Baylor Sports Ministry

Round 2

Hey everybody,

We are back. To check out the new blog go to: http://kenyasports10.wordpress.com/ Or you can stay here and check out some stuff from our first trip in 2009.

With love from the entire Team,
Bryan

London

Hey parents and other faithfull readers. We are safe, but have not had any access to the internet we are in Hethroww now waiting for our flight. Love you, see you soon.

Swindolling Africa

Safari time!!!!

We spent the last two days in a time of fellowship at Lake Nakuru. Although on our itinerary it may have been scheduled as a safari, we actually took that time to come together and share how the Lord had worked in our lives these past two weeks. Furthermore we discussed how we could share and apply all that we experienced back in America. I was so grateful for this time with my friends. It may have seemed idle compared to the other days we spent doing tangible work, but these two days were among the most important. Oh, and as far as the Safari goes… I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

P.S.
I think we sang every song in “The Lion King” at least fifty times throughout the safari.

Yes, we were within five feet of the lions.

Announcement

Thank you all so much for the comments. They are a great blessing and encouragement to us all. They are all read aloud to the whole group during debriefing. Thanks so much again, We love hearing from you.

Keeping Up With the Jones

We woke up this morning to Wes Yeary’s voice, Didn’t want to wake up but we had no choice. Off to breakfast, then time to leave Eager to discover what God would achieve. We got on the bus and gathered to pray, Then we wished Rachel a happy Birthday! Before we headed off to do our good deeds, We went to a place called Kazur where they make beads. From the clay, to the sculpting, to the oven, to the table, They designed creations in ways we are not able. After being processed they put on a shiny glaze, Looking through the shops we all became amazed. With new jewelry in our bags it was time to go To see the elephants and the baby rhino. On the way there we were bombarded by baboons They were awfully cute, even their moons. They elephants were darling, though they literally weighed a ton, They charged at us once, but it was all in good fun. Then came the rhino who didn’t have a horn But that’s only because he was a baby newborn. After plenty of pictures we left for our next extravaganza, We’re adding this sentence to continue the stanza. Driving to a school on the outskirts of a slum, We saw poverty and thieves that caused heartache to everyone. We arrived after lunchtime when the kids were all full, This gave us an advantage when we played fútbol. After playing with them at a nearby location, We followed them to their classrooms to continue education. Although we’ve visited several places It still breaks our hearts to leave their smiling faces. We next played the national team when the rain began to pour, So we had to leave the field tied four to four. As we said goodbye to our new Kenyan friends, They gave us bracelets as new fashion trends. Back to the hotel for some food and a shower, It was another fun day that revealed our Lord’s power. Now its time to go to sleep and get some rest, Thank you for reading our poem, have a good night and GOD BLESS!!! –Melissa and Lindsay

In the Palmer of God’s Hand

Greetings from Kenya!

Today was a very exciting day because David, our bus driver, decided to accept Christ as his personal savior!  Praise God!  He told Wes that although we think we came to Kenya to impact lives in the places we’ve been visiting, he believes God sent us here for him. That meant a lot to me because of the way he thanked us, and also it’s encouraging to hear about how God works in the lives of others.

As for our daily activities, we visited two schools.  At the first, we just stopped by for a tour because we’re scheduled to go back on Wednesday.  They were mainly younger children and they were all so excited to see us when we walked in.  They lined up along the walk way to shake our hands and we got to chat with them for a little bit.  The teachers then sent them back to class so we could tour through.  Each classroom greeted us with a song and smiling children.  One thing I’ve noticed about the people we’ve encountered is how they are so content with what they have.  When a five year old looks up at you in his tattered clothes, crammed between two of his classmates at an itty bitty desk, with a face expressing the purest form of excitement, you can’t help but reevaluate the way you perceive your life.  We had a little down time after we visited the rooms and a few of us got to play duck-duck-goose in Swahili.  Since we’re not quite fluent yet, we weren’t sure if we were a duck or a goose, so it turned into us jumping up to chase the little kids at random.  I’m pretty sure they won every time, but you’re supposed to let them win, right?  It’s always hard leaving a place we visit because I feel like I get so attached to the kids while I’m there, but this place was a little easier since we knew we were coming back.

Then we were off to the second school.  They welcomed us with tea and pancakes.  I for one love pancakes so I knew I was going to like this place.  These kids were younger as well and we spent a lot of time playing with them outside in a field. Sometimes we’d just be sitting, clapping, and singing songs (Grease, Disney, Jesus Loves Me…you name it, we sang it), but they always seemed mesmerized, it was so cute.  What shocked me was watching the teachers have just as much fun as the children.  I distinctly remember one time when I was playing catch with a little boy and I had to go chase the ball down when it went between my legs (yeah, we’re supposed to be athletes…whoops!), and my gaze turned to eight teachers intensely playing with a miniature soccer ball.  They were competing and laughing with each other like they were kids again.  This just goes to show we can all take a break from the daily demands of life.  So with that said, all you readers skip work today and go crash the nearest school’s recess!  I’m kidding, but on a serious note, it was nice to see everyone having a good time.

