March 2012 Update
VAPOR'S SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
Meet Vinny Okoth: A picture of indigenous leadership
Meet Vinny Okoth: A picture of indigenous leadership
Vapor’s center director in Gichagi has a story born from humility and servant leadership. He also happens to be a talented soccer player. And he brings one other advantage to the position—his journey to Vapor began on the streets.
Vinny Okoth was born and raised in Western Kenya, where he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. As a young adult, he moved to Nairobi (home to many professional soccer teams) with hopes of pursuing a career in the sport. Life was tough when Vinny moved away from his home. While trying to make it, he was homeless and made little to no money.
Vinny first heard about Vapor’s center in Kawangware—a slum outside Nairobi—through John, a friend and fellow soccer player in town who was heavily involved with the ministry. When he visited the center, Vinny saw the amazing things the Lord was doing through Vapor and wanted to somehow be a part of the mission.
Little did Vinny know that through his specific talents, athletic experience and many hardships, God was preparing him for a task much bigger than he could imagine. He would soon realize that God was orchestrating not only his involvement with Vapor, but also his leadership position as center director for a Vapor center.
At the same time Vinny was first learning about the ministry, Vapor was in the beginning stage of establishing its second center in Gichagi slum (about 45 minutes from Kawangware). John explained to Vinny that Brett and Trishia Ralston, a young couple from America, were moving to Kenya to establish the center during a two-year period. Soon after the Ralstons arrived in Nairobi, John introduced them to Vinny and a friendship began.
Brett decided to invite this young aspiring athlete to attend Vapor's weekly discipleship sessions in Gichagi. Vinny gladly accepted the invitation and was so eager to attend the discipleship sessions that he traveled to Gichagi each week, paying the bus fare out of the little money he had.
"When he first started coming to the discipleship sessions, I remember his humility," Brett says. "He was very soft-spoken, but he had strong leadership qualities. The other guys respected him. Trishia and I noticed his consistent attendance, even though he had to travel a distance to attend the sessions. He had a strong desire to learn about God’s Word.”
Vinny not only attended Vapor’s discipleship sessions, but also volunteered on construction projects at the site. “We saw Vinny serve at the center, sacrificing his time for no pay,” Brett says. “He had no expectation that he would get a full-time job with Vapor. His motive was truly just to help Vapor, regardless of what the ministry could offer him in return."
As they grew to know him more, the Ralstons began to see Vinny's heart for the poor. Vinny had compassion for children in the slum because he had a taste of living life on the streets and could empathize with those who live in poverty.
Brett and Trishia were amazed, as well, with how Vinny had “instant credibility about soccer” with everyone who came to play at the center. Because of his skill level and experience in the sport, people readily listened to Vinny’s training advice.
While in Gichagi, one of the Ralstons’ key tasks was to select a leader who would manage the Gichagi center upon their departure. After much prayer and evaluation, they knew Vinny was the clear choice. His particular talents and experiences made evident that Vinny had been molded for this specific leadership position with Vapor.
"We saw so much integrity in this young man,” Brett shares. “We wanted to leave the center in Vinny’s hands because we trusted him. He loves the cause, can manage and multitask, makes wise decisions as a leader, has a huge heart and is an amazing soccer player. Vinny is leading in a capacity that Trishia and I could not. We're so grateful that God led him to Vapor."
Vapor emphasizes five principles, or pillars, in its operations in the Third World. One of these principles is to establish self-sustaining centers. Many people in these environments lack opportunity but show great potential, and these are the people Vapor seeks to identify. Through a process of spiritual formation, leadership development and “specific-to-job” training, these dedicated people, like Vinny, become the indigenous leaders of the centers. They are uniquely positioned to solve problems in the most culturally appropriate way and to make the best decisions for their center and its further expansion.
Vinny Okoth was born and raised in Western Kenya, where he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. As a young adult, he moved to Nairobi (home to many professional soccer teams) with hopes of pursuing a career in the sport. Life was tough when Vinny moved away from his home. While trying to make it, he was homeless and made little to no money.
Vinny first heard about Vapor’s center in Kawangware—a slum outside Nairobi—through John, a friend and fellow soccer player in town who was heavily involved with the ministry. When he visited the center, Vinny saw the amazing things the Lord was doing through Vapor and wanted to somehow be a part of the mission.
Little did Vinny know that through his specific talents, athletic experience and many hardships, God was preparing him for a task much bigger than he could imagine. He would soon realize that God was orchestrating not only his involvement with Vapor, but also his leadership position as center director for a Vapor center.
At the same time Vinny was first learning about the ministry, Vapor was in the beginning stage of establishing its second center in Gichagi slum (about 45 minutes from Kawangware). John explained to Vinny that Brett and Trishia Ralston, a young couple from America, were moving to Kenya to establish the center during a two-year period. Soon after the Ralstons arrived in Nairobi, John introduced them to Vinny and a friendship began.
Brett decided to invite this young aspiring athlete to attend Vapor's weekly discipleship sessions in Gichagi. Vinny gladly accepted the invitation and was so eager to attend the discipleship sessions that he traveled to Gichagi each week, paying the bus fare out of the little money he had.
"When he first started coming to the discipleship sessions, I remember his humility," Brett says. "He was very soft-spoken, but he had strong leadership qualities. The other guys respected him. Trishia and I noticed his consistent attendance, even though he had to travel a distance to attend the sessions. He had a strong desire to learn about God’s Word.”
Vinny not only attended Vapor’s discipleship sessions, but also volunteered on construction projects at the site. “We saw Vinny serve at the center, sacrificing his time for no pay,” Brett says. “He had no expectation that he would get a full-time job with Vapor. His motive was truly just to help Vapor, regardless of what the ministry could offer him in return."
As they grew to know him more, the Ralstons began to see Vinny's heart for the poor. Vinny had compassion for children in the slum because he had a taste of living life on the streets and could empathize with those who live in poverty.
Brett and Trishia were amazed, as well, with how Vinny had “instant credibility about soccer” with everyone who came to play at the center. Because of his skill level and experience in the sport, people readily listened to Vinny’s training advice.
While in Gichagi, one of the Ralstons’ key tasks was to select a leader who would manage the Gichagi center upon their departure. After much prayer and evaluation, they knew Vinny was the clear choice. His particular talents and experiences made evident that Vinny had been molded for this specific leadership position with Vapor.
"We saw so much integrity in this young man,” Brett shares. “We wanted to leave the center in Vinny’s hands because we trusted him. He loves the cause, can manage and multitask, makes wise decisions as a leader, has a huge heart and is an amazing soccer player. Vinny is leading in a capacity that Trishia and I could not. We're so grateful that God led him to Vapor."
Vapor emphasizes five principles, or pillars, in its operations in the Third World. One of these principles is to establish self-sustaining centers. Many people in these environments lack opportunity but show great potential, and these are the people Vapor seeks to identify. Through a process of spiritual formation, leadership development and “specific-to-job” training, these dedicated people, like Vinny, become the indigenous leaders of the centers. They are uniquely positioned to solve problems in the most culturally appropriate way and to make the best decisions for their center and its further expansion.
WATCH THE VIDEