Kingdom Exploits With Uche

I sighted Sabina stumbling towards the finish line, where I was handing out the winning cards at the 2015 Yei Students’ Marathon last October in South Sudan and was pained when she eventually collapsed,  some 15-20 meters from the finish line.

Screams in various cords and calls of, “Get up! Get up!! Get up!!!” from sympathizing onlookers charged the Square as Sabina lay there, motionless.

Someone rushed to pick her up, but I protested; as we all watched with much concern.

She would have been the 8^th girl across the line had she managed to maintain her unsteady steps for just a few more seconds. By the time she recovered, lifted off the ground and stumbled across the line, she’d missed the last scholarship position. Ten slots were at stake for girls. She came in 14^th.

I didn’t know how strongly she contested for the laurel until I looked through the pictures; thanks to a masterful work of photography done by a dear disciple.

From the shots, I observed that Sabina led the girls for most of the race. But something began to go wrong about 500m to the finish line.

 

She’d blasted off the start line with others chasing…

Sabina was fast, she led early and far into the race. But the Race of Life, like this Marathon, is not about speed.

It’s worthy of mention that this other girl, seen here running beside Sabina, eventually won the first position. They tagged along for quite a bit.

At this stage, Sabina began to slow down. Something was wrong. The official seen in the photo was encouraging her… offered some water to cheer her but…

Sabina stumbled to a fall with the finish line just steps away. She lay there for a few seconds that seemed like hours… as other girls ran past her.

Sabina, gutted. Inconsolable. Medical attention couldn’t assuage the shame, nor stop the tears. It was over.

What happened to her? What kind of help did she need but didn’t get? What could she have done better?

Finishing strong has always been one of the key lessons from these marathons over the years. This one carried a heavy punch.

I went in search of Sabina in her school and found her. In the presence of her Headmaster, I asked what happened during the race.

“As I approached Freedom Square (where the race ends), my head began to ache very badly and I struggled so much to maintain my balance. Eventually, I fell and it became so hard to get up from there, but I managed to…”

This girl is definitely a talented athlete but needs coaching. I encouraged her, assured her of my support, invited her to the Winners’ Party and then, gave her the news she wasn’t expecting.

“I’m going to give you the scholarship you missed.”

 

She was beside herself with joy. Despite her obvious shyness, she couldn’t hide her excitement. I’ll not forget her jubilation and the many thankful remarks.

Grace will always provoke heartfelt worship. That’s what God desires and deserves.

Sabina got off the ground and claimed the 14th position that meant absolutely nothing to her. But she won my heart by just finishing.

Mambo Paul’s testimony of this same Race was different.

He came 6^th among the boys and told the story of his struggle and awesome determination to win something at this Marathon.

“As I was going to the Freedom Square to participate in the Marathon that morning, I hit my big toe on a stone and hurt it very badly. When I arrived at the Freedom Square, I immediately went to the medical team for treatment. I was very sad that I’d not even started the race and I’m already injured. But I determined to run, though I felt I might not make it because of the pain from the wounded toe.”

“Soon after the race began, at the Red Stage, I hit the same toe on a stone again and blood was flowing freely from it. I think because I was among the race leaders at that point, I felt encouraged to endure the pain till the end…”

“I was thinking of the scholarship as I ran. I don’t have anyone to pay my school fees, so I had to really struggle to make it…”

“If you were not among the front runners, would you have continued when you injured the same toe a second time?” I asked.

“I don’t think so sir.” 

Mambo’s toe was still in plasters as we celebrated at the Party one week after the Race. 

At the Winners’ Party, I used these two stories to underscore the reoccurring lessons of the Race of Life.

Like Sabina, we may tire-out, faint or fall; tripped-up by some internal or external injury, feel the shame of being grounded and seemingly left out or surpassed by others.

Nevertheless, like Mambo, we must determine to rise above our present setbacks or pains, and finish the race of life set before us.

Enduring till the end is far more important than the beginning and everything else in-between.

