Day 9: Championship Game: Street Boys -vs- Samro

Day 9: Change the Future Tournament: Championship Game

From the moment we awoke until our beds called us in the evening, our day was packed.  We prepared a Palm Sunday/Easter lesson for the Sunday School children and enjoyed every second of it.    It was incredible to sit in the church service (although the American Choir did participate, ha!); we remember the doors opening 14 years ago. 

After lunch, we walked the short distance to A-STEP’s soccer field where hundreds of those in the community and on the teams gathered.  There was a large white tent with chairs where the adults sat, and wood goalposts showed where the teams would play.  Sheep ate on the field.  Boys were busy with excitement.  Boisterous music from the speakers filled the air.  Five-year-old children from a local school repeated poems about education.  The third place consolation game began first with Mama Kigen and me kicking the ball to start the game.  Everyone screamed as a goal was scored and then another. 

Then, the game everyone was waiting for: the championship.  Samro School –vs- The Street Boys.  An official from Uasin Gishu District presented each boy with a new jersey.  Burgundy for the street   Black with yellow for Samro.  Faces were beaming with delight as they proudly put on their jerseys.  The whistle blew.  From one end to the other, it was a tight, evenly-matched game.  Most players from both teams competed without shoes and darted all around the field.  Kenyan runners are known worldwide, and most of those Olympic runners come from this area and the Kalenjin tribe.  It was easy to see why as they are fast!  Everyone would scream as a goal was imminent on both ends of the field, only to be saved every time.  The final whistle blew.  Penalty kicks.  Best out of three.
boys.

First try for Street Boys.  Save.

First try for Samro.  Goal.

Second try for Street Boys.  Save.

Second try for Samro.  Save.

Third try for Street Boys. Goal.  And the ensuing cheer from their sidelines would have made you  

think they won.

Third try for Samro.  Goal.

Samro wins.  A victorious moment for Samro and every bit deserved. 

But part of me wanted Street Boys to win.  Just once in their life.  Not meant to be today. 

Sad faces gathered on the sideline.  Many sat in the grass.  Exhausted.  Hungry.  Bummed. 

I walked over to their Mom, and told her they should be so proud.  She then called all of the boys over.   The group encircled me as I held Gracie.  She smiled at them.  They smiled back and wanted to shake her hand.  I told them in a Swahili-English mix to hold their heads up.  To see all they’ve accomplished.  I felt words failed.  I wanted to take them all home with me.  I wanted to give them a place to rest their heads tonight.  I wanted to dump my children’s clothes in their hands.  I wanted to feed their bellies.  I wanted to fix.  But at this moment they wanted to know they were okay.  They hadn’t won.  Again.  But they hadn’t been forgotten.  They were okay.  

The teams gathered behind the goal for words of encouragement from Cameron as he shared from I Timothy 4:12.  He had prepared his speech for days, practicing and rehearsing it over and over.  Cameron shared his own journey in his faith and in the common sport: from field player to goalkeeper as no one else volunteered, and what he learned about stepping out and having courage in the Lord.  I Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, and in purity.”  This verse is written on the backs of the shirts each player of the 20 participating teams received.  One by one the boys from all of the teams received medals around their necks to remind them of the tournament, and they can Be the Change as the tournament name stated.

The Street Boys raised their second place trophy high into the sky!  I’m sure their mom will keep this safe and show them regularly, and hopefully when they see it they are reminded they are special, valued, and loved. 

As we leave, more questions swirl in our hearts and heads as we take with us what we’ve seen, heard, and experienced and process all that it means. 

And then one of the most humbling moments: during our goodbye, Tim, the founder of A-STEP, had a presentation for Cameron.  The boys wanted to say thank you.  But they don't have anything.  They don't own anything.  Except one thing.  Tim handed their VERY OWN soccer ball made out of string and plastic bags.  They gave their only possession.  Humbling.  Beautiful.  Treasure.
Tears flowed down my 12-year-old's face...and mine.
And I can’t stop thinking about those beautiful street boys.  

