Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And
those he predestined he also called; those he called, he also justified; those
he justified, he also glorified.
I was to be
in Brazil from the 16th to the 22nd so I would be coming
back to Kenya from tomorrow. This was a
missionary trip that coincided with the 2014 World Cup.
When
volunteers for this trip were being looked for I had no idea I would sign up. In
fact I was not interested because there was no way I could raise the air fare
which at that time was $1570. So I was
content with watching and experiencing the world cup here at home in Kenya. Oh
what a surprise when my parents asked for the flier and told me to pursue the
idea.
There
were so many things going on in my mind
First of
all I was not a missionary. Secondly where would the money come from? Thirdly I
have never been on a plane before. Fourthly where would I get pocket money.
Fifthly when and how would I learn Portuguese? So I prayed about it and began
the process of getting all the necessary information and document s to prepare
for the trip including doing my own research on the place we were to go and how
to evangelize. In less than 1 week all my fears were no more.
So I got
everything including the air ticket paid in full. My work was now to wait for
the visa board the plane and go spread the good news of our Lord Jesus
Christ. With this knowledge that I was guaranteed to go, I went and told the whole world “ninapanda
ndege kuenda Brazil” ( I am going to board a plane to go to Brazil)Trust me
I told the whole world.
It started with my family, then the friends who would
be praying for me as I was on the mission, then my team mates both current and
former, then my coaches, then twitter and then Facebook. I even started a mini count
down to the World Cup.
From this
eventful adventure of telling everyone that I was going to Brazil everyone
thought I am going to play football or to watch the world cup. You should have
seen the look on their faces when I told them I am going as a missionary. Most
were like how come your not going to Turkana or something? Why Brazil? My
response was simple I do not know but all I know is that everyone needs Jesus
even the Brazilians and everyone attending the world cup.
Then
there were the crazy requests from some of my friends.
“Eliud when you go
please come back with Brazilian hair for me.”
“Eliud
make sure you do not come back empty handed you guy, buy for me soccer boots
and bring the brazuca with you too (World Cup ball) “
The Brazilian
hair request made me laugh silly. How on earth I, a dude walk in a shop even
here in Nairobi to go ask for hair….. Never .I do not think I will ever do it.
So that ends there.
The one
for shoes and the brazuca got me all excited because deep within I was
imagining how I would use my juggling and football skills to get the attention
of a scout and also to minister. So I went to OLX (an online shop like eBay) searching
for the cost of chutiera (shoes in Portuguese)
in Brazil.
The cost
was the same no big difference. So I resolved to do all my shopping here and
when I would get to brazil it was
strictly mission work.
Things in
Brazil started becoming crazy, strikes and protests from teachers, bus drivers
and even the police. So you can imagine what was happening here on my side.
Serious prayer and fasting so that everything could be okay and we could get to
travel. Things got worse and eventually our host sent a letter of cancellation.
It was unbelievable
I was like :
“What!
How?”
“I have already paid…. God I have prayed and I
have fasted… I have told everyone I am going… I have done my shopping already….
Lord I am ready”
There was
depression, confusion and embarrassment all together at once.
There was depression because I was really
looking forward to the trip and boarding a plane for the first time and playing football with the Brazilians
(inventors of the samba). I was confused
because I had planned how I would blog about it from there and now I did not
know what was next.. Embarrassment because I had told the whole world I am
going. So in short it was a big disaster.
But
remember that verse I shared at the beginning:
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who
have been called according to his purpose.
I ended
up getting a blogging job for this world cup and I did not have to travel to
Brazil I could just watch the games from home and blog about it. Here is the link to an article I have written :
My pal
came from the States and brought me new boots and an official world cup match
ball. That was really awesome. I got to
meet his family too and talk about Christ and football .I need to check up on
him.
I bet
your wondering what happened next our mission trip has been rerouted to the UK.
Right now
all I can do is wait and see what’s next and prepare my mind and heart to serve. God is good all the time and that is His
nature and indeed His love endures forever.
No matter how hopeless the situation looks like God is in control. He
loves us so much that He gave us his only begotten son Jesus Christ to die on
the cross for our sins so that we can gain salvation and live free.
