christ as we persevere to the prize set before us. 

Update: Irene Limika did not secure a position in the winner's podium, but her placement is within the top 20 women in the world. Many opportunities to continue running in prestige races await her. 

Running Mecca of the World. .

An exciting opportunity that we have within the running mecca of the world, is that we will be witnessing hundreds of elite, professional athletes compete for the first position in a new race in Kiserian (right outside of Ngong) this Saturday, the 22nd. For those of you who know Edward Kimosop, he will competing in the 21K (half-marathon). Many of the runners who we have developed close relationships with are competing in the 10K, 15K, and the 21K. Be praying for God to run fiercely thru their bodies and allow His will to come fully upon the outcome of the race. WE are praying with great diligence that His will is for Kimosop to take the title, but we trust in God's purpose in His life. Pray for a race ran in the utmost of perseverance and strength.
In addition, we have another friend who will be running this weekend in the Berlin World Championships on Sunday the 23rd. Competing for the World Women's title, Irene Limika will be giving her all in this race. We have developed a strong relationship with her and her family and are anticipating a strong outcome for her.

1 Cor. 9: 24-27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So, run that you may obtain it. Every athlete practices self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But, I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
 We know that her body has been trained in the utmost of diligence and in the greatest of care. We know that Irene has been training her mind to be focused on the goal that is set out before her.  Yet, we also know that the greatest prize and goal of all is to run the race in the fullest of praise to our Father- Our God in Heaven who has blessed her body with the ability to run so swiftly. As a believer, pray that Irene will be able to carry the love that she has for God with her as she runs so diligently toward the goal in front of the whole world watching. Pray that He will fuel her every step and that others may see God's love overflowing from her example. 

Prayer for housing.

We were unable to connect to Skype because of internet connection, but thank you for those who attended Jd & Shellys wedding and have posted pics. It sheds much encouragement for us to be able to 'witness' the day. 

Yesterday, we were able to speak with the owner of an apartment we have had our eye on. Its still being built, so we were uncertain of how 'quickly' it would all be progressing. AFter talking to the owner, we feel that by Sept.4th it would be available for us to move in. This week is the final negotiations on the price, so please be praying that if God wills it, then all things will unfold as He sees it. Its a perfect place- nestled on the Ngong Hills, a 2 min. walk to the church and our Center- in between Gichagi & Ngong slum-  overlooking the city of Ngong and all its people--free-range chickens running around--a place for our own garden. A 2-bedroom apartment, so an extra room that awaits any visitors:).  An inviting place for those that God has to enter our doors...We will of course miss our precious friends in BulBul but sense that God has us to be closer to our Center, for all the people there who He has brought us here to grow with. Be praying for God's will in this. We trust His timing, so if this is not the place, then we wait for what God does have for us. 

Blessed...

We are blessed beyond measure as we have the strengthening opportunity to spend the weekend with our precious friends, Lesley & Michael Stevens. We are thankful to have some good quality time with familiar, close friends. We will be going to the school where Michael works to participate in the joyous celebration of JD & Shelly's beautiful wedding day (which is convenient they live across the street from the school). What a provision that Skype can allow us to not miss the great event! Ha, but then again, pray that it works:) A power rationing these days has impacted the internet's quickness. If you are reading JD & Shelly, congratulations and we love you so much! "See" you at the wedding... 

Being Rather than Doing.

Manning eloquently stated, “We have been given God in our souls and Christ in our flesh. We have the power to believe where others deny, to hope where others despair, to love where others hurt. This and so much more is sheer gift; it is not reward for our faithfulness, our generous disposition, or our heroic life of prayer. Even our fidelity is a gift. “It we but turn to God,” said St.Augustine, “that itself is a gift of God.” My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.”

 In our Americanized framework of thinking, being task-oriented is the blood that runs through our being. It fuels our passions and paves the way for our ‘goals’ to be accomplished. It is the mile-marker that gets us to where we desire to go. This often times flows easily into our Christian approach to life: that in order to be present, to be engaged in communion with God that we must do for him- Yet, the downfall comes when our task-oriented mentality blinds us from being with God.  However, being task-oriented is also a strength of America, allowing the ability to be focused and to be diligent in accomplishing great tasks.  Pursuing goals and making marks to accomplish them is not the problem. Where the issue lies, is when those ‘goals’ and those ‘marks’ blind us from the root of where those passions came from in the first place. If being with God is not the foremost then our doing for God will be in great vain. As a Christ-follower, we often use words like grace and purpose within the speech of our daily monologue. We have never been challenged as deeply are we are in this context--where what brought us here was a great task, of building a Vapor Sports Center. What happened over these past few weeks was that we became so consumed with the many ‘marks’ to get us there, that we were blinded in being with the One who brought us here in the first place. God has allowed a bump, a pot hole if you will, to stop our task-oriented strive and reposition our path to be centered on His fueling. There have been days where God has said, put the project down for today. I need you to be relational with others and to be in communion with me. From our framework, our world lens is almost viewed through timelines and deadlines. But, in God’s lens, He sees the needs before Him and the compassion He wants to show others through us. We are not able to see that lens, if we are not centered on being with God. If our tasks of 'ministry' and 'helping others' become more consuming, then we will forfeit the love of Christ to pour through us. 

Zacharius stated, “Faith is a thing of the mind. If you do not believe that God is in control and has formed you for a purpose, then you will flounder on the high seas of purposelessness, drowning in the currents and drifting further into nothingness.” If we are not positioned in being in Christ, rather than doing for Him then will drift further out into ‘nothingness.’ We are only sufficient through the grace given to us, freely, through Christ. May we find our times with Him as the communion we need to extend our time, our efforts, and our resources to others.