Book Suggestions: Missions, Africa & Development

Reading books and current magazines or blogs is a great way to learn more about missions or the history and culture of a particular African country.  We often have people ask us for book recommendations.  While neither of us are devout bookworms, we have read a number of books on these topics.  Below is a list we've accumulated over the years.  All titles with an asterisk (*), are books we've personally read, and would recommend.  All other titles are books we've heard about from others or ones which are on our "to read" list.  We don’t necessarily agree with everything written in these books; in fact, some of them we might strongly disagree with.  However, we believe they are good books to learn about different cultures and countries.  Hopefully they will challenge and inspire you to look at the world from a different perspective.  
This list is by no means inclusive of every good book out there.  PLEASE COMMENT with your additional recommendations!

Go forth and read.

MISSIONS & CROSS-CULTURAL

*When Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert

*Africa Friends and Money Matters  - David E. Maranz

*The Hole in Our Gospel - Richard Stearns

* Let the Nations Be Glad! - John Piper

* Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot - And Cold - Climate Cultures - Sarah A. Lanier

AFRICA

General

*Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown – Paul Theroux

*The Only Road North - Erik Mirandette

* West With the Night - Beryl Markham

*Africa United: Soccer, Passion, Politics, and the First World Cup in Africa – Steve Bloomfield

Kenya

*It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace – Rye Barcott

*One Day I Will Write About This Place – Binyavanga Wainaina

*I Dreamed Of Africa - Kuki Gallman

*Playing by Their Rules – Sarah Ford

*Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Uganda

*Girl Solider - Faith J. H. McDonnell

*First Kill Your Family – Peter Eichstaedt

*Aboke Girls - Els De Temmerman

*The Teeth May Smile but the Heart Does Not Forget: Murder and Memory in Uganda – Andrew Rice

The Wizard of the Nile: The Hunt for Africa’s Most Wanted  – Matthew Green

Sudan

*They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky - Benjamin Ajak

*God Grew Tired of Us - John Bul Dau

*Emma’s War – Deborah Scroggins

*What is the What (fiction) – Dave Eggers

Rwanda

*Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

*Land of a Thousand Hills - Stephen Kinzer

*We Wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families – Philip Gourevitch

As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda by Catherine Claire Larson

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, Congo, Zaire)

*The Ponds of Kalambayi - Mike Tidwell, RPCV

*The Poisonwood Bible (fiction) - Barbara Kingsolver
* In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo - Michela Wrong

A Thousand Sisters: My Journey into the Worst Place on Earth to Be a Woman – Lisa Shannon

Journey to the Heart of Darkness – Tresor Yenyi

Zambia

*Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight - Alexandra Fuller

South Africa

*The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay

Kaffir Boy: A Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa - Mark Mathabane

WEST AFRICA

Ivory Coast:

*Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village – Sarah Erdman, RPCV

Sierra Leone:

*A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - Ishmael Beah

Cameroon:

Mango Elephants in the Sun: How Life in an African Village Let Me Be in My Skin - Susana Herrera, RPCV

CHILDREN & TEEN BOOKS

*I Know An Old Mzee Who Swallowed A Fly - Cathy Kreutter
*A Long Walk To Water - Linda Sue Park

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT and FOREIGN AID

*The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor - Jacqueline Novogratz

*Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa - Dambisa Moyo

*The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good - William Easterly

The Road to Hell: The Ravaging Effects of Foreign Aid and International Charity - Michael Maren

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time - Jeffrey Sachs

The Trouble with Africa: Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working - Robert Calderisi
Global Outlaws: Crime, Money & Power in the Contemporary World – Carolyn Nordstrom

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Following God's Lead

Back in 2002, I (Joe) began feeling God’s call to come to Kenya and serve at Christ’s Gift Academy.  At the time I was living out my dream of being a college basketball coach, but as a follower of Jesus, I always try to be open to wherever God may lead me.  At first I had no desire to leave my career and move to Kenya.  Eventually God made it so clear that I couldn’t resist, so I committed to serve for 1 year in Mbita as an administrator, teacher, coach and role model at CGA.  As I look back 11 years later, I can see how God had been preparing me my whole life for the work he had for me here in Mbita.  My time overseas has been absolutely amazing as God has used me to impact the lives of many young people, and he has also matured me and drawn me closer to Him. 

For we are God's workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus to do good works, which God

prepared in advance for us to do.  Eph 2:10

In 2012, I met an incredible woman who also shared the same passion for Africa.  During her time in Zambia and Uganda, God worked in and through Daneen’s life in similar ways as he had done with me in Kenya.  We agreed that after getting married, we would fulfill my latest commitment of serving in Mbita through 2014.  During our year together here, Daneen has also grown to love Mbita like I do.  We have enjoyed serving together with CGA and Suba Lakers.  We love our home and life here, and we value our friendships, especially the young ones we have an opportunity to serve daily.  CGA is truly a special place that is brining hope to the many orphans here in Mbita and our Suba Laker girls are growing up to be incredibly talented football players and remarkable young ladies.

