"I want you to be reconciled to God; I make no attempt to try to get God to be reconciled to you, that is, be defined by your desires, for God is God, and you are not....We have freedom, therefore, and joy, peace, and the boundless fruit of the Spirit.  Today put aside your goal to impress people with your clothes, money, accent, or talents.  Today put aside the people-pleasing poison in the water that ruins it all, and in your heart set aside Jesus as Lord.  Be a servant of Christ and find in Jesus that in his service is perfect freedom." (Josh Moody, No Other Gospel, p. 53)

I started reading No Other Gospel this week, and love it.  It's 31 chapters that dig deep into Galatians.  Nothing I've read so far is new or revolutionary, but I've been stuck on the very simple idea that God is God.  That seems rather obvious and simple, and it is.  But I don't live like that's true all too often.  God is God, I am not, and the gospel is His gospel.  There is no other gospel.  

Thinking About Books

I have to confess a serious problem. I like reading, but not as much as I like to plan what I'm going to read. I was explaining to my pastor this morning what my issue is: for every book I read, I add at least five to my list of books I'd like to read. So I've decided to try something new. For this upcoming year, I'm posting a blog about five books I am most looking forward to reading this upcoming year.  My hope is that by publishing this, I'll be more mindful of staying disciplined and actually reading what I'd like to...Not just planning to read what I'd like to!  

So in no particular order, here are five books I am most excited to read this upcoming year.  

1.  The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung. 

     This book was a gift for my birthday in October, and I've perused it quite a bit, but have failed to sit down and really read it.  I love DeYoung's point though, and I am challenged by his call to all believers to live lives worthy of their calling.

2.  Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen.  

     This is the oldest book on my list, but equally as relevant if not more relevant than the others.  The Westminster Seminary founder's response to the liberal theological movement in the early 1900s can be incredibly useful and helpful today.

3.  Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis.

  This book comes highly recommend by a few friends who raved about it.  One went so far as to say, "If you read one book this year, it should be this one."  

4.  No Other Gospel by Josh                                     Moody. 

     This one is written by a local author, the teaching pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL.  He preached at my church, Hope Fellowship in Lombard, IL on a passage in Galatians and it was an incredible sermon.  I have been looking forward to reading this book, which dives deeper into Paul's letter to the Galatians, since he preached at Hope Fellowship.

5. A Praying Life by Paul Miller.  

    A few weeks ago, my friend was telling me about what a good book this was, and I had never heard of it before. Sure enough, the next day I saw it posted on Kindle for $1.99 (which it still is!!) so I bought it.  Again, it's a book I do not know all that much about yet, but am looking forward to reading it! 

A Tribute to Those I Love

One of the things I love the most about short term missions is the opportunity to build relationships with people that last.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that a lot of time has been wasted in short term missions when relationships are not built.  Seeking to understand by way of listening versus seeking to be understood goes a long way, and it allows for a much more authentic friendship.  Today's post is about of few of the relationships I am most thankful for.


First, Kevin and Chadrick.

I met these two during my recent trip to Kenya, and I lived at Kevin's home in Nairobi for about three and a half weeks.  There are very few people I have ever met who have the heart for their community the way that Chadrick does.  It seemed like 90% of our conversations were focused on creating opportunities for the young people in the slums of Dandora, Cairobangi, and Gomongo.  Kevin was a blessing beyond blessings.  By the time I showed up at his place, I was about two months into my trip in Kenya and was feeling incredibly drained.  Sitting down to even read my Bible felt like a daunting task, but then I met Kevin.  Oh how refreshing it was to find a young man who was eager to learn more from God's Word and find answers to his questions about Scripture.  The conversations we had late into the night meant more to me than Kevin will probably ever know.  When I talk about my trip to Kenya, the first stories I tell always come from my time in Nairobi, thanks in large part to these two men.

Next, Esther.  