Day 7: Matt...the First Guest at a New National Game Park, Chebet, and Samro

Day 7: First Guest at a National Game Park, Chebet, and Samro

March 18, 2016

Matt left early in the morning with Samuel and headed to the Kerio Valley to check on some feeding grass growing on his property that neighbors a new national game park.  What crazy stories he has from today: news

cameras in his face, first guest into the park, pulled into tribal dancing, ushered into sitting with the village chiefs.  He had quite the adventure!  Hilarious! The video tells it all, but is too big to upload right now (will try another time).

I had the privilege of spending time with Chebet who had come from four hours away to see us.  Chebet was five when I first met her, and she became like a little sister to me when we lived here.  Her mom and I taught Sunday School together, and Chebet would faithfully come and learn until this day when she is walking with the Lord and sees His goodness in her life.  Life has been difficult for her.  There were many nights that her father would come home drunk, and we’d hear beatings from their compound and her mom and the children would come for safety.  I’m so proud of the choices she is making for her future, and it was a joy to sit in her presence.  

After lunch we distributed the pencils to the Samro children, the seeds, and a soccer ball.  Cameron was quick to join the boys during recess in soccer, and Kaylee joined the girls in hand games and taught them how to make rubber band bracelets.  The best gift to my heart in the world is watching my children grow in the knowledge of the Lord and seeing their hearts full as they learn and jump in with both feet in this amazing land. 

Gracie and Kaylee on a walk

 

Kaylee teaching the girls how to make rubber band bracelets with just fingers

Gracie playing with the children at ELI's children's home

Kaylee and Deborah: another story for another day

Chebet and Gracie

Day 8: Street Boys, Full Bellies and New Clothes

Day 8: Street Boys, Full Bellies and New Clothes

March 19, 2016

Before their semi-final game with their mom

When they arrived

Eating lunch (thanks to Matt's parents who provided the meal)

Getting new clothes

Add caption

Cam with the boys

“How did you become their mom?” I asked a warm, smiling lady who had the respect of 45 street children, ages about eight to 16, as I watched them devour a meal of rice, beans and milk. 

In February, Change the Future Soccer Tournament began through Heavenly Treasures Kenya and A-STEP ministry, and the street children heard about it.  The ragtag group of boys who find refuge in the streets showed up sniffing glue and without the proper attire at the field ready to play.  They came.  This was the first step. 

And today we invited them for a meal before their semi-final game.  They made the semi-finals! They arrived with glue in hand.  Ripped shirts.  Grass in hair.  Dirty faces.  Heavy eyes.  Pants too big for their waists.  Wary.  They entered into the dining hall and awaited their bowls.  Rice.  Beans.  Milk.  Second helping served by their mom.  Rice.  Beans.  Milk.  The volume increasingly grew as their stomachs stopped growling and energy was refueled.  I smiled as my 12-year-old son sat in the middle of the group, enjoying their company. 

Afterwards, one of the cottages was filled with surprises for them.  Over 50 pairs of Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and other brands lain on three chairs sorted by size; these were all donated by my Bible study groups who heard about the street children’s team.  A stack of 30 athletic pants formed a pile on the bed; Cameron’s middle school boys’ Bible study (e.g. a bunch of 12-14 year old boys!) at church and through Young Life collected change for a month so these could be purchased, and now the boys would wear new pants for the first time in their lives.  Bright yellow jerseys rolled into neat balls like cinnamon rolls were tucked away on a book shelf; these were donated by Tursi’s Soccer Store in Portland.  Little did Tursi’s know how much this generous gesture would bring joy and light to really hard lives.  One by one, the boys entered.  Their eyes lit up like Christmas lights on a tree.  Bright.  Excited.  Remembered. 