About this time Wes came with some supplies for us to paint the inside of their classrooms, so half of us went to do that.  If you were there, you would swear we’re all art majors.  It was amazing how much one coat of paint brightened up the rooms.  Since I was painting, I didn’t get to spend those hours with the kids, but I hear Bryan was Hercules out there lifting them up to dunk the basketballs.  And, of course, Laura, LJ, and the others were being their joyful selves and loving on the kids.

As we left we were bombarded with thank you’s and asante’s that I have found to be characteristic of the Kenyan people.  They thanked us for our services and thanked them for letting us spend time with them.

It was another day of fun, serving, and learning about God.  The smiles on the faces of these people never get old.  God has shown me multiple ways to experience His presence on this trip. I’m so thankful not only that I’ve been able to come to Kenya, but that I’ve been able to be here with this team.  This is a special group of people. I look forward to bus rides and meals, not just for the food, (and those of you who know me know that’s saying a lot) but to get to spend time with everyone.  We’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster and I hope we can impact people at least a fraction of the amount they have impacted us.  I’ve been changed and I pray that none of us forget what we’ve learned!  Thank you everyone for supporting us and please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Ps – We got to eat Kenyan pizza tonight…glorious!  Great decision Andrew.

The Brittany Invasion

Jambo!

Today, all of the Baylor groups went to the City Harvest Church.  We met around 10 AM in one of the parks in Nairobi.  They were very welcoming, and hosted a special service outside to accommodate all of us.  It seems like everywhere we go the people are SO genuinely welcoming and filled with joy.  Seeing everything, both good and bad things, reminds me of earlier this week when LJ talked about Habakkuk ch1, “Look at the Nations and watch- and be utterly amazed.  For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”  I just love how we can all come together as brothers and sisters in Christ and simply hang out and worship Him.  We made a huge circle, and then sang some praise and worship songs (the weather was great).  Both Wes and Pastor Edward fed us some of the word.  I got a little bit nervous after that when we started stretching.  We danced and sang for a while, going round and round in the circle.  It was a lot of fun!  Once we were all danced out, we split up into four teams to play some games.  Around lunch time, we had some special visitors… monkeys!  They just went from tree to tree ‘hanging out.’  They also thought it would be fun to join one of our soccer matches later on in the day.  Haha.  The last thing we did was play tug-o-war.  Baylor girls vs. City Harvest girls and City Harvest Boys vs. Baylor boys.  The Baylor girls rocked it out and our boys gave their best effort.  We left around three, and headed to the Messiah market.  One word- intense.  (Individual stories to follow)  We wrapped up the day dining with Walter, our sports ministry bff, and his family.