In May 2011, I spent one single week in an orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti.  I had a blast with most of the kids there, but Esther will always stand out to me.  She was different than most of the kids: she wasn't an abandoned street child or a runaway kid; she had two loving parents who were killed in the January 2010 earthquake.  In a matter of minutes, Esther's life transitioned from one of rare blessings to an incredible amount of sadness and questions.  My final night at the orphanage, she sat down next to me and, with tears in her eyes, asked, "Why me?  What did I do to deserve this from God."  Never in my life have I ever felt so confident that my conversation was being led by the Holy Spirit as I was that night.  I forget most I what I said, I just remember each of us sitting there with tear-filled eyes and hearts that truly trusted God.  If I'm correct, Esther should be in the United States by now.  She was in the process of being adopted when I was there.   I pray for her often and trust that God is continuing to teach her more and more about his faithfulness.

Simeon.  This little guy means so much to me.  His story begins long before I knew him.  When I left Haiti after spending a week there, I struggled with a lot of things.  Perhaps the biggest struggle was the way that I let so many kids into my life and then had to say goodbye.  I think without ever saying it, I promised myself that I would never care that much about a child again; it hurt too much to say goodbye and know that I would probably never see them again.  Then, five weeks into my Africa expedition walks (or, more accurately, runs) Simeon. 

 It took me a few days, but ever so slightly I began to notice my walls were coming down.  I think every time he came sprinting barefoot to me across the desert thorns, my heart opened up more and more.  Before I knew it, the highlight of my days were playing with Simeon and sneaking a sucker to him when the other kids weren't looking!  The morning that we moved from his tribe, we awoke to Simeon's school bag hanging on the tree, packed full of "everything he would need to come to America with us."  Leaving him was one of the hardest goodbyes I have ever had, but I'm so thankful for the time we got to spend together.  

June 2010, my first week with Najeyyah.  

Last, but certainly not least, comes Najeyyah.  She is the first of all these relationships.  I met her on my first trip out of the country, when I went to Jamaica in June 2010.  At that time, she was an incredibly shy little girl who was happiest when she had a camera in her hands.  It took me hours to sort through all the photos she took, deleting all the blurry images of dirt and cement.  But during that week, we really got to know one another, and she became the closest thing to a little sister I have ever known.  

June 2011, reunited for the first time.

When I returned to Jamaica the following summer, I could not wait to introduce her to my family and friends who had come with.  But our first three days at the worksite, she never showed up.  I concluded that for whatever reason, it was not in the Lord's plan for my family to get to meet her.  And...as if to say, "Proverbs 16:1, sucker," the next and final morning at the worksite, sure enough Najeyyah showed up! 
Two months ago, I was fortunate enough to go back to Jamaica for the third time.  And this go-around, Naj wasted no time.  As I was working, I heard the voice that I recognized so clearly, as she asked, "Is Jordan here?"  It meant so much to hear her ask that, knowing that I had spent a total of five days were her in two years.  

May 2012, Growing up
before my eyes.

I've been blessed to be able to see her grow up, and it blew my mind this year when I saw how grown-up she is looking.  She is a regular in my prayers, and I cannot wait to see how the Lord moves in her life in the years to come.  

  Sometimes, although not nearly enough, I ask God, "Why me?"  The incredible blessing of these relationships and all the experiences I have had in the last two years are far more than I deserve.  It has been such a fun journey, and I am learning so much.  I believe with all my heart that it is the Lord who has orchestrated each of these experiences and followed through on them all the way.  However, he has chosen countless people to join me along the way and become a part of his ministry.  I am forever indebted to all those who have supported me through these journeys.  From watching me puke milk all over the football field to paying twenty dollars for three burnt cookies, everyone who has joined me has made a difference.  I had some really difficult times in Kenya, but reading everyone's encouraging words on Facebook and knowing of everyone back home who was praying for me was both humbling and motivating.  So for everyone who has contributed to these experiences, I say thank you.  I'll probably never fully realize how much of a difference you have made to me, and to the people I've been blessed to meet.

