February 8th, 2010
Our first two days had a singular purpose – rest and restore from the jetlag. We got off the plane and Utugi’s daughter Faith met us. All of our luggage arrived in good shape and we got through customs and baggage claim in short order. At first, I felt that the place was hot – but it was only the stuffiness of the terminal. Once we got outside, it was a balmy Seattle summertime evening –very comfortable for us. Faith drove us onto the highways where I began to feel “wow, I am certainly in a different land”. The highways, at night, are a bit unnerving. There are no lines on the road, and the cars and trucks stay to the left (ala English highways), but weave in and out of the gaps and make their own lanes. We eventually slowed to an inexplicable stopping point – no signs, no turn off, just a break in the concrete - at 60 mph.
We drove down a RIDICULOUSLY bumpy rode, which seemed about 10 miles (it’s actually maybe 2) crawling through ruts, bumps, ravines, chasms, lakes, gulfs, quarries to finally arrive at Utugi’s house. I learned later that they travel this multiple times a day. Brett, welcome to Africa my friend; Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.
The house is a lovely, well built house in a decent section of Nairobi. The family was waiting up for us to arrive so that we could have dinner together. We were a bit shot, but they welcomed us warmly with the cheerful cheek to cheek Kenyan greeting (which I have grown to love). We had a traditional Kenyan dinner of beef, beans, and cabbage. Then off to bed it was for us, complete with my first experience in a standard mosquito net bedroom. Ahhh, sleep at last…
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Africa 2010 - Oh Yeah - The Superbowl
February 7th, 2010
And where in the heck are we going to watch the Saints vs the Colts in Nairobi, Kenya? Will the lions and zebras share the telly with us? It looks like we simply are two Yanks destined to go without this year. Not to mention that our internal clocks are busted, or smooshed, or something. With a flight halfway around the world LITERALLY, a body has to figure out some method to make sense of it all. If I start to see flying nerf balls and purple kangaroos named Cracker, I will know that it is time to sleep.
And where in the heck are we going to watch the Saints vs the Colts in Nairobi, Kenya? Will the lions and zebras share the telly with us? It looks like we simply are two Yanks destined to go without this year. Not to mention that our internal clocks are busted, or smooshed, or something. With a flight halfway around the world LITERALLY, a body has to figure out some method to make sense of it all. If I start to see flying nerf balls and purple kangaroos named Cracker, I will know that it is time to sleep.
Africa 2010 - Across the Wasteland
February 7th, 2010
We have been in the plane for 4 hours now, from London to Nairobi. It is comfortable, lots of legroom, good food with the classic British Airways tending to details. A half-full cup of cranberry juice sits by my side as I type. Through a speckled window over my shoulder, I have been snapping photos of the journey south. My first glimpse of something other than clouds showed the French Alps, rising to and through the low, spotty cloud cover. I quickly grabbed my point and shoot and snapped a record. The in flight trip map showed Marseille and Montpellier. After a bit over the water, I saw land to the left, curling South. It was Cagliari and Carbonara, in the Mediterranean Sea. Then another look showed the African coast. We were in Africa! We flew almost directly over Tunis and Tripoli, then curled Southeast into the desert. The landscape continued to get dryer and brown. We flew through and above a hazy sand storm, definitely not clouds or mists – it was too fine and that light tan color of the desert. Another look later showed that we had entered the Saharan desert. Sand dunes, snaking North to South created valleys and swirling refuges, but the look and feel was incredibly foreign and inhospitable. It truly appears as if no life could even be sustained in the wastelands of the desert below. About this time we have dropped South of Cairo and the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. It is an ancient and barren land. There is not a green, blue, or white thing in site – it is sea upon sea of sand. And I fly at 37,000 feet in a hollow metal people-mover, sipping my cranberry juice. In Libya 37,000 feet below me are the people of the desert travelling to the only water for a hundred miles.
I have an enormous sense of awe right now, in the complexity and vastness of it all. How many caravans have traversed that wasteland? Does anyone on this hollow metal tube give much thought to the scraping survival down there? Is unchecked power of enslavement checked with righteous application of grace, dignity, and capable love?