I walked back to the dining hall where the rest of the boys were waiting for their names to be called like horses at the Kentucky Derby before the gate is opened.  As they watched their friends return with bright yellow jerseys and smiles as wide as Niagara Falls, they became even more anxious for their turns into the cottage. 

“In 2013, I was feeling like I needed to help them, because I would see them on the street.  But I feared.  What would they do to me?  I didn’t want to listen to God calling me.  But I went into a church, and it was clear that I was supposed to help.  So, I went and began to meet with them.  One day after a church service, a few of the boys said they wanted me to come to their barracks.  This is where they all gather.  I again feared.  They would kill me, I thought.  I wanted to remain outside.  But I went, and it changed my life.  They came up to me and called me ‘Mom!’  You see, they are just children, and they need a mom.  I don’t know why God called me, but He did, and I must be obedient.”

When the last boy received his new clothes, the chatter and smiles erupted.  They couldn’t shake our hands enough.  They put Cameron in the middle of them and for once in a long while it was if they believed they were valued and cared for.  Little things that go a long way.  We are thankful for all of those back home that made today possible; it takes a village for many things, but especially for today.  We did not come alone.  And we pray for their mom that cares for them and loves these boys as her own.  Oh, and the boys won their semi-final game!  They will compete for the championship tomorrow!

Day 6 in Kenya: Haven Recovery Center, Soccer Tournament Preparation, and Delivering Seeds

Day 6: Haven Recovery Center, Preparing for the Soccer Tournament, and Delivering Seeds
March 17, 2016

Mama Elijah

We headed down the bumpy road for breakfast with Mama Elijah and Rono.  The kids squealed delightfully in the back as Baba Kigen hit bumps, and Gracie just smiled.  Mama Elijah came running out of the home and embraced us with her warmth and joy that is contagious.  Thirteen years ago Rono shared with us the dream he had of a recovery center for those with addictions, and it was INCREDIBLE to see that dream realized.  We sat in their living room amazed at the story, and then took a tour of Haven Recover Center.   This is a sacred place where lives are being changed and futures are realized. 

With Rono, Elijah and Samuel

Matt met with Obadiah and A-STEP sports outreach to discuss the final weekend of the soccer tournament and the celebration.  We had the honor of hearing the founder of the outreach, Timothy, share his incredible testimony from being a street boy in one of the hardest slums in Nairobi to seeing sports as a way to bring children together to talk about their struggles and use their aggressions in the correct way to now where he has founded an organization to help change the future for the youth of Kenya.  He was cut with machetes on his head, his brother died, his mother had severe injuries from being hit by a car and because of it his father told her to leave, and he ended up with her in one of the hardest slums in Nairobi.  Soccer was his outlet, and through many challenges and circumstances he overcame and began A-STEP.  Unbelievable.  It is humbling to partner with him in this soccer tournament, and we will wait to see what the Lord has in store.   We also organized  

Cameron with Obadiah and Timothy and the donated items we brought

the MANY donations of soccer balls, shorts, jerseys, bags, socks, and other items, and so thankful for those who gave these items and financially for the tournament to make it all happen.

In the afternoon, Kaylee was invited to join the 4^th grade class in planting two beds of seeds in the garden.  She presented ten packs of seeds to the class, and they decided to plant corn, peas, and rainbow carrots.  It’s been amazing for our children to see the joy in the simple things of life and   Cameron can be found wherever there is a soccer or volleyball game, Kaylee can be found teaching gymnastics to the children at the children’s home, and Gracie is always surrounded by doting children as they want so badly to hold and touch her.  We relish in these moments.  Feeling blessed beyond measure.

Pumping up 50 donated balls!

Over 50 athletic shorts donated from our West Linn friends for the street children!

Everything needed for the coach's clinic and soccer games!

Before inflated...50 donated balls from Willamette United Soccer Club, family and friends!!

Over 50 jerseys donated from Tursi's Soccer store in Portland!  Amazing!!