Telling Iltashawa's Story

the story:

In March 2012, I was living with a Maasai tribe in Kenya, along with my ten teammates from the United States and Canada.  One Sunday, Erika, Rachel, and Katie spent their morning at the local health clinic, where Dr. Leiyian had come from Nairobi to perform eye exams and operations in the locals in the villages.  

Erika, Rachel, and Katie (pictured with Dr. Leiyian) were the first to get the ball rolling,
when they volunteered at a local clinic performing eye exams in Satiman. 

That afternoon, the girls returned home full of excitement, and could not stop talking about what a great time they had helping Dr. Leiyian and the other volunteers.  They introduced us to a young boy, Iltashawa, and his older brother.  Iltashawa had, three years prior, an accident that severed his tear duct just below his eye.  The result was not only an open gash on his face, but also a non-stop tear duct that made it impossible for him to stop crying.  For three years, the young boy was forced to live with the non-stop tear flow from his eye.  

Left: Iltashawa and his brother, a Maasai warrior, visiting our home.  They had taken him to the clinic that morning, hoping that Dr. Leiyian and the other volunteers would be able to help relieve the pain and discomfort in his eye.

Right: An up-close look at Iltashawa's left eye.  You can see the red cut, which severed the tear duct, and the white in his eye, the result of the non-stop tear flow.  

At the same time, halfway across the world, Jackie Martin, founder of jmpPHOTOGRAPHY, was looking for opportunities to make a difference with the profits of her business.  She emailed me once I had returned to Nairobi and mentioned her idea, Missions in May.  She hoped to give a portion of her proceeds from the month of May to benefit the advance of Christian missions in the world.  

Immediately I remembered Iltashawa, who we were unable to help during our time with the tribe.  Erika and Rachel sent me the contact information for Dr. Leiyian, and a plan was in the works!

With the funds donated by jmpPHOTOGRAPHY, Dr. Leiyian made plans and arranged transportation for Iltashawa's surgery in Nairobi.  The surgery was performed successfully in June, and Iltashawa has recovered fully and is now seeing out of a healthy, tear-free eye. 

Left: Iltashawa recovering from the surgery. 

Right: Iltashawa and his older brother hanging out in Nairobi after the operation.

Many thanks are due to many people for the love that was shown to Iltashawa.  Erika, Rachel, and Katie, thanks for your non-stop effort and refusal to be okay with the pain and suffering you witnessed in Kenya.  Without your voices, who knows if this boy would have ever been given a chance.  Dr. Leiyian, thank you for showing compassion and an authentic love for the people of Kenya by your above and beyond efforts to take care of Iltashawa and many others entrusted to your care. jmpPHOTOGRAPHY, thank you for using your resources to be a representation of Christ's love and generosity to a boy you never met, but felt compassion for anyway.  And, gracious Lord, thank you for the incredible blessing that you've granted me since making me yours, allowing me to be an ambassador for your kingdom in the world, and spoiling me with incredible stories like this along the way.

Iltashawa after his operation, a happy boy with a healthy eye! 

-Jordan

The Lighting Rods of Life

It's safe to say that the majority of us would agree that life feels like a storm more often than not. Twenty four hours never seems like enough time to accomplish all that we want in a day, and the stress of trying to do everything often feels overwhelming. Even more than that, every person carries with them something or some things that get in their way of seeing what is really important. For Christians, we tend to have a hard time seeing past our struggles and resting in the finished work of Christ. I like to think of it as a system of lighting rods. In the midst of our storm that is life, we put so much of our focus on specific lighting rods. For example, this could mean that we are caught up in the shame of our sexual pasts. Perhaps we have not forgiven our family members or ourselves for pain that happened years ago. Maybe we're currently struggling with our image and trying to perform our way into being accepted. Regardless of the struggle, we all have them, and we all know what it's like to place the emphasis in our lives on that struggle. Like a lightning rod in the storm, that specific struggle is the focal point; it absorbs us and we are unable to address it healthily. When this happens, we are unable to focus on the true lightning rod--Christ. In the midst of struggles, far to often we hyper-focus on what we're going through, and our focus is taken away from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the redemption we've experienced through his saving grace. What we must recognize is the Christ is the ultimate lighting rod! He is the one, the only one, who absorbs the storms of our lives and allows us to live burden-free, shame-free, and guilt-free. This same analogy applies to the way we do life with non-believers. Are we so focused on the small lightning rods in their lives--the things that scream to us, "NOT A CHRISTIAN," that we fail to point them to the true lightning rod, which is Christ. In the midst of our storms in life, there is only one true way out. Let us not focus so much on the struggles in life that we fail to remind ourselves and others about the one true mediator, who has made a way for eternal peace in our lives.