We have been in the plane for 4 hours now, from London to Nairobi. It is comfortable, lots of legroom, good food with the classic British Airways tending to details. A half-full cup of cranberry juice sits by my side as I type. Through a speckled window over my shoulder, I have been snapping photos of the journey south. My first glimpse of something other than clouds showed the French Alps, rising to and through the low, spotty cloud cover. I quickly grabbed my point and shoot and snapped a record. The in flight trip map showed Marseille and Montpellier. After a bit over the water, I saw land to the left, curling South. It was Cagliari and Carbonara, in the Mediterranean Sea. Then another look showed the African coast. We were in Africa! We flew almost directly over Tunis and Tripoli, then curled Southeast into the desert. The landscape continued to get dryer and brown. We flew through and above a hazy sand storm, definitely not clouds or mists – it was too fine and that light tan color of the desert. Another look later showed that we had entered the Saharan desert. Sand dunes, snaking North to South created valleys and swirling refuges, but the look and feel was incredibly foreign and inhospitable. It truly appears as if no life could even be sustained in the wastelands of the desert below. About this time we have dropped South of Cairo and the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. It is an ancient and barren land. There is not a green, blue, or white thing in site – it is sea upon sea of sand. And I fly at 37,000 feet in a hollow metal people-mover, sipping my cranberry juice. In Libya 37,000 feet below me are the people of the desert travelling to the only water for a hundred miles.
I have an enormous sense of awe right now, in the complexity and vastness of it all. How many caravans have traversed that wasteland? Does anyone on this hollow metal tube give much thought to the scraping survival down there? Is unchecked power of enslavement checked with righteous application of grace, dignity, and capable love?
Africa 2010 - Matrix Moments at Heathrow
February 7th, 2010
There is certainly desires in my heart for this trip. I discern that there is a period of me simply releasing a vice-like grip on my future – especially with regard to driving our business. There is almost nothing I can do to add to this equation from Africa – Ignition Garage has been kept in competent hands with Mike and is indeed experiencing a level of growth that we both believe would not have happened had either of us not answered this call. Mike is acting as our mission control – in the sending, organization, and coordination of efforts stateside. Kathy has also in all matters practical. We go with a full compliment of coverage into a known and unknown land.
Malcolm and I walked through several terminals at Heathrow this morning (at a ridiculously early hour, 4 am I think), experiencing multiple Matrix-ey moments. We expected the trainkeeper to hop out of a train at any time, as we walked down deserted concrete tubes. It was a surreal experience. However in our walking and talking, we covered much ground. We do tend to go to the deeper places when given time, context, and free reign. Much of the conversation is “Why are we here?” “Why are YOU here?” “What is the LORD doing in this?”. They are thoughts worthy of the time we spend on them.
A few takeaways from that walk:
Why are YOU here? (Brett)
The Lord has called and I am in the answer. He is unveiling the ultimate why in His time.
However, a few answers are:
To cover Malcolm’s back during, before, and after the teaching. The Lord had shared this with me even prior to a discussion a month ago when we got together to discuss the trip. The important message here is that no man can do this alone, and if the prayerful listening is going to be done well, it will require Malcolm to know that his 6 is covered. We have experienced several instances already of interference – the spiritual kind where the radar is pinging and we are stopped in our tracks.
A calling to a new level of Leadership. The Lord is unfolding what this is as I walk. Here, in this place, there is ought else that I can choose save an intentional surrender to His directing. My best efforts in teaching spiritual & business teachings to beautiful people of Kenya are misguided at best. I am a man with skills and relationships that has value to transfer, but it must be in a proper placement, where I understand the right relationship in the veil between Heaven and Earth. This point is for me, though, is to understand more directly His voice and His intentions for me, my family, my business and the vision I might so carefully craft. He must be Lord of All, or He is Lord of nothing. Leading with authority is the easy part Рleading when the vision communiqu̩ has been received, and no sooner, is the harder.
To receive a proper understanding of Stewardship. A significant part of this trip is about the Biblical teaching of stewardship, where the power of the application of gifts and resources, transforms nations. The common (and wrong) rules dictate that Power Rules and Poverty is Forever and that To Receive it to Consume. Each of these is not of God, nor is it effective in transformation. The Lord is calling us to dwell in the uncomfortable causality of the world’s rules, to understand the enslavement it creates, and how to teach and own the laws of God that frees the shackles of men.
To find Joy. I prayed to the Lord that He would lead me to a place of peace, rest, and joy in my spirit again. I had become aware a few months ago that since October of 2008, I have held onto a desperate and clinched hand. I have walked with this clenching unknowingly, but my body and spirit has paid the inevitable toll. The New Testament advises us to “Be anxious about nothing, but in all things, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God”. And “This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds?”