With our eyes always set at the end… the big picture, the Lord Jesus Himself as our Ultimate Prize, we can finish well. They got the message. 11 of 18 winners that attended the Party gave their life to Jesus that afternoon.

 

May their faith stand the test of time. May these tender steps make an eternal difference, beyond our wildest hopes and prayers.

Even so Lord!

The preparation for this year’s marathon was somewhat haphazard, on account of my late arrival to Yei. The errors of last year’s event were still haunting the organizers.

I missed the 2014 edition. Ebola kept me away.

On my arrival, I decided to reestablish the importance of prayer when I realized the team was struggling. With the right motive, prayer never fails. We spent time praying.

When one of the team members suggested we take a day to fast and some agreed, that was a special moment for me. The burden was lifted.

Then came the day of the race. 243 students had registered to participate from 10 schools. Sadly, five schools pulled out. The school administration of one felt undone from last year’s race and was still seething, while the others failed to motivate and mobilize their students.

Interestingly though, some schools hired top athletes from a particular primary school to represent them. Their desperation for the Trophy spoke volumes. This was no ordinary race. We promptly eased the mercenaries out of the line.

The trophy, a new one, donated by Rev. Yemi Ayodele from the USA was named The Mayor’s Trophy. It would go to the overall winning school, with a cash prize of 4000ssp ($215). The school in second position would get 1000ssp and the third 750ssp.

The usual prizes for the students: Medals- 1^st to 3^rd, Certificates- 1^st to 10^th, one year tuition scholarships- 1^st to 10^th (for 10 boys and 10 girls) and cash prizes- 1^st – 3^rd were ready to be won. Who would it be? Who are these 20 students God is sending our way for another year?

The presence of the Mayor of Yei Municipality, the new Honorable Commissioner of Yei River County, the Police Commissioner for Yei River County and other honorable guests added color and worth to this event.

The current economic difficulties in the nation made the 20 scholarships much more precious. Many students lamented when it was rumored that this year’s marathon would not hold. This was no ordinary race for most of them. They aimed for the prizes but they would be our prize.

As soon as the rules were read and all other formalities concluded, the girls set themselves in line to run first, before the boys. The tension was high. 

My concern was their safety, but each time it flashed across my mind, the Lord would assure me, with a peace that could only be from Him.

The boys ran off with a shout before the girls began to arrive.

To the surprise of many, the first girl at the finish line didn’t look anything like an athlete. Wait for her story in the coming updates. There’s a lesson she taught us.

Yei Girls Secondary School won the Trophy. Though they had only one girl within the first 10 positions among the girls, their strength was in their numbers, as they secured more points in the end. They came as a team, aimed for the trophy and took it.

Four of the 20 winners this year were winners last year. Their joy was a notch higher than the rest. We’ve marked them and will concentrate our discipleship efforts on them; praying that a sports coach with a Kingdom vision from somewhere will discover them.

Five of the 20 winners from last year who were not eligible to run this year because they are final year students, volunteered as organizers of this year’s Marathon. They identified fully with the vision of this race and made me really glad.

In the end, this Race of Life- edition 5 had rich lessons we’d be reflecting on for some time to come.

Since the first Marathon in 2011, we’ve connected with 79 winners, who received scholarships for a year. 55 of them are born again now. And growing in the Lord. Some are currently members of our local church here in Yei.

The Winners Party (a gathering of all previous and present winners) comes up tomorrow 8^th November. We’ll be casting the vision of this Marathon, teach on The Race of Life and certainly have a blast of raw fun.

Enjoy the photos.

Rev Yemi Ayodele presenting the new Trophy to the Mayor of Yei Municipality.

 

The Students preparing for the Marathon. This was no ordinary race.

Rev Yemi Ayodele inspecting and connecting with the students as they prepared. This was no ordinary race.

Uche, setting the prizes in order. This was not an ordinary race.

 

The girls waiting for the whistle. The tension was high.

 

As usual, they all took-off in high spirits and with a dash

 

As they ascended the first hill, the possible winners began to separate themselves from the crowd.

 

Some arrived the finish line with a broad smile. This was no ordinary race.