Brotherly Love in Action

The last blog I posted said something about "loving brotherly in the city of brotherly love," or something to that effect. (I could just go check, but that would require me pressing the back button a few times, which I just don't feel like doing.) Anyway, the point is, I've been thinking quite a lot about how do I love well. Particularly, what does it look like for the church to love well. I am reading Andrew Marin's book right now, Love is an Orientation, which is particularly focused on how Christians can and should love the GLBT community. Personally, I think we have dropped the bomb in this area. If we don't come out and say how wrong it is that people are gay, we usually at least internalize something like, "It's just gross or disgusting that anyone would want to do that." I am ashamed to say that I ABSOLUTELY have been a part of both groups before. I started wondering how many of us (by us I mean Christians who believe the Bible is inerrant and believe that in it's inerrancy says no to same-sex sexual relations) have ever sought to understand the GLBT community's perspective before we seek to explain why they are wrong. I know I have not. I can count at least twenty conversations I have had that enhance my apologetic of why it's wrong or joke about how silly it is to defend GLBT with Scripture. The problem is I've never even used this apologetic because I've never discussed or dialogued with someone who holds a different view than I do on same-sex relations. On one level, I am afraid that I would not know how to discuss and dialogue; I am much more comfortable debating and arguing. I really think that's a pretty bogus stance to take though. I don't think that "selective loving" can function alongside "loving well." Though I certainly have failed the people that mean the most to me, I would not hesistate to say that I have "loved them well" in general. But I definitely could not say the same thing about my GLBT friends and acquaintances, who do not see eye to eye with me on all things. I think it's time that I, and the Church as a whole, begins an attempt to love well. For me, this is going to require a step or two into the unknown, stepping outside of the Christian subculture and into a world full of people who are desperate for a Savior and fed up with Christians who carry the "Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it" mentality. Loving well may not be easy or comfortable, but it is 100% necessary. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Loving Brotherly in the City of Brotherly Love

I think it's appropriate to type out a bit of a life update; not so much because my life is so exciting that I need to share. Moreso as an effort to keep myself sane amidst the wildness that has been the last 8 months of my life. I'm currently stationed in Phiadelphia, PA, doing an internship with Evangelicals for Social Action and enjoying myself bigtime. The Lord has been so gracious to bless me over and over again with great friends and good circumstances; there isn't too much to complain about. I'm here for five weeks, which doesn't seem like much time, but five weeks is the most time I've spent in the same place since January before I left for Uganda. Speaking of Uganda, I've done some more reflecting on that trip to Africa lately, realizing how much I really miss some of the people and the settings I was in. Some days I would love to hop on a plane and drink a cup of tea in the slums with my friends. Anyway, after I flew in from Kenya I spent a week in Jamaica, which was AWESOME. It's wild, but I really did have to leave the country again just to be with the people I wanted to see most. Having both of my parents there along with my four three best friends from home was an awesome, awesome way to spend the week. Ten days after Jamaica I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale, FL for Band of Brothers in Christ. Speaking of being blessed, BoBiC was such a great time for me. Seventeen days with 6 men who's hearts were set on seeking the Lord and growing in fellowship with one another. Still tough to put into words how valuable that time was for me. And now I find myself in a coffee shop in a Philly suburb, reading a book and doing some writing, trying to be thankful for all I've gotten to experience in these last 7 months. I am very, very, very excited to be back in Elmhurst in August and actually have a home...I'm not sure how nomads did it. But nonetheless, I have really had a great time trying to be present-minded with the circumstances I am in. Just a few minutes ago I was reading through Psalm 119, which I why I wanted to type this blog up to begin with. I think about how faithful and how good the Lord has been to me in this crazy stretch of my life. I've gotten to know Him more as a Father than ever before. Isaiah 33:6, which says "he will be the stability of myh times," spoke to me in ways I never understood before. And today, when I read Ps. 119:50, which says, "this is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life," I was kind of blown away. I am, like most Christians, a big fan of God's promises to us. Reading about how God promised the gospel before-hand through the prophets (Romans 1) and living on this side of that Gospel, it causes me to trust him so deeply for the assurance that his promises about me will be fulfilled. When I read about how faithful God was to bring his promises to fruition, I trust more and more fully that he will be faithful in his promises to me. So when I read that "his promise gives me life," I understand what He's telling me. Psalm 16:11 says in God's presence is the fullness of joy, and at his right hand are pleasures forever more. How depraved am I that I am constantly looking at things here in the world to give me joy and pleasure. He has already told me that the fullness of joy only comes in His presence, but he has also promised me that I'll be in his presence. When I read 1 Peter 1, and see that I have been promised an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, being kept in heaven for me, I trust that. I can't wait to fully receive that inheritance and truly live in the fullness of joy! How glorious will that be!!

