Thursday Pictures

THURSDAY, July 5: We have heard, and now we see with our own eyes!

At the end of out Introduction to Coaching on Tuesday, Petronilla challenged each person to come back on Thursday and bring 2 or more with them. Well... They did. six of the seven bright 15 more. Wow! This coaching program has credibility. So, twenty three of us began the Basic Coach Training. Today the participants from Tuesday assisted in some parts of the training. One challenge for us was a "shift of perspective" from the leader (me) as the giver of truth to the one who calls forth the truth in the class. And it worked. Each person coached and was coached, and fell in love with coaching and the community that was being created! What an awesome experience for me. Petronilla asked Ray to create a Facebook page for the group, and Coaching_4_Clergy_Kenya was created. Our group represented a variety of churches and locations, including Southern Sudan. Already our first group of coaches in Kenya is bigger than just this one country. People kept coming see what all is happening!

Our #1 Coaching Class

Tuesday, our one day Introduction to Coaching. There were 8 of us for the day!

Wednesday: Finding a brother from another mother

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 was a day filled with meeting other like-minded persons who were interested in coaching. It began with Petronilla and me meeting Edward Ngaira, Kenya team leader of AFRICAN ENTERPRISE, whose mission is Transforming the cities of Africa through WORD and DEED.. The more Edward talked, the more connection I felt with his vision and ministry. I blurted out "you are my brother from another mother" to which he replied, pointing upward, "and we have the same Daddy!". Petro and I encouraged Edward to attend our training event on Thursday and bring his wife Purity. Wow. And before we left, Edward's dear friend and colleague John Kalenzi from Rwanda arrived. John and I had seen each other at a breakfast at the ACK Guest House where we both are staying. So we made plans to eat dinner together back at the Guest House. (We did, and explored bringing C4C's Coach Training to Rwanda and his Staff. Wow!). After lunch Petro and I attended a wonderful conference sponsored by a local congregation where I final got to meet Frida Owinga, who had attended a class led by Val in the US. Frida is who had told Petronilla about C4C. What a small world. I was privileged to meet many people, including Stella Munene, Petro's friend and a Life Coach & speaker. What a great connector and person who shares my passion for coaching. Going home to the Guest House I shared a ride with 3 wonderful folks from New Zealand. They were attending the Conference from their church. RobPurdue, who leads the Bright Hope World mission organization, spoke of how we might partner with them to bring Coach Training for their leaders. Wow. God is so very good, and I keep meeting fellow travelers who share similar visions of God's work in the world. Needless to say, after supper with John I went soundly to sleep, thanking my "daddy" for such a great day!

C4C's first training class of coaches

Tuesday, July 3, was a momentous day. We began our one day Coaching Initiative with 6 participants plus Petronilla nd myself. It was so much fun as we spoke of coaching, did coaching, and learned from each other. The power of the coaching experience touched the lives of each participant. The was much laughter, sharing of real life stories, and a passionate desire to envision how coaching could be used in ministry to youth, to adults and to entire church. It was such rich time.

Jambo Jim ("Hello" Jim)

Monday, July 2, was a day spent creating connections and relationships with people at the Guest House and beyond. Imagine my surprise to discover 2 Americans (from Florida and South Carolina) and a Kenyan working with Water Missions International. Their focus is "Changing Lives through Sustainable Water Systems". We spoke of how coaching could also change lives and a "sustainable" in Kenya and other East Africa countries. My friend Petronilla ("Petro") introduced me to several key Anglican leaders and gave us the opportunity to create a personal invitation to our training events. It was Grace from the Anglican Guest House who called her friend Godfrey at the Methodist Guest House. Again, we had wonderful conversation about coaching and created relationships. I am so excited that in a few hours I am privileged to lead C4C's first training event in Africa. This journey feels so right, as if I have been for for this time and place! Thanks be to God who inspires us to reach out in new ways for the growth of the Kingdom of God.

Anglican Church of Kenya: St Barnabas

Where Petronilla worships.

After breakfast on Sunday, Petro took me to her church, where I was warmed received. I was invited to bring greetings, which I did. I mentioned then"Barnabas" is the example of what a coach does-- comes along side. What a great experience and thenpriviledge to receive communion. A great day.

The Journey of thousands of miles...

So, how does one get from Gulf Shores, Alabama to Nairobi, Kenya? Patiently, and one flight at a time. On Friday, June 29, my wife Betty dropped me at the Pensacola (Florida) airport, at at 6:30 pm (CST, which is 2:30am Nairobi) Delta flew me to Atlanta. Then, Delta took me on to Dubai in 14+ hours. (yes, it was a direct flight, almost completely full, and thankfully I slept a lot on the flight.). I will confess that flying over many of the countries that are in the news was a little "ironic" , and again I recognized how small our world really is. We landed at the Dubai airport after the sun set. My Saturday, June 30, was the day I did NOT see the sunshine.The airport in Dubai is huge, clean and filled with people traveling to and from all parts of the world. ( I realized I wasn't in Alabama anymore). I relaxed in the KLM SkyClub, checked email and the news, ate supper, and prayed I would make it onto my Kenya Airways flight that was to leave at 2:30 am (1:30am Nairobi/ 5:30pm Alabama). Thankfully, the challenges were doable and we left for the short 5 hour flight to Nairobi. I napped on the plane, too excited to sleep much. Soon I would set foot on the continent of Africa. flying through the clouds into Nairobi I saw the forested areas outside the city and areas I had seen in only pictures and Google Earth. How cool! how thank-full! How gracious God is to allow me this privilege to be here in Kenya. Having already secured my visa and traveling with just a carry on bag, I quickly cleared the security area, and walked out! I'm in Kenya! I'm in Nairobi! WOW! 7:00am Nairobi/ 11pm in Alabama). My dear friend Petronilla was there waiting for me. After hugs and getting into her car, she took me to get breakfast and my first cup of Kenyan coffee in Kenya.This is the beginning of a GREAT DAY!

One week until my journey from Alabama to Nairobi begins.  I am getting so excited as today I received my VISA from the Republic of Kenya allowing me to enter several times over the next 6 months.  Already I am planning to return!

I am eager to meet many new friends who are interested in coaching. My new friend Petronilla Maina is doing a wonderful job getting the word out to church and business leaders.  It will be so great to meet Petronilla in person.

Here are the brochures for our training events:

One Day Coach Training brochure
Two Day Coach Training brochure

This is a dream come true for me!  (A God-inspired dream that is!)
Jim