 

Just 10 meters from the finish line, she fainted and others passed by to win the prizes. This was certainly not an ordinary race.

 

It was grueling but the medical team was equal to the task. It was no ordinary race.

 

Some fell by the wayside and had to be carried 

 

They missed the prizes but were not left alone. This was no ordinary race.

 

While some were congratulated, others got much needed comfort from friends. This was no ordinary race.

She took the 1st position.

 

Their joy was our joy. It was not an ordinary race.

 

Yei Girls Secondary School won the Mayor’s Trophy.

 

Students of Yei Girls celebrating their well deserved victory.

 

Victory has many siblings, relatives and friends. Yei Girls and the crowd in joyous mood.

 

Yes!!! He won the 1st Position. It means so much. This was no ordinary race.

 

1st Position!! His friends would carry him home on their hands and heads… with JOY

 

Uche having a private moment with the 20 winners after the marathon

 

The County Education Director made a remarkable speech, motivating the winners and encouraging the others.

More photos with their stories later…

God honors obedient small steps of faith with little displays and increments of the anticipated future that propels us to tenaciously pursue the vision He’s graced us with.

Back in 2008, it was Mubarak. He was a secondary school student. His story is told here. Getting across the borders with the gospel in the Nuba Mountains, for his Muslim people was not negotiable. Even if it meant death.

Then there was Mahadi Kuku, whom I met when he was a student here in Yei. His story is told here. He’s also chasing his dream-  planting churches and reaching the lost among his vastly unreached Muslim peoples in the Nuba Mountains.

Now, here’s Santino Kenyi. Currently a student of Nehemiah Secondary School in Yei. This young man is undoubtedly gifted with the grace for long distance running. In his first attempt in 2012, he came 3^rd. He has come first twice in a row now.

Sharing his testimony last Sunday at the 2014 Mini-Marathon Winners’ Party, he said, “In 2012 when I ran this race for the first time, I didn’t believe the organizers were serious about paying school fees for the winners… but my friend in school Angelo convinced me to run. That year he came first and I came third… When they paid our school fees, I was so happy and surprised. I began to take this race serious…”

Sometime this year, Santino heard of a national sports event in Juba and traveled on his own to participate. Though he was poorly kitted and not prepared, he shocked himself and the crowd, winning the second position.

He said a sports official in Juba asked him, “How is it that you, coming from down there (referring to Yei, which compared to Juba is not as developed) took the second place?” He told them of the Mini-Marathon organized in Yei for students and how he discovered his talent from there.

A man he’d never met, who was moved by his success gave him money on the spot to get an International Passport and thereafter, a flight ticket to travel out for another sports event.

Fighting back tears of joy he said, “When the man gave me the ticket, immediately I remembered what Daddy (Rev Yemi Ayodele) prophesied during the Winners’ Party in 2012, that some of us will be given tickets to travel to many countries because of this marathon. I couldn’t believe it was coming to pass for me… This marathon has changed my life.”

That’s what we see. Transformed lives, discovering their purpose under God, chasing it, making Him known and changing the destinies of others through it.

Representing South Sudan and even winning laurels are not the most important things for Santino. He’s beginning to appreciate the blessing of knowing Jesus in a personal way and relishing the joy of telling others about Him, using the ultimate race, the Race of Life, as his guide.

We’ve helped Santino ignite the wick in his life but the most important ingredient is the oil and that, he must have in abundance if this light will glow and last.

Our responsibility to him and other youths like him, is discipleship. We cannot afford to release them into the world of sports without anchoring their souls in the truth the gospel presents . This is where we need help.

My time with him and others like him here in Yei is seasonal and limited. Anyhow, I’m making the most it.  God, in His mercy and wisdom, continues to gift us with little peeks of the anticipated future, of the ministry He has saddled us with.   

This land is awash with raw talents like Santino. See other stories here, here and here, from past Marathon events.

 If you are interested in discipling or coaching a few, for long-term or short-term,  let’s connect . The future is as bright as the promises of God.