Let Love be Genuine

One of my favorite things about doing ministry overseas is the ability to see people respond to the gospel in light of their personal stories that just wouldn't happen in Auburn, Illinois.  Does that make sense?  Sure, every time someone places their faith in Christ and is justified by his work on the cross it's a remarkable story--regardless of the path it took to get there.  But there is just something that makes me shake my head in awe of God's work in some of the stories I have heard here in Africa.

Here are a couple examples:
There is a man I met a few weeks ago at Pastor Maurice's house; his name--as far as I can tell--is Safari.  His English is, to be honest, absolutely awful, but I communicated with him a bit through a friend in Swahili.  I learned some of his story--He came to Kenya from the Congo a few years ago--as a war refugee.  The man, a grown man, literally had to run away from his own home or else he would have been killed.  Hearing that story and trying to imagine what that must have been like was pretty incredible. It puts a very different spin on things when I go to church with him on Sunday and see him worship the Lord.  Although I can't understand the Swahili songs as he sings them, it's a beautiful picture of him worshipping the Lord--my Lord, and his Lord, his rock, his refuge, his stronghold.

Pastor Maurice is also an incredible story.  He is a slightly overweight, very lovable pastor who speaks an incredible amount of English.  The man is one of the few people who has been pastoral with me in these last few months, and I absolutely appreciate that.  I never would have guessed he was raised in a very remote village in Kenya where English was never spoken.  He told me the following about growing up:

"When I was little, we used to be soooo hungry all the time.  For most of the year, our family was so poor that we only got to eat one meal per day.  We would go through the whole day very hungry, anxiously awaiting nighttime when we would finally get to eat.  And then, just as we were getting ready to eat the meal my mom cooked, she would see somebody walking by our home and call out to them, "Why are you walking at night?  Come join us for food."  Almost everyday my mom would invite neighbors and passerby's over for dinner...while we kids were sooooo hungry.  That's just the kind of mom she was, she always took care of people.  That's just the kind of people we are."

Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor.  
--Romans 12:9-10

Assurance of Things Hoped For

Life "on my own" here in Nairobi has so many perks and also some struggles that accompany it.  I'm realize how independent of a person I am...I cherish days like today, when I come into town and spend time at Java House drinking a cup of coffee with my Bible, my iPod, and my Kindle reading app.  I'm learning a whole lot about discipline and spending time with my Father.  It's incredible the difference I notice when I neglect time in prayer and in the Word.  During my time in Eldoret, I was pretty busy and chose not to spend much time with the Lord.  Now I'm not trying to sound like a harsh legalist, but it really makes a difference in my days when I make time in the Word and in prayer a priority.