Baraka,

Brittany

A Whole Lotto Love

Today we visited Tone La Maji, an orphanage built by La Goccia as a sign of hope for all Kenyan children. The second we arrived we were bombarded with cheerful welcomes and undying love. We joined to make a circle and together as God’s children we prayed. We then moved to “the hall” a big empty room, with window. This room had a special vibe, a spirit. When we first walked in there were 5 boys holding drums between their knees pounding away energized by the Holy Spirit. The beat was unique, uplifting, and welcoming. Right off the back I knew this school, was a school of art that expressed themselves though music, art, dance, and drama. While we entered the room, the children were carrying rows of benches into the room and forming a giant circle, in which we sat. Our team, the all-boys orphanage, and the general missions team sat as we were once again welcomed (“Karibu”) to Tone La Maji. We made our way around the circle stating our name, where we were from, and what we liked, just to become a little more familiar with each other. The room was progressively filled with more and more boys with big eyes and even bigger smiles. After the introduction, a skit was performed. With background music from the drums, the first boy walks out until he is stopped by another boy, “Excuse me my dear brother, do you know the key to a good life?” The boy walking replied, “Yes, wine my brother.”, The boy responded, “Thank you.” The 2nd boy comes out and on his way he is interrupted by the same boy who again says, “Excuse me my dear brother, do you know the key to a good life?”, this time the boy responds, “Yes, its smoking, smoking is the key to a good life.” “Thank you the boy responded.” One last time the boy comes into contact with another boy and asks, “Excuse me my dear brother, do you know the key to a good life?” As the drums gets louder, faster, and increasingly dramatic, this time the boy responds with a bible in his hand, “Yes, yes through the Lord Jesus Christ, come with me.” The End. Something so simple can be so powerful; one step can change your whole life in the matter of seconds. All you have to do is accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.” Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the lord determines his steps.” Other children took the stage performing songs and cultural dances. When everyone was finished performing we paired up with the children and they toured us around the orphanage to see all of its surroundings. A boy named Rooney picked me out of the crowd, and took me by the hand. He showed me the dormitory where they slept, with 3 other boys, the room was big and spacey, yet very bare. Everything they owned was kept above their bed. He then lead me to the kitchen (his favorite place) where all the cooking went on, I saw one woman with a knife in one hand, a potato in the other, and a pile of about 200 peeled potatoes on her right. What an amazing woman, God sees everything; he doesn’t focus on just the star, but also what behind the scenes. As we walked toward the church, the music got louder and louder. It was a beautiful church with rays of light beaming in through the windows. Big, colorful, uplifting paintings of Moses, Jesus, and Mary bordered the wall. It may have been small, but Gods presence was big. Next, we went to the “Music room,” surprised and shocked we walk into a room of “Lil Wayne”, “Nelly”, and “Daddy Yankee” with some Kenyan music shuffled in the mix as well. We danced, and danced until we couldn’t dance anymore. We picked up some dance moves from them, but with a lot less grace and rhythm. No ones feet move faster than that of a Kenyan, and I think my team can back me in that. After an hour of non stop dancing we headed outside to see nature at it’s finest. Again, Rooney took me by the hand to see the big, beautiful trees, smell the crisp fresh air, and witness the flowers blooming from the summer sun. I saw gardens, banana trees, the growing of squash and maize. The atmosphere was so peaceful, so quiet, so serene, like no where I have ever been. One of those places you could just stare into space and admire God’s nature. We crossed a river over a big log, just like you see in the movies. We returned to the other side walking back on a path of large stones. We were prepared a Kenyan style type of stew made of beef, rice, carrots, and potatoes, as we ate we had fellowship, and talked about everything from how the food was prepared to God’s plan. Next we drove the bus over to the soccer fields, with people in the bus, and people up on the top. On the 2mph cruise control bus ride over we sang songs, our version of “Hakuna Matata” (from Lion King), as well as theirs (which I cant remember all the words, yet can’t seem to get the beat out of my head). When we arrived to the soccer fields we broke up in teams. Team America vs Tone La Maji. Despite the stiff competition, we pulled out a “W” in which improved our record to 2-0. Whoop Whoop!! The win was nice, but the real bliss came from the privilege of playing a friendly, passionate game of soccer with God watching us from above. While I’m here, each day keeps getting better. It feels so good to give back, and be a servant of God. “We make a living by what we get –we make a life by what we give”- Arnold Glasgow. After a rather emotional day yesterday, today was a great day to lift our spirits. We danced, we sang, we laughed, we played, and we praise God in the process, if that’s not an ideal day, than I don’t know what is.

God Bless,

Lindsay “lotto”

John3:16son

Today, Friday, was a day full of a lot of emotions for our team. The previous days were full of fun and great fellowship, but today was a little different. Today was a emotional reality check for our team. We started off our day bright and early at 4:30 a.m. We met up with Pastor Boniface who is a minister for men and boys that live on the streets. At 5 a.m. we actually drove downtown to the streets of Nairobi and met with 30-40 of these men and boys. Boniface is truly an incredible man. He first ministers to the boys and shares God’s word and love with them. We each got to pray with 5 or 6 of the men and let them know that God loves them and that through Him anything is possible. After Boniface finished spreading God’s word to them, we helped him feed the boys 3 slices of bread and milk. For some of the men, the 3 slices of bread and milk is the only food they will have until Boniface returns. Boniface goes to the streets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to minister to these boys. So by feeding them today this may be the last meal they eat until Monday. Another issue is that many of the younger boys are addicted to glue. All day long they sniff glue in order to get high so that it masks the pain that they are experiencing. Even through all of the struggle, pain and hardship that these people are experiencing, God is present in their lives. Many of them are finding jobs, getting off the streets and most importantly accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Later today we actually got the privilege to go to Boniface’s house, which he named Liberty House. Here he brings in some of the boys off the streets and helps house them and put them in school and share God’s love with them while they are in this transition phase. There we rolled up our sleeves and went to work. We helped paint, planted trees (which we each got to name), and used sickles to help cut the grass in the front of the house.
Over all the day was a great learning experience and really touched all of our hearts. We are excited to see what God has planned for us in the upcoming days here in Kenya. Please keep our team in your thoughts and prayers.

-Lindsey