Linna and the family are my amazing joy while this Husband/Dad/CEO works it all out. And I battle (like I am sure most husband/dads/workers) the balance where I need to keep the priority reserve energy bank high - that I don't spend all of my energy or devotion prior to getting home. Linna certainly is my recharger. And playing with my kids - ah, that feeds my spirit. Being away from them in this is like a fast from something amazing, I don't like it much, but the Father who ultimately has our destiny in His hands is able to use it in transformational ways.
Music: Sara Tevales (Portuguese). Sang me across the Sahara and into the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in my life.
There is certainly desires in my heart for this trip. I discern that there is a period of me simply releasing a vice-like grip on my future – especially with regard to driving our business. There is almost nothing I can do to add to this equation from Africa – Ignition Garage has been kept in competent hands with Mike and is indeed experiencing a level of growth that we both believe would not have happened had either of us not answered this call. Mike is acting as our mission control – in the sending, organization, and coordination of efforts stateside. Kathy has also in all matters practical. We go with a full compliment of coverage into a known and unknown land.
Malcolm and I walked through several terminals at Heathrow this morning (at a ridiculously early hour, 4 am I think), experiencing multiple Matrix-ey moments. We expected the trainkeeper to hop out of a train at any time, as we walked down deserted concrete tubes. It was a surreal experience. However in our walking and talking, we covered much ground. We do tend to go to the deeper places when given time, context, and free reign. Much of the conversation is “Why are we here?” “Why are YOU here?” “What is the LORD doing in this?”. They are thoughts worthy of the time we spend on them.
A few takeaways from that walk:
Why are YOU here? (Brett)
The Lord has called and I am in the answer. He is unveiling the ultimate why in His time.
However, a few answers are:
To cover Malcolm’s back during, before, and after the teaching. The Lord had shared this with me even prior to a discussion a month ago when we got together to discuss the trip. The important message here is that no man can do this alone, and if the prayerful listening is going to be done well, it will require Malcolm to know that his 6 is covered. We have experienced several instances already of interference – the spiritual kind where the radar is pinging and we are stopped in our tracks.
A calling to a new level of Leadership. The Lord is unfolding what this is as I walk. Here, in this place, there is ought else that I can choose save an intentional surrender to His directing. My best efforts in teaching spiritual & business teachings to beautiful people of Kenya are misguided at best. I am a man with skills and relationships that has value to transfer, but it must be in a proper placement, where I understand the right relationship in the veil between Heaven and Earth. This point is for me, though, is to understand more directly His voice and His intentions for me, my family, my business and the vision I might so carefully craft. He must be Lord of All, or He is Lord of nothing. Leading with authority is the easy part Рleading when the vision communiqu̩ has been received, and no sooner, is the harder.
To receive a proper understanding of Stewardship. A significant part of this trip is about the Biblical teaching of stewardship, where the power of the application of gifts and resources, transforms nations. The common (and wrong) rules dictate that Power Rules and Poverty is Forever and that To Receive it to Consume. Each of these is not of God, nor is it effective in transformation. The Lord is calling us to dwell in the uncomfortable causality of the world’s rules, to understand the enslavement it creates, and how to teach and own the laws of God that frees the shackles of men.
To find Joy. I prayed to the Lord that He would lead me to a place of peace, rest, and joy in my spirit again. I had become aware a few months ago that since October of 2008, I have held onto a desperate and clinched hand. I have walked with this clenching unknowingly, but my body and spirit has paid the inevitable toll. The New Testament advises us to “Be anxious about nothing, but in all things, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God”. And “This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds?”
Linna and the family are my amazing joy while this Husband/Dad/CEO works it all out. And I battle (like I am sure most husband/dads/workers) the balance where I need to keep the priority reserve energy bank high - that I don't spend all of my energy or devotion prior to getting home. Linna certainly is my recharger. And playing with my kids - ah, that feeds my spirit. Being away from them in this is like a fast from something amazing, I don't like it much, but the Father who ultimately has our destiny in His hands is able to use it in transformational ways.
Music: Sara Tevales (Portuguese). Sang me across the Sahara and into the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in my life.
Africa 2010 - Kayra Sillo
February 7th, 2010
Kayra Sillo is an achingly beautiful song from an album by the Kenyan Boys Choir that I am listening to while on the plane from London. I don’t know what the singers are saying, nor do I know even what they look like. The tune speaks to me nevertheless. The harmonies are controlled, weaving, and poignant. I have been blessed by this album as we travel to Kenya – to a people I have never met on a continent I have never seen.