I want to share briefly about what happened a few days ago, a be pretty upfront with you all.  Hanging out with my friends in Nairobi, we were all sitting around on couches just hanging out, when one friend got a text message and immediately went outside.  About fifteen minutes later, through tears, I learned that one of his best friends had died at the age of 22.  He had known her since she was born, and was really struggling with why it happened to her.  Later that afternoon a good conversation transpired between he and I, discussing what he loved about her, what made her special, and things like that.  Then he asked the question, "Where do people go when they die."  Now, he is a follower of Christ, and I feel the question was more rhetorical than anything, but I answered nonetheless.  Like any good evangelical Christian, I gave him the answer I know to be true.  We discussed briefly about salvation and how Christ is both an all-sufficient sacrifice and also the only sacrifice capable of giving salvation.  We continued talking, and five minutes later the conversation was over.

When I went to my room later that night, I was pretty deep in thought.  As I prayed, I kept thinking through that conversation.  Over and over and I said, "God I know you're real.  I absolutely know"...But I couldn't help asking the question...

"When this is all said and done, God, when this life of adventures and ups and downs and everything is all finished, and my eyes close for the final time, will You be there?  Will you really be there?"

He answered me by leading me to 1 Peter 1, where he tells all of us believers about our inheritance.  He says "he (God) has caused us to be born again to a living hope...to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."  This is real stuff--real, emotional stuff.  I was blown away once again, that that inheritance in heaven is mine, being kept especially for me.

I have been washed, and now I wait, full of hope and expectations, for the promise that in God's presence I'll finally be in the fullness of joy, experiencing pleasures forevermore...

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  --Hebrews 11:1

Reflecting on Eldoret

There are literally a billion things to write about and I have my mind going 200 directions, so I'll try to keep this post organized.  I returned to Nairobi on Thursday night after spending about a week and a half in Eldoret and a small town called Iten, which is really close to Eldoret.
While in Eldoret, I stayed at the nyumbani (kiswahili for home) of my friends Kevin and Felix.  Leaving those two was the first time it hit me--I'm really going to struggle when I return to the States.  I realized and reflected on how much I love it here in Kenya and how many authentic friendships I've made.

In Eldoret (Eldy) I helped out with an organization called A-STEP, which stands for Africa Sports and Talents Empowerment Program.  Essentially it's a group of young adults who have started an organization to utilize the talents of young people and use them to empower themselves and their communities.  These young people I worked with have a vision for their homes, communities, and their country.  It was remarkable to see.  In 2007, after the election, violence broke out throughout Kenya, but especially in Eldoret.  Many families are still recovering after their homes were burned and their loved ones were killed.  A-STEP unites young adults from different tribes (who were fighting against each other) and they play in the same football (soccer) league together.  Kids who have been taught not to hang around the kids from other tribes are now playing together.  It's a really cool thing to be a part of.

Perhaps the most share-worthy story from my time in Eldy is that of Timothy, the man who founded A-STEP.  He spent the early part of his life growing up in the slums of Nairobi, not far from where I type this.  He was raised by his mother, and spent a lot of his time in the slum living near the largest trash dump in Nairobi, where he sifted through trash each day to find food to eat.  When I heard this it really shocked me--just one week before I rode a motorcycle past that very trash dump and watched speechlessly as many people searched for food and other things of value.  Meeting Timothy, I could immediately put a face and a story with the heartbreak I felt driving past that trash dump.
But Timothy's story continued--in 2007, he became a victim of the post-election violence that broke out in Eldoret.  Because of the dangers around, most of his neighbors left their homes for a safer place, but Timothy was taking care of his sick mother.  They were trapped in their house as their next-door neighbors house burned down, but Timothy refused to leave his mom alone.  Unfortunately, his mother ran out of medication and there was no way of getting it to her because of the violence outside, so Timothy lost his mother in 2007.

