A Great End to the Year

On the morning of New Year's Eve our Suba Lakers Football Club invited the parents of all of our players to Mbita for a parent's meeting. All of the club officials were there to talk with the parents. Most of the three hour meeting was in the local tribal language, but I think I followed most of it. After appropriate introductions of everyone in the room, our vice-chairman explained to the parents the purpose of the club. Most of them already knew but it was good for them to hear again that we are trying to develop all-around girls, nourishing them spiritually, academically and physically. Football is the means which we can use to help them build better futures.

We officially announced the success that several of our girls had on their National Exams. One of our girls was the 8th best girl in the district (out of thousands), another one was the 16th best. Several of them will be proceeding to High School. We shared about how we help to tutor them when they come for training and that we give them time to study. We also gave the parents advice on how to help their child succeed academically.

Other officials shared about the team rules and guidelines, the program when they come for training and other issues pertaining to them. Before concluding we shared about the successes on the field.

The highlight of the day though was the comments and reactions of the parents. Typically in Kenya, at the end of every 3-4 hour meeting, the participants have time to speak their mind. Most of the time, at least in my experience, they are complaints and other negative things. This time was much different. The parents praised the club for how it is helping their girls. Some talked about how they have seen their child's character changing over the last 1-2 years. Others talked about the improvement in their academic performance. Others said that without the help of the club their girl would have never finished 8th grade and passed her national exam. Many said that football is keeping their daughters busy with positive activities and keeping them away from pregnancy and dropping out of school like many girls in their villages. All of them wanted the girls to come and train even more often (sometimes we feel guilty like we are calling them to come to much, but we found out the parents feel differently). Others commented on the way we handle their daughter with such care and concern and the way we communicate with the families and the schools they come from. There were also good comments on some things we can improve in the future.

I can't explain how touched my heart was after the meeting. These widowed single mothers and old grandmothers can see that we are helping to make a difference in their girl's life. There was no better way to end the year than that!

This Little Light of Mine

On Sunday evening we were returning from Kisii after having played 5 football matches in 4 days. Fortunately we arrived in Mbita before dark so we were able to get almost all of the players home before dark. When you are working with girls, especially in this area, you have to be very careful because of the dangers all around them. Their parents and guardians entrust them to us and we want to do everything possible to make sure they reach back home safely. Only one player remained and she happened to be one of my favorites (I know you are not supposed to have favorites but we all do). Alicent was missing her family and her home and really wanted to reach that night, instead of waiting for the next day. Her home is on the other side of Rusinga Island. My friend Mourine Ooro and I decided to drive her home.

She is the youngest girl on our senior team (she just turned 13 years old), but one of the boldest and bravest. She has a lot of spunk, always quick to smile and loves to laugh. We had a good conversation with her on her way home. She was asking about my family back in America and we were talking about her family here in Kenya. After the death of her father in 2001 Alicent lived for three years in Uganda in her maternal grandparents home. In 2006 she returned to her paternal grandparents home on Rusinga Island to be with her sick mother. Not long after Alicent’s return, the mother also passed away. Alicent had returned from church one Saturday and found the mother lifeless in her bed. Alicent and her six siblings were soon after dispersed throughout different parts of Kenya and Uganda to be cared for by various relatives. Since that time Alicent has remained in Kenya and has been cared for by a step-mother. The step-mother has three children of her own that she is also caring for and she makes charcoal to provide for the family. Alicent has a very strong bond with her step-mother and her 81 year old grandparents.

We parked the car on the road and then walked about 2 km down the mountain toward the lake where their home is situated. I had visited the home several times before, so I was greeted very warmly by the step-mother and grandparents. They are always happy to see Alicent come home.

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law's father, Rich, gave me a very special Christmas gift. It was a Coleman LED lantern which works for over 125 hours before the batteries need replacing. I had used it every night in my house since receiving it because it lights up my sitting room much better than my normal light. It allowed me to do some work or read the newspaper at night. It was also small enough to function as a flashlight too which is why I had it with me when I was bringing Alicent home that night.

After entering their house we prayed and exchanged greetings, but I felt a tug at my heart that I should give them my new lantern. Maybe it was because the house was dark and the only light was a tiny candle that was about to go out. I tried to convince myself not to give it away. I told myself that I really needed it myself and that these people would not even know how to use it. Even if they did know how to use it they wouldn't be able to afford new batteries once these one are used up. I thought of every excuse, even that I wouldn't be able to find my way back to the car that night without a light (even though the moon was full and bright).

Normally I like to give things away, but usually they are old things that I don't like or use anymore; not something that is special to me.

In the end, I gave a gift that hurt me a little bit, yet it also felt so good. I don't know if they truly understood what I gave them or if they will really use it, but I do know that the tug on my heart to freely give was too much to overcome.

In a small way, it is like the gift that God gave us on Christmas 2000 years ago. He gave His best, His one and only son. I can't imagine the hurt and pain it must have caused God (not to mention the hurt and pain Jesus endured on the cross for us).

