Day 5: Kenya gravel, Iten Market, Coaches Clinic

Wednesday!

The RTR Team divided and conquered the morning…Simon (minister near Eldoret) visited a local school with Dr. Chad, Dr. Tracy, and De’Ette to share the way of the Lord and invite student athletes who may not be committed to Christ to consider committing to God and His path. We continue to be so grateful for Simon’s work and role on the RTR team as he will be a local connection for these athletes to continue to connect with even when our team parts ways back home.

Danna and Beth explored the west area of Kenya on foot, running the “chunky” dirt roads under our feet and country views of rolling hills, Rift valley in the distance, and possibly the cutest children walking to school. Just as faith and running are universal languages, so is smiling. We (Beth and Danna) continue to meet runners on the roads and have loved sharing our purpose in Iten. Running allows us to see more, meet others, and learn more and more of God’s land in Kenya.


Beth and Danna walked the half mile to the Iten Market that locals setup their stands of produce, beans, and goods daily. The only “Mzungus” in sight, we were welcomed by all. Faith and her stand mate Rose shared with us their participation in a local women’s group whose motto is: Strong in Faith.

They were so kind sharing various produce we had never seen or tried. Tamarind is a spice that off the plant is to be “sucked” not eaten…a combination of sour and sweet. Like a broken record, every group we meet in Kenya are kind and welcoming. It is pretty amazing to witness and feel.

Daily clinic at the hospital was another day filled with runners from various training groups in and outside of Iten. Our flow is efficient and becoming a well God-guided and RTR oiled machine. Kip and De’Ette register each athlete prior to seeing one of our RTR sports physicians: Tracy, Chad, or Carole. Once evaluated, diagnosed, educated and prayed for, Eli walks them to our physical therapy rooms where Ken (local  PT to Nairobi), Beth and I meet, assess, educate, and walk through rehab exercises before praying with each athlete. We ended clinic with about 25 athletes and asked a few to return tomorrow due to time constraints. I often ask if there is anything specific I can pray for or if there is anything on their heart. The amount of times I hear “I am just so happy, happy to be here, and grateful for running” fills my heart with admiration for the gratitude this culture has even in moments of physical struggle and beyond.


Our evening ended with a coaches clinic immediately following hospital clinic where Ken, Beth, and I followed up on requests from our initial meeting Saturday night of areas to learn from us to best help their athletes prevent injury and apply our education and participation of proper dynamic warmup, stretching/mobility, and strength all specific to functional for runners. It was a fun evening that included a lot of English from 2 of us…mixed in with our known anatomy vocabulary of:

Makaleo= Glutes

Tumbo= Stomach

Mungango= Back

…and the Kenyan culture chuckles but is also very appropriative of our attempt to learn their language for communicating.

Thank the Lord for Kip and his Kiswahili (Kenyan Swahili) communication!


Dr. Tracy led our Bible study continuing our readings in Phillipians. We are reminded to keep our eye on the prize and finish strong, in all things. Just as a runner trains for the finish line of a competition, we as believers hold strong to God’s hand in the storms and keep our eyes on Him with the brightest sun. Finishing our work here in Iten in the coming days, we may feel tired but in Him will finish our work strong.

Full day. Full hearts. Adventure on!