  

As 2014 began, we committed to praying and fasting about our future, asking God to show us the way.  In similar ways that he called me to come and serve here 11 years ago, He has shown us that it is time to leave.  With heavy, yet peaceful hearts, we have made the decision that we will not return to serve in Mbita in 2015.  I feel strongly that what God originally called me here to do, I have done to the best of my ability.  As a missionary in a foreign land, there reaches a time when you have to let go.  The longer you stay, the more difficult it is; but that time will eventually come at some point. 

Early in the morning, David left the flock 

in the care of a shepherd, 

loaded up and set out.  1 Sam 17:20

As a ministry, CGA in recent years has been handing over more of the leadership to Kenyans.  We have helped with that process, and us leaving will accelerate that process even more.  We have a very capable and experienced Kenyan Leadership Team who understand the ministry and want to see it flourish.    

What is next for Team Pete?

In the long term, we have no idea what we will do or where God will us!  In the short term, we will continue to serve here in Kenya until mid-August.  At that point we will return to America and spend the last 4 months of the year travelling around the U.S.A. to share with friends, families, supporters, groups and churches about the work God is doing through CGA and Suba Lakers.  We trust that in God’s perfect timing He will open up the doors and lead us to the right direction for 2015 and beyond.

We so grateful for the many people back home who have prayed for us and supported us financially during our time serving in Kenya.  You are truly a huge part of this journey God has taken us on.  We could not have done it without you.  We hope that God has blessed you as abundantly as he has for us over these years.  

We look forward to seeing you sometime this Fall!

Suba Laker Day and KYFA Tournament

We love getting to spend quality time with our Suba Laker girls.  During the school break between Term 1 & Term 2, we brought all the Suba Lakers together for a Suba Laker Day. On Monday, May 21^st, we had a great day with the girls at the Mbita High School pitch. Suba Laker Days are an opportunity to check-in on how they’re performing academically, encourage them to keep working hard and remaining focused on what’s important (1. God, 2. family, 3. academics, 4. football) and, of course, enjoying a day of training together as a team.

After the day of training, many girls remained behind to train for the upcoming Kisumu Youth Football Association (KYFA) Nationwide Ladies Tournament.   On May 25-27 we traveled to Kisumu with 2 teams to compete in both tournament categories; Under 15 and Open Age. Some of the top teams from all over the country traveled to Kisumu to compete.  Since the Kenya Women’s Premier League hasn’t yet started this year, many Premier League teams flocked to the tournament.  In addition to great football, KYFA does an excellent job of bringing in successful women to share with the girls.  Throughout the 3-day tournament, speakers discussed many topics which affect young girls in Kenya today. 

GOAL!

On the field, our Under 15 team showed great skill and teamwork on the smaller pitch designed for the 7 v. 7 competition.  Though many of the other teams used players who were over the age of 15, our Suba Lakers were young girls with great potential.  They played aggressively, dominated a number of matches, but ultimately finished 1 point behind 2^nd place and thus didn’t qualify for the Semifinals. 

In the Free Age category, our girls battled hard.  Several of our top Suba Lakers were not able to play with us in the tournament because of injuries, home responsibilities, and a few were also playing with their secondary school teams.  That gave opportunities for some of the other players to step into their roles and get a chance to gain some valuable experience against strong competition.  They played against top teams from across the nation, including the Kenyan Premier League team, Thika Queens.  Besides the previous 3 days of training, our girls hadn’t played together as a team since last December. But they battled hard, gave their best and worked well together as a team. They finished 4^th in the pool of 6 teams. 

Suba Lakers and Jera Secondary School football teams

Great Coaches ~ Great Friends

Though both of our teams were now out of the tournament, we scheduled a friendly match against our friends from Jera Secondary School for the following day.  Jera is a school we love.  We are good, long-time friends with their Head Coach, Jacob Oganga.  We appreciate how he cares for his players and his skills as a great coach.  Joe has learned much from Coach Oganga over the years. During the match we mixed in some of our Juniors (primary school girls) with the older players and had a lot of encouragement from the bench. The friendly match ended in a loss of 3-1 but the girls gave a great effort and enjoyed the entire weekend.

 

  

Making History as National Champions!

For the first time in history...

The Western part of Kenya has always been known as the birthplace of football in the country.  Most of the best football players in the country come from the Western Region or the neighboring Lake Region.  They have a long history of dominance in the professional ranks of Kenyan Football with the top 2 premier league teams with the greatest tradition coming from these parts (Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards). 