After a brief lookup, I learned what I was blessed by: Kayra Sillo means "Way of Peace". After a tumultuous and difficult few years, a way of peace would be more than welcome. My suspicion is that this way of peace will not be through the absence of conflict, but probably through the presence of Spirit brought on by the Living God.
Kayra Sillo is an achingly beautiful song from an album by the Kenyan Boys Choir that I am listening to while on the plane from London. I don’t know what the singers are saying, nor do I know even what they look like. The tune speaks to me nevertheless. The harmonies are controlled, weaving, and poignant. I have been blessed by this album as we travel to Kenya – to a people I have never met on a continent I have never seen.
After a brief lookup, I learned what I was blessed by: Kayra Sillo means "Way of Peace". After a tumultuous and difficult few years, a way of peace would be more than welcome. My suspicion is that this way of peace will not be through the absence of conflict, but probably through the presence of Spirit brought on by the Living God.
Africa 2010 - A Shining and Beautiful Thing
February 6th, 2010
“The heart has its reasons, but reason knows nothing of the heart.” B. Pascal
Almost everything in my life pales in comparison to the depth of love, devotion, and soul bond that I have with my bride, Linna. As we parted for this trip, each of our hearts ached to point of breaking. If it were not because the Lord asked me to go, I would not have considered the length of time away from my dearest one. It was an ache beyond description and while we both knew that a simple span of days was before now and my return, it did not diminish the pain of goodbye. But we also knew that the Lord was up to something; the Lion was afoot and He was working something mysterious and beautiful.
The word, Beautiful, is one that begins to scratch the surface of what defines our marriage. This incomparable woman that has graced my side for almost fifteen years has captivated me mind, soul, and spirit. Her depth of love and devotion to Jesus is inspiring beyond words. She submits, she roars, she trembles, she laughs, she chases, she finds – my life would be a wandering dispatch without her.
Lord, thank you for loving Linna so greatly then and now. Take care of my baby, she was yours far before she was ever mine. And I never, ever want to take your place. But rather Lord, from that first bread and cup we took together with you, watch over and keep her joyful, confident, and strong while I am away. She is no better hands. No better hands exist.
“The heart has its reasons, but reason knows nothing of the heart.” B. Pascal
Almost everything in my life pales in comparison to the depth of love, devotion, and soul bond that I have with my bride, Linna. As we parted for this trip, each of our hearts ached to point of breaking. If it were not because the Lord asked me to go, I would not have considered the length of time away from my dearest one. It was an ache beyond description and while we both knew that a simple span of days was before now and my return, it did not diminish the pain of goodbye. But we also knew that the Lord was up to something; the Lion was afoot and He was working something mysterious and beautiful.
The word, Beautiful, is one that begins to scratch the surface of what defines our marriage. This incomparable woman that has graced my side for almost fifteen years has captivated me mind, soul, and spirit. Her depth of love and devotion to Jesus is inspiring beyond words. She submits, she roars, she trembles, she laughs, she chases, she finds – my life would be a wandering dispatch without her.
Lord, thank you for loving Linna so greatly then and now. Take care of my baby, she was yours far before she was ever mine. And I never, ever want to take your place. But rather Lord, from that first bread and cup we took together with you, watch over and keep her joyful, confident, and strong while I am away. She is no better hands. No better hands exist.
Africa 2010 - The Sendoff
(The Africa 2010 series is about my mission trip to Kenya for 3+ weeks. They are captured on a laptop, then uploaded when internet access is available. And by Internet access, in Africa it is the kind of "access" that Benjamin Franklin had to electricity...)
February 5th, 2010
We gathered at the Mead home for a time of prayer and anointing. Mike led the group in a great prayer and commissioned us off. We also had a time beforehand of sharing about the trip, discussion about the mission, our roles and the beautiful people we will be spending time with. Lots of laughter, a few tears, and a sense of sendoff. Africa, here we come.
February 5th, 2010
We gathered at the Mead home for a time of prayer and anointing. Mike led the group in a great prayer and commissioned us off. We also had a time beforehand of sharing about the trip, discussion about the mission, our roles and the beautiful people we will be spending time with. Lots of laughter, a few tears, and a sense of sendoff. Africa, here we come.
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