In the Middle of It

We are sharing our experiences as we travel to Kenya for the National Ladies Conference.

We've arrived in Kenya and discuss first impressions.

If you’re enjoying Paths to Glory, be sure to check out our two other podcasts!

Paths to Glory Kenya shares powerful stories of faith and transformation from the heart of Africa — voices of hope, revival, and purpose.

And for the young — and the young at heart — don’t miss The Jones Family Chronicles, a fun, faith-filled adventure series for the whole family.

You can find Paths to Glory Kenya and The Jones Family Chronicles

The song "Paths to Glory" created with Udio and written by Roy Allison IV.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:09

Everyone has a story. That story is your path. Path filled with trials, triumphs, transformations, and miracles. Welcome to Paths to Glory, where we dive deep into the extraordinary narratives of those who have had their darkest moments turned into beat. No path is beyond.

SPEAKER_03 1:53

Bossing already.

SPEAKER_04 1:54

And my favorite granddaughter in Boongoma, Kenya. It is Wednesday, the Thursday. It is Thursday. So for those of you listening, um, it is an exhausting trip. Uh, and I'm a little behind. So it is Thursday, and it is the first day of services that will be happening this afternoon at three o'clock. Um, we started uh what day? Sunday? Sunday morning. We started Sunday morning and flew to uh Dallas Fort Worth. Dallas Fort Worth to London was about a nine-hour flight. We had a three-hour layover, and then we flew another nine hours from London to Nairobi, arriving about 8 50. By the time we got through getting luggage and getting through customs, getting to our room, it was about 10 to 10.30. So needless to say, we were exhausted. Yes. Um so uh first impressions. When we landed in Nairobi, came off the plane. First impressions from both of you.

SPEAKER_03 3:17

A little uh being a spalled American, yeah, it was like what do you mean by by this is a little this is rough. And how so very shocking. Very shocking, yes. Very um I guess because in America at the airports are are so uh well managed and organized and uh And by all of this you mean that we we walked off the plane onto the tarmac. Yes.

SPEAKER_04 3:52

Into a bus.

SPEAKER_03 3:53

Uh did we did we ride a bus? We rode a bus to customs. I'm a little tight. Yes, uh a bus over to customs, and it was like you definitely realized you were no longer in a um an American city.

SPEAKER_04 4:12

In an American city. Um customs is interesting. Uh everything runs at a different pace.

SPEAKER_03 4:22

Very much so.

SPEAKER_04 4:24

Very slower. Slower, yeah. Correct. Um luggage, thankfully, it took us a while to get through customs, so waiting. We have to scan a few carry-on bags uh through the X-ray thing to get out. And we were greeted by who?

SPEAKER_03 4:44

Bishop Alfred and Mama Brenda, Deborah, Deborah. Deborah, sorry, uh brother Arlan. Arlan? Arlan and his wife Martha Martha. And then I do not remember another pastor and his wife, and at this point I don't remember their names.

SPEAKER_04 5:04

Yes. We'll we will get it again before. Yes.

SPEAKER_03 5:08

Uh and what was your impression? Well, first of all, the craziness and how many I don't know how many planes must have come in around the time. It was thousands of people.

SPEAKER_04 5:21

So that you need to understand, out of our place and where we came out, there was only one plane that was going through customs and picking up luggage.

SPEAKER_03 5:34

Where did all the other people come from?

SPEAKER_04 5:36

They uh came off of our plane and they hang out. There's like a great number of people that hang out outside that area when you come out of customs.

SPEAKER_03 5:44

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_04 5:45

It was that way before. But um so what was the reception like?

SPEAKER_02 5:52

It was very, very humbling. They're very sweet people, like so so pure, so just happy all the time.

SPEAKER_04 6:02

It was really almost like it was long fri long, you know, friends for a long time, and you're you're just seeing somebody that you haven't seen in a while. Would you agree with that?

SPEAKER_03 6:11

Yes. Yes. Um very overwhelming. Their humility, their servitude. I mean they wouldn't even let us take care of very bad. Nothing. They were And we're talking about the women for a Mama Deborah grabbed a suitcase. Oh, yes. They I mean, they just would not let us carry anything. Um, they acted like they were just so happy to see us.

