I Stopped Posting Every Day

It was becoming too tedious with slow wifi, but I do have some good articles in me to remember my time in Africa.

Here I will leave pics of the 5 continents I have worked camps on.

Africa (Ethiopia)

South America (Colombia)

North America (USA/Arizona)

Europe (Macedonia)

Asia (Indonesia)

What Day is it Anyway?

We've been together so long and have been busy so much and have had our sleep schedules so messed up, I really have to think hard what day it is.

We went to Eastleigh today.

Eastleigh is a poorer area where many, many Somali refugess have relocated and we ran a camp at a Christian center that has been continuously harassed by its neighbors.

As we rode in, you could tell we were in a different part of Nairobi, but I would not have wanted to be anywhere else.

The kids, as usual, are hungry to learn and to please.

The coaches, as usual, are eager to learn and connect.

Coach Sonny and his helpers are amazing. When you say "someone ought to do something about that" and you refused to get up and move, be assured that there are people in Nairobi doing just that.

Those men and women in Eastleigh, Omaruju, and Eastleigh are on the front lines of severe spiritual warfare and are making a difference.

They may not change their neighborhood, or their city, but they are changing and affecting many, many children who very well could grow up some day to change that place.

Why?

Because the kid above has a shirt on that says it all!

Basketball Camp....Continent 5

Today, I was able to work in a basketball camp on  my fifth continent on the continent of Africa.

It is amazing to see on each of the continents how little kids love to be coached, they have enthusiasm and enjoy the game of basketball.

Even in the USA, little ones (before they watch too much NBA and SportsCenter, they long for and love basketball camps.

The joy of the game of basketball is universal, at least in the USA, South America, Asia, Europe and Africa and at least in the places I have worked.

So many things the same, yet so many differences.

On a side note...I really am missing my favorite people on Earth: my wife and kids.

Day 8: Appreciate What You've Got

 

 

My oh my.

 

If you don't go through what we did today and it doesn't affect you, you probably have some real problems.

 

We visited Kibara which is the largest slum in Africa and visited Soweto Academy, a school started there to help save as many children as possible.

 

We played games with these kids and they were so happy.

 

One of the kids said they seem so happy with what they have do not care about what they don't have, and we are too busy worrying about what we don't have.

 

It's true.

 

We are called to care for the least of these and that is everyone.

 

This visit today, hopefully, motivates these people to continue doing good works. I know I need to be reminded from time to time.

 

After spending time with them, we headed to our game where we played and won a tough game against Strathmore University and some of their pro players.

 

We won and the women played at the same time also pulled out a victory.

 

After, we were able to share and spend time with the players which is the best part of the day, besides being around those little kids.

 

 

 

We started a busy week well today...let's roll on to the next thing!

 



Security Here, Security There, Security Everywhere

We started the day off by attending church worship. It was amazing and you got to see an authentic worship, but something stood out as we entered the church area.

First, there was a gate to get into the church parking lot and security was at the gate. They checked your car and then you moved on to the parking lot.

Then right as you entered the church, security took a wand over you to make sure you weren't bringing anything harmful into the church.

Then we had regular church worship.

Later, we went to a couple of malls to pick up supplies and you had the same situation as well as at all the hotels.

Security at the gate checking your car and security at the entrance running a wand over you.

It made me wonder when will this happen to the United States?

I don't think it is a matter of if it will happen or not, but when....once we start to have consistent terrorist attacks or even the threat of them, I can see it happening.

Tomorrow, we head to Kibara, the largest slum in Africa...I'm sure I will have more to say then because we had our pre visit meeting tonight and was overwhelmed by what the adults are doing in Soweto Academy to help the situation there.

We Made It

Well, after 25 hours of traveling, we made it to Nairobi, Kenya.

We have a busy schedule and wifi works only in the lounge, so I will do my best to keep up, but traveling the world really changes or reinforces how you see the world.

People of different colors, religions, and ethnic groups all just want the same things...to get where they're going.

It's all the other stuff that gets in the way.

Day 4: Prison, Rest, and Preparation

Today, we got up and did some of the same things, but today was game day.

Many of our players had never been to a correctional facility before, but today they got their first taste.

We scrimmaged a team from Warren Correctional in Lebanon, OH...the team were prisoners, the fans were prisoners, the clock keeper and the officials were prisoners.

They had their hands full and we prevailed 97-92, but it wasn't easy.

After the game, many of the guys stayed around and talked to people serving time there and what they found are people who are so thankful that someone would come in and spend time with them.

I know they've done some bad things and made bad decisions and caused a lot of pain, but they deserve respect as human beings.

We were able to spend the evening on Lake Shawnee and eat our last meal before flying out for Nairobi.

I have no idea what wifi will be like over there and I won't get a chance to tweet or blog until probably Saturday at the earliest.

This group of guys and coaching staff have grown considerably close in a short amount of time, let's hope we can do some good.