In the Primary School Ball-games, the Lake Region boys have really dominated the country, especially in recent years.  They have won the championship 6 times in the past 10 years.  The girls from Lake Region have always been equally as talented, yet they had never won the championship before this year.  The reasons are not clear, but maybe it was because of tribal difference on the team (Kisii and Luo tribes), or a lack of good discipline or poor coaching.  For the Primary School Ball-games, the coaches select the best players from the different counties within their region.  They train them for one week before participating in the National Tournament which lasts for 3 days.  It is not easy to carry out a proper/fair selection of the best players from the entire region and then teach them how to play together as a team in such a short amount of time. 

In recent years, Joe has been assisting Head Coach Job Ochoki in training and coaching the girls for the National Ball-games.  In 2011 and 2012 they helped lead the team to the National Finals, but lost both of those matches.  Last year they reached the semifinals, but were eliminated at that point. 

Many felt that 2014 could be the year the girls finally win it all.  Most of the girls from last year had returned and were now in their final year of primary school (8^th Grade).  Also, the Lake Region was the host for the National Ball-games.  With experienced players and crowd support, the team was very optimistic. 

Of the 18 players on the team, 10 hailed from Homa Bay County, including 6 Suba Lakers.  This was the 4^th time Lavenda Acheing had reached Nationals, 3^rd time for Winny Akinyi, 2^nd time for Lillian Awuor, and the first time for Eunice Anyango, Lencer Adoyo and June Brenda.  This disciplined and experienced group of players was the backbone of the Lake Region team.  They quickly made friends with the other girls from different places and different tribes.  Lavenda was elected the team leader and Winny the team pastor, leading the team in prayers before and after every training session.  They demonstrated to the other girls the importance of training hard and good preparation.  Many of the other girls acted a bit lazy and complained of sickness or injury to avoid practice, but the Suba Laker Girls came to the field ready to train hard and do whatever the coach asked of them.  Because of that commitment and hard work, 5 of the 6 earned their way in the starting lineup by the time the tournament began. 

In our first match with perennial power Western Region, we played on a sloppy, rain-soaked field that led to many defensive blunders.  Lake Region scored 2 early goals to go up 2-0, but Western answered with 2 of their own later in the 1^st half.  Just before halftime the girls managed 1 more to go into the break with a morale booster.  The girls added 3 more in the 2^nd half for a convincing 6-2 victory over the team that eliminated them the previous year in the semifinals.  With such a large goal differential in the first match, we were able to play many of our substitutes in the 2^nd match against Aberdares Region, and still managed to win 3-0 and finish on top of the group. 

In the semifinals we faced a big and strong Nakuru Region team.  We scored half-way through the opening half and held on for a 1-0 victory.  That win qualified us for the Finals.  On the championship day, our girls exuded much confidence with the home fans surrounding the field and supporting them enthusiastically. 

From the opening kick of the Finals against the defending champs Nairobi Metropolitan, the Lake Region girls controlled the ball possession and displayed great teamwork.  Their good play resulted in 4 great chances to score in the opening half, but each time they created a chance, a very talented and aggressive Goalkeeper from Nairobi Metropolitan thwarted their bid.  As the 2^nd half played out, Nairobi resorted to kicking balls out and feigning injuries to waste time.  Regulation time ended with a scoreless draw and the game went for 20 minutes of extra time.  As the players from both teams got worn down physically, scoring chances opened up, but the two goalkeepers proved up to the challenge.  The match ended without a goal, so it would be up to post-match penalty kicks to determine the National Champion. 

The Lake Region Goalkeeper, Lillian Awuor (a Suba Laker), is an excellent keeper in every way, but is especially skilled against penalty kicks.  During the Primary School Ball-games over the past month, Lillian has won all 17 games her team has played.  Three of those games were Finals that came down to post-match penalty kicks.  Only 3 people in those games were able to get the ball past her.  In the County Finals, she saved every penalty kick that was shot.  She was determined to win the National Trophy, but Nairobi’s keeper was a very formidable opponent. 

Asher Atieno and Winny Akinyi scored their penalties for the Lake Region team, but the pivotal moment was when Goalkeeper Lillian Awuor scored against her counterpart.  It gave her the psychological edge needed and helped our girls have faith that they would take the day.  Lillian saved the 5^th and final kick to preserve a 3-2 win for the Lake Region as the fans stormed the field jumping, screaming and dancing. 

It was a magical moment for all of Lake Region to stake their claim as the National Champions in the Primary School Ball-games.  But… it was a bigger moment for Joe and Coach Job to be successful in leading their team to huge success and proving to the nation that quality teams and talented players can come from even the most rural parts of the country!!!

We're so proud of our Suba Laker girls for not only leading their team to a great victory on the field, but they also showed remarkable character and behavior during matches, trainings and even in the 'camp' where they slept.  They truly have captured and are living out the Suba Laker Way!