The light he gave us wasn't a little lantern that can light up a small mud hut, but the Light of the entire World!

On the Field

During our four day trip to Kisumu and Kisii we played 5 matches. On Thursday we took on Girls Talent Academy in Ahero and defeated them 8-0, but in all honesty it could have been 15-0 as we spoiled many good chances. It wasn't very competitive, but it did give us good practice at finishing around the goal, six different players scored goals in the match.

On Saturday in Kisumu we defeated Kasagam 6-0. We controlled the ball possession for almost the whole game. Irine Achieng started the scoring early with a great left-footed kick from the wing over the goal-keeper. In the finals we face SEP from Oyugis. They are similar to us in that they have school-going girls and try to use football as a way to impact other areas of their lives. The SEP team started much more aggressive than we did and their fans were cheering loud and also were very negative towards our team. I think our girls were a little intimidated and didn't react fast enough towards the ball. The other team scored early in the 2nd half to go ahead by a goal and their fans were even more relentless. Our girls kept battling and finally a few minutes before the end Dorothy Adhiambo scored a goal to even the score. Unfortunately we lost on post-match penalty kicks 3-2, but it was a good competitive game that will help us in the future.

On Sunday we travelled to Kisii and faced the 2nd best team in the country in the first match. Kisii United finished 2nd in the Kenya Premier League in their inaugural season. Our girls played very well, but fell 5-0. Only two goals came during the regular flow of the match, the others came on a penalty, a corner kick and a goalkeeping error. And we had multiple chances, but just couldn't quite convert. All of our players were 17 year old or younger, playing against much older and more experienced players. In fact, our 13 year old mid-fielder (Alicent), 14 year old mid-fielder (Raisha) and 14 year old defender (Linet) played exceptionally well. I was so proud of them and so was the Kisii coach. He was so impressed that he wants us to sign an official transfer for two of our players to join his team in the women's professional league next season. He was even willing to help pay their school fees if they come. It could be a great opportunity for them financially, academically and athletically.

In the second match we scored a late goal to defeat Nyamira 3-2. We controlled the game early on going up 2-0, but let them back in the game before we finished it out.

It was a successful trip. Even though we were without 5 of our best players, our girls showed their talent, grit and determination. I am even more motivated to continue working with them and helping them achieve their goals.

Off the Field

We travelled with our girls football team last week to Kisumu and Kisii to play some matches, We had a unique opportunity this time because one of the days we didn't have any games to play. So after training Friday morning and spending some time on academic work we took them to the museum. They got to learn more about Kenyan culture and different tribes, the various animals that live in different areas. They also saw many species of snakes live as well as crocodiles. They enjoyed seeing things in person that they had only heard about through their teachers or seen in textbooks.

Afterwards the kids went shopping in a supermarket (the first time for some of them) and even got to ride in some bumper cars. They loved "driving" and ramming into one another. Some of them couldn't stop laughing the entire time.

More Than Just Football

The football club girls reported for training on Monday, the 13th. December is the perfect time for training because the school year is over and they have a lot of free time. They were excited to come and showed a lot of enthusiasm on the football field. Free from the burden of school and other stresses, they seemed so happy and lively. Their fitness wasn't the best, but it seemed to improve everyday. The thirty girls love the opportunity to come together and develop their God-given abilities.

But our Football Club is much more than just playing a game. We try to use it to impact the lives of these girls physically, socially, academically and spiritually. Too many girls in this area drop out of school before finishing 8th grade to work or to get married. Throughout the week, we were doing an FCA Bible Study that discussed the basics of Christianity such as salvation, security, Holy Spirit, Word of God, Prayer, Satan and others. It was wonderful to see the girls looking up scriptures, discussing problems and learning the Word of God.

In the afternoons we took time to help them academically, even though school is out. Many of them struggle in Math at their rural schools, so i was able to spend a couple of hours giving them help, answering their questions and helping them to understand better.

it was such a successful week in so many ways.

A Bad Christmas for Politicians

Last week the International Criminal Court in Hague charged 6 Kenyans for their actions during the post-election violence that rocked the country and left over a thousand dead and half a million displaced from their homes after the 2007 election went awry. These weren't just normal citizens, but a radio personality, the head of the police and high ranking politicians (including the Deputy Prime Minister).

Last year, the government had the option to have them face a local tribunal, but turned that down which then left it in the hands of the ICC according to the peace accord signed by the Prime Minister and President that put an end to the violence. After the announcement of "The Hague Six" other politicians quickly rallied to their side and shot out at the ICC and the entire process. They went back to the card they love to pull out, "This is a tribally/ethnically motivated political ploy. Do these people realize that most people outside of Kenya could care less what tribe somebody belongs to?

I don't claim to know who is guilty and who is innocent, but I do pray for the truth to be revealed and that those who planned and organized the violence and the forceful evictions from people's homes will be brought to justice. That seems to be very rare in this country.