SPEAKER_04 6:48

They weren't acting, they genuinely very acting. I understand.

SPEAKER_03 6:52

But they were genuinely it was very overwhelming. Yeah. Um, I mean, just and then when we got to the hotel and they visited with us for about 15 minutes. And um Yeah, uh, just that amount of time made you want to find an altar and repent over our American selfishness and self-centering.

SPEAKER_04 7:22

It really does stand out when you it does come. Because it's not just now it is I do think that the church people have a special clearly have a special touch, but the Kenyan people in general Yes, the Kenyan that the the atmosphere uh is just a calmer.

SPEAKER_02 7:44

Um everybody just always so willing to do anything. We're happy to serve.

SPEAKER_04 7:49

Very, very much they never cater to you.

SPEAKER_03 7:52

Yes, well, and and being out and about the little bit that we got to be out. There's no aggressive behavior. There okay, so I think what stuck in my mind last night is America and there's a lot of anger in America, and there's no anger here.

SPEAKER_04 8:13

What was the drive like?

SPEAKER_03 8:15

Which one?

SPEAKER_02 8:18

That was interesting.

SPEAKER_04 8:19

Nairobi and driving in Nairobi was interesting. Um in itself. That was the first experience you had with it was driving in Nairobi. It wasn't so bad on Tuesday, but getting to the airport was was a different experience. You really got to kind of get a better feel for what driving is there, is like.

SPEAKER_03 8:39

Yes, because what should have been a three-lane road, they were turning into a five-lane. And I think the one that really was the fuel truck that got off on the right shoulder and was leaning precariously to get around traffic.

SPEAKER_04 9:00

And what was the driver told us? There are no laws in Kenya until you break one. Uh uh, yeah, it is. There is no there.

SPEAKER_03 9:10

There's no, they're not honking, they're not being aggressive, they're just Nobody's you know, shaking a fist or it. It's it's crazy.

SPEAKER_04 9:20

But you get this feeling like it's every man for himself. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 9:24

You know, it's just but they but yet they're they're uh I don't I don't know if kind is the right word. They're just they're they patiently, okay, you're coming over, all right, here you go.

SPEAKER_04 9:37

And so that was the one experience. And then we flew to Casumu yesterday, which by the way was an absolutely beautiful flight of about 35 minutes in the air. Uh the green was stunning. Yes. And uh just just amazing. We landed in Casumu and started our drive to Bungoma. It was the sun was starting to go down, but there are people everywhere. Everywhere. Along the roads, just everywhere.

SPEAKER_03 10:14

Well, there again, it's a two-lane road that sometimes becomes a three or four-lane road. Or four-lane road.

SPEAKER_04 10:21

Exactly. And motorcycles are are in thrown into this mix, some driving on the left shoulder, driving straight towards you when they should be driving the opposite direction with you.

SPEAKER_03 10:34

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 10:34

Because you do have some driving the same direction.

SPEAKER_03 10:37

It it's just And on top of that, you've got people walking both sides of the road and across the street and livestock crossing.

SPEAKER_04 10:46

Uh yeah, it's uh it and then it got dark.

SPEAKER_03 10:48

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 10:49

And then it started raining.

SPEAKER_03 10:50

Yes. And they're okay, so there are no lights.

SPEAKER_04 10:55

No streetlights.

SPEAKER_03 10:56

There are no reflectors in the road.

SPEAKER_04 10:59

So many of the motorcycles didn't even have headlights or taillights.

SPEAKER_03 11:03

I realize that.

SPEAKER_04 11:04

And when you get into the to the little towns or cities, um there's no stoplights.

SPEAKER_03 11:10

None.

SPEAKER_04 11:11

There's speed bumps.

SPEAKER_03 11:12

Yes, the speed bumps were fair.

SPEAKER_04 11:13

That just appear out of nowhere.

SPEAKER_03 11:16

And the potholes. Yes.

SPEAKER_04 11:18

Uh and people.

SPEAKER_03 11:20

And people everywhere.

SPEAKER_04 11:21

Walking up and down the side of the road, sitting on the edge of the pavement.

SPEAKER_01 11:25

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 11:26

Um, just and when we spoke with Arlan about that, it was they're just they're still working. They're selling food, they're in shops, they're going home from work or going to work.

unknown 11:40

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_04 11:41

Um, because nobody has a car.

unknown 11:43

No.

SPEAKER_04 11:44

And so everybody has to walk.

SPEAKER_03 11:46

Um The other thing I looked at Alexis and one of the little towns we went through, I said, Do you realize that there's hardly any lights? There's no electricity in most of the homes.

SPEAKER_04 11:58

Yeah, there's a lot that do not have electricity. Definitely. Yes. Oh.

SPEAKER_03 12:02

So it was very dark.

SPEAKER_04 12:03

Mm-hmm. Every every one you went through until we got to Boungoma. Right. There were streetlights. Yes. It was there were businesses that were well lit up. And this was at we got into Boungoma about 8 30 in the evening. And there were just I would say thousands of people. Yeah. Everyone. Uh, but certainly hundreds at any one intersection, uh, were stopped at one place. Uh a young man walks up to Arlan's side. Did you let me see that?

SPEAKER_03 12:32

Yes. Yes. He was probably looking for a handout.

SPEAKER_04 12:34

I don't know. He but he was he didn't say anything, but he spoke English, uh, had the most beautiful teeth.

SPEAKER_03 12:40

Uh he smiled.

SPEAKER_04 12:41

Oh, um, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 12:42

Oh, and how about when the police were stopping us?

SPEAKER_04 12:45

Yes, that was an interesting one.

SPEAKER_03 12:47

On the roads.

SPEAKER_04 12:48

So we got um uh along the way there was a like a police checkpoint. And they were uh stopping every car. Uh they got to our vehicle, and uh the police officer came to my side, which would be driver's side in America. So I'm and they roll uh Arlan right uh rolls my window down, and of course he's speaking Swahili. And they talk back and forth a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 13:17

Um and they had to look in the vehicle.

SPEAKER_04 13:20

Yes, I had to roll down the vehicle. They looked in, had flashlights, looked inside the vehicle. I never once was worried there was never any hostility or anything. No. And when we left, uh I said it took a little bit. Did you notice this? Brother Arlan wasn't really sure he wanted to to say it, but I was like, what what did they want? Are they who are they looking for somebody? Are they and after probing uh of a couple of minutes, he said what?

SPEAKER_03 13:52

Well, th they they were looking for someone.

SPEAKER_04 13:55

But he said what they were looking for.

SPEAKER_03 13:57

And they also were asking if we had any food.

SPEAKER_04 14:00

Yes. They wanted to know they were looking for for some food.

SPEAKER_03 14:03

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_04 14:04

It's like they had a purpose, but if you weren't the purpose that they were looking for.

SPEAKER_03 14:12

No.

SPEAKER_04 14:13

I think he said that they're that they're looking for food. They do they're doing that with a car that they stop if it doesn't have what they are looking for, then they ask for food.

SPEAKER_03 14:23

Then they ask for food.

SPEAKER_04 14:24

Um and and of course, just let us, you know, okay, thank you, and we off we went.

SPEAKER_03 14:29

Now I was never in you, Alexis. No, I was I've never there's never been one time that I have felt anxious or uncertainty.

SPEAKER_04 14:39

Yeah, uh myself. I mean, you know, um now we we get to Boungoma. And they have traffic circles in Boomgoma. Did you notice the traffic circles?

SPEAKER_03 14:51

If that's what you call it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 14:54

Um nobody slows down, nobody yields. It's like I'm going and you just make the loop and go, um, and uh I have to throw this in. In the middle of this trip, dark, no street lights, people would walk across. I mean, all of the things we talked about Brother Arlan probably took five phone calls, six phone calls. Uh, he ordered our dinner for us, um, all while driving through all of this.

SPEAKER_03 15:27

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 15:27

And uh anyway, so we get into Bungoma, and as we I knew we were close, uh time-wise, he pointed out the venue where the the ladies' conference is at. And um the neighborhood started getting the area started getting it I was gonna s say sketchy, but well, for us in America. For us in America and and I I posted on our photo stream that the neighborhood was, you know, in a condition in and in a state that is unlike any that in Phoenix. I don't care what area of town you go to that you think you're in the worst area.

SPEAKER_01 16:09

This is true.

SPEAKER_04 16:10

But again, no fear, no uh you know, nothing. Uh there were people standing around on the outsides of buildings. Uh I mean, it's not somewhere I would walk for although Brother Arlan told us on every occasion that it was safe.

SPEAKER_03 16:30

Yeah, even though it didn't, I mean to us.

SPEAKER_04 16:33

Yeah, to us, it wouldn't, but um and we turned down an alley in between a couple of what I would I would say sketchy homes, uh, a person leaning against the corner of one of the buildings, and it was clearly kind of a it was an alley. And uh we drive up on this entrance of a custom-made, you know, steel gate, uh, Hunter's Paradise on these curved walls. It's a resort.

SPEAKER_02 17:08

Yes, a resort in the middle of this alley.

SPEAKER_04 17:10

In the middle of this alley, in the middle of this neighborhood. Um, we cannot wait to get out today and see in the daylight what we saw that's because I want to take pictures.

SPEAKER_03 17:24

We haven't been able to take pictures of what we saw.

SPEAKER_04 17:28

Correct, correct. So, um, in light of all of that, we have also gotten the schedule.

SPEAKER_01 17:35

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 17:36

Um, we got it. Last night on the way to Boungoma, I asked again for the schedule of services. Uh we had no idea when we were to speak, if we were to speak, um, how many times we were to speak. Uh when I asked, Brother Arlan's response was, oh yeah, and handed us a flyer.

SPEAKER_03 18:06

So uh it is There were times, but there were no Yeah, no no people assigned.

SPEAKER_04 18:12

No people assigned. Just times. Just times. First teaching, second teaching, third teaching, lunch. Lunch. So um we have since found out. So there is church, one service tonight, uh that Brother Alexander will be preaching. Tomorrow, uh, well, at dinner when we got in, uh Bishop Alfred let my wife and I know that he wanted us just to handle to take care of the teaching sessions. And uh so on a Friday and Saturday, uh my wife and I will do a teaching session each. And Brother Alexander will be preaching a service at night, and then on Sunday there is one service again. And everybody, it's not just women, it's all the families, etc. We have found out, and I will throw this in uh now, but we will talk about it more, I'm sure, uh later, that people will be coming from Khalifi. You've heard me talk about Khalifi before. Khalifi by public transportation, uh, they it is a 16-hour trip, and there are several coming from Khalifi. Khalifi, if you'll recall, is a church, uh, is the uh area that has church under the tree, and they've had uh 700 to 1,000 people uh in attendance. So it's very um, wouldn't you admit when you hear that and you hear the things about all these people and that none of them have cars and everybody has to come, public transportation, and yet these people are still coming. Doesn't it make you feel small?

SPEAKER_03 19:55

Yes. Well, and Sister Martha Monday night said those this was these were her words, those that can afford the public transportation all the way, some can only afford the transportation part of the way. So there again, they walk they're walking miles and miles and miles um and witnessing that some of the ladies that are here literally came with a couple of like shopping bags with their stuff in it. And here we come rolling in with fat suitcases.

SPEAKER_04 20:48

Yeah, it is it is extremely humbling, and they are genuinely uh there is a great deal of expectation from them to see what God will do.

SPEAKER_03 21:02

Yes, they are expecting Sister Deborah's words were Mama Deborah? Not Sister Martha. I'm sorry, Sister Martha. We are expecting great miracles and moves of God, right?

SPEAKER_04 21:17

So it is, um, as I mentioned uh l in in last week's episode, you know, God didn't wait for us to get here. Uh it clearly God has been moving, God has been preparing, and we just happen to be stepping into something that's been in process all along. So it is uh it's interesting. So we are in the middle of it. More to come. You've been listening to the Paths to Glory Podcast. To contact us, send your emails to Paths to Glory Podcast at gmail.com. We all travel different paths, so it's important. That we remember Proverbs 3, 5 through 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Our paths to glory. Thank you for joining us.

SPEAKER_00 22:22

It's my path to glory. What an amazing story. I'm so glad that he had a plan for me. It's my testimony. From glory to glory. I'm so glad that he had a plan for me.