Given his story, it's no surprise that Timothy has poured his heart into A-STEP.  He is a product of youth empowerment, and his own life has been affected by tribal wars in Kenya.  United youths from various tribes and empowering them through sports to support their communities is a passion of Timothy's, and it was an incredible experience to be a part of.

Olympians???

As I said in my last post, I made it to Eldoret on Tuesday, and I have really, really enjoyed my time here.  It's been such an incredible experience in so many ways...I'm going to try to keep this post brief, so let me jump right into what I've been doing:

Since I've been in Eldoret, I've been working with an organization called A-Step, which stands for African Sports and Talents Empowerment Program.  It is an organization partially funded by USAID (hooray, thanks taxpayers!).  But seriously, it's worth it; it's a great opportunity here.  A-Step primary function is to mobilize youth from Eldoret and the surrounding areas and to empower them to live life with a purpose and hope for a better tomorrow for Kenya.  Essentially their strategy is to locate kids from villages who are leaders, they provide them with a football (soccer ball), and tell them to create their own teams from the village.  From there, teams are created from all over and they come together to play in a league.  Thus, young adults who were, not long ago, part of tribes that were killing each other in the post-election violence of 2007, are now playing football with one another.  It's hard to describe to Americans how much value this has: to give young people the opportunity to play football in nice uniforms and for a purpose is not something I can compare for you.  From there, the organization uses the program to instill values, morals, and ethics.  They send representatives into the villages to talk about drugs and alcohol and alternatives to the lifestyle that so many men before them have chosen.  They also do incredible work with victims of HIV/AIDS, teaching them about the options they have for medical treatment and giving them hope that they never knew existed.  Working with A-Step and seeing their commitment to this community has been really rewarding.

Also, the thing that first attracted me to Eldoret was the running community.  Anyway who likes the Olympics knows that Kenya is first-class as far as distance running goes, and Eldoret is the home of the champions.  I got a firsthand look at world-class athlete life this week, and much of my time was spent speechless (yes, it is possible!)  On Thursday morning I jogged down to the track (when I say track I mean a dirt oval) at the city university.  It's the only track in the area right now, so all the athletes do their training there.  My friend Hussein, who happens to be a world-class marathoner (2:10!) invited me to join them.  Let me first say, "If you want to be humbled, run with Kenyans.  If you want to be humiliated, run with Kenyans when you're out of shape."  Basically, I did the warmup and cool down and spent the rest of the workout in awe of what I was seeing.  The track was filled for the morning workout, with about 100 people there.  Hussein was in a group of about 25 fast athletes, doing 10 kilometers worth of speedwork (10 400s and 10 600s).  They ran faster than my race pace but made it look effortless.  Also training that day was Florence Kiplagat (look her up) and many other Olympic hopefuls.  I was in my happy place.

After the workout, I went to lunch with Chris Cheboiboch, a retired Kenyan runner.  He's best known for his runner up finishes at the Boston Marathon and the NYC Marathon.  After all of his running success, he moved back to Eldoret and opened a school.  The place was astonishing.  It was so cool to hear this man's heart and see how invested he was in the youth of this place.  I've seen a lot of brokenness and hopelessness in these last few weeks, but people like Chris and organizations like A-Step remind me to look to the cross, especially today, on Good Friday, and remember that the founder and the perfecter of the hope that's within me is alive and in control of the good things and the bad.

Okay, I've failed at keeping this one short, my apologies.  So much good stuff though...