Wikileaks Causing Problems in Kenya

The Wikileaks controversey has really struck a chord here in Kenya. The web-site released just a few comments from the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Michael Rannenberger. He said that the leaders of this country are supporting a culture of impunity because they don’t punish those high ranking officials involved in corruption and other crimes. Then he went on to say something about Kenya having the most corrupt government in Kenya. Oops, I bet he wished that never came out in the news.

During yesterday’s independence day celebration the president, prime minister and everyone else that got up to speak lashed out at him. Kenya’s leaders are really ticked off. I am not sure if they even spoke about any other topic; at least the news coverage didn’t show anything else. I wonder how many Kenyans would say they agree with Rannenberger’s comments? I hear many of them say the same thing, but I guess it is a little different coming from a Kenyan then coming from an outsider living in Kenya.

Probably not the best thing for diplomatic relations between the two countries? How long will it take for the U.S. to transfer him out of the country? My guess is that it will be pretty quick!

Land of Paradox

The past couple of days I have really been reminded of the paradox of serving here. In some ways I love this place so much, and in other ways it drives me crazy. There are parts of the culture that are so endearing, and others that I will never understand. Even the same is true with the people and relatonships.

I received an e-mail update from the leaders of my mission training that I took before coming to Kenya. What they said is so true, and really applies to me. I wish I would have wrote it...

"If I had to choose a word to describe this year, it would be PARADOX. I
love that word. It allows seemingly contradictory realities to dwell together
at the same time. And this year, like most, has held many paradoxes...

At any given moment, our hearts are full and broken, enriched and depleted,
grateful and weeping, content and longing for more. It is to these hearts
that the Savior faithfully comes, bringing grace and a song! It is this Savior
that our hearts celebrate at Christmas and in all the seasons of life!"

Lessons From a Dead Mouse

Living in Kenya is a paradox for me. Sometimes I love it and sometimes not so much. But I think that is true for all of us, whereever we live.

Friday was not the best day for me. After sleeping for only 3 hours Thursday night I was awoken by a noise and couldn't get back to sleep. I was already a little jet-lagged, but I laid in bed for an hour and a half in an unfruitful attempt to induce sleep. Luckily, there was a football game on TV at 4:30 am (time difference between Kenya and U.S.) so I laid on the couch and watched a little. Realizing sleep was not going to happen again, I got ambitous and tried to call a customer service line in America to help me with my new Kindle e-book reader (parent's Christmas present). Well that was quite a joy to spend 15 minutes on hold and then a pleasant 30 minute conversation (on international rates) hearing about all the extra charges for trying to use the 3G downloading function overseas for my subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.


By 7:30 I set off to meet our boys football team who was competing in a tournament in Sindo, 20 km away. Unfortunately, the other vehicle had a dead battery (because the owner had used it to watch TV in his house all night) so I had to jumpstart him so that we can bring the whole team to Sindo. Even though the roads were quite muddy and slippery from the morning rain, we reached well, but the other vehicle got a flat tire just outside of Mbita. Believe it or not, they had no spare tire (frequent occurrence in Kenya). So after dropping my group I had to go back to pick up the other players and the bad tire. We arrived just in time for kick-off but I think the events of the morning played a toll on the kids and they got beat 4-1.


I had to quickly rush back to Mbita for a meeting with the leadership at CGA at noon. The meeting was pretty uneventful, and was followed by two more meetings, now with the parents of our secondary students in the sponsorship program. It turned out to be a pretty typical Kenya meeting, lasting about 4 1/2 hours. Everyone has to give their opinion and then open it up for in-depth discussion. Some were good, some were not.


After the meetings, many students and several parents were waiting to share personal problems with me. The family of one of our boys was kicked out of their house and off their land because the father had sold it before he died without telling one. Others wanted to discuss switching schools or their fee problems or other things I shouldn't write about in this blog. By the time I started walking home, it was already getting dark outside.


When reaching home, I realized my sitting room light barely gave out enough light for me to see my own hand. Having wasted hours and hours previously with the solar lights and fixtures, I decided to leave that job for another day. So I lit a candle and a lantern. That wasn't the best idea because they attracted all of the mosquitos and lake flies which seemed to fixate on my face. Soon after, the rain began pouring down and eventually through my roof and in many spots throughout the house.


Tired, hungry and at my wits end, I gave up and decided to go to bed. On my way to bed, I spotted a rather large mouse in my pantry. My reflexes are deteriorating in my old age so I was unsuccessful trying to catch it. Defeated, I strugged to set up some peanut butter (my least favorite food in the world) on a few mouse traps and place them around the house.


I finally plopped down in my bed and just started spilling my heart out to God in the dark of the night. I don't know if it was jet lag, or the 3 hours of sleep the night before, or just cross-cultural frustrations, but I felt totally downhearted. Just a couple of minutes into my prayer time, I heard the snap of a mouse trap. That sound brought so much joy to my heart. I just shouted outloud "Praise God!" My prayers of frustration turned into prayers of gratitude and joy for how good God is to me. I felt like he was telling me, "Don't worry Joe, I have you taken care of. I know exactly what you need and will meet those needs according to my glorious riches."


Thank you God! And thank you stupid mouse!