Living in Eldoret Now

Yesterday I came to a realization about why I have such a problem journaling and blogging, updating everyone back home on what's going on here.  I know it's important and something I would like to do more often, but it's so tough.  I think I've figured out why:  Everything, even the "normal, everyday things," are worthy of a blogpost or a journal entry.  For example, yesterday I left Nairobi and headed to Eldoret, which is the city in Kenya where almost all of the professional runners live and train.  I cannot even begin to explain the experience of traveling this far in a matatu alone.  I'm sandwiched in the front seat of the matatu (which is an African-style taxi, seating 14 passengers) between the driver and a large man next to me named Muhammed.  I quickly learned my friend Muhammed thinks it appropriate to scream as loud as he can during every phone call, so for six hours I had him next to me screaming in my ear.  Accompany that with a typical African radio station blaring way too loud and the two little girls behind me crying the whole way, and you begin to understand my situation.  The radio....three songs, played back-to-back-to-back: Enrique Iglesias' "Hero", Martina McBride's "In My Daughter's Eyes," and then finished up with "Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do."  Then, twenty minutes later the same station throws in a couple of Backstreet Boys songs...You can't possibly find entertainment like that in the States...Also, as you might expect, African comfortable temperatures are different than they are for me.  So, as we're cruising down the road in our stuffed matatu with all the windows rolled up, everyone is happy while I'm sitting there sweating bullets.  When the matatu stopped I got out and my shirt was drenched in sweat.  Everyone must have been looking at me like a freak, especially when I sat down and ordered a hot cup of chai!

Anyway, that's a brief summer of six hours of my day yesterday.  Today I'm working with an organization called A-Step which uses sports (soccer, volleyball, running) to mobilize youth and give them opportunities for a better life.  I'll give a longer update on the details here very soon.

-Jordan

A Necessary Update from Africa

Hello everyone,

I have decided to create a blog as an effort to keeping everyone up to date as much as possible on what's been happening in my life.  There has been some big changes in the last few weeks and I apologize if you're reading this and have had no idea about what's been going on.

Let me begin with the fact that life is absolutely great right now.  My Father, in His sovereignty, has closed some doors and opened many more, and I am so content with where he Has me.  With that said, I should fill you in on the reasons why I have created this blog...

Our team spent the majority of the month of March in the Kenyan "bush," literally.  It could not possibly have been more remote than it was, falling asleep to the sound of lions roaring in the distance underneath a planetarium-like sky.  On multiple occasions we saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, and I even swam in the same river as four hippos.  It was incredible to live with the Maasai people and spend three weeks sharing and learning from them.  During that time, however, I spent a lot of time praying and thinking about what was next.  My thoughts, my heart, my everything was stuck here in Kenya and I didn't want to leave (our team was scheduled to depart to Tanzania on March 28).  For a little of two weeks, I spent a lot of time praying through and discussing with my team leader some of the reasons why I wanted to leave the team and stay behind in Kenya...To spare you the details, after lots of discussions, lunch meetings, etc, I received a blessing from leadership within the AIM organization to leave the team and stay behind in Kenya.

First, I must offer an apology to my supporters back home who I did not contact about this.  I would have liked to have had the blessing of each one of you who supported me on this trip, either financially or prayerfully.  However, the time window was about 3 days that I had to speak with everyone I could and make my decision.  Be comforted by the fact that I spoke with my parents, my two team leaders, my mentor, pastor, and discipler from Elmhurst, and I received a blessing from all of them after explaining my reasoning.

Second, I should fill you in on what I'm doing in the next 5 weeks or so.  I have been living these last couple days with my Kenyan friends Sam and Kevin.  They are both friends with Amelia Cheshire, who attends Delta Church in Springfield, where I am a member.  Amelia is a part-time missionary to Kenya and she hooked me up with them.  They have been incredible at helping me and showing me around, and I look forward to our friendship blossoming in the next month.  On Tuesday I'm leaving Nairobi for Eldoret, which is a famous city where all the Kenyan runners live.  I am hoping to live there for at least a week and build a few friendships through the Kenyan running community.  On April 26th I will head to Mombasa, Kenya with Pastor Maurice, a local pastor I met last month.  He is hosting a four-day conference for pastors in the area; they are expected around 100 pastors to be present.  He has asked me to speak at the conference, so I'm looking forward to that.  A few other contacts and opportunities are being finalized, and I will update you via this blog as things become official.

To my supporters, I again apologize for making this decision to stay in Kenya without contacting you.  However, I trust that given the opportunity to hear my heart about the reasons I wanted to stay, you would have been supportive.  I will be using this blog in the coming weeks to keep you up to date as I travel through Kenya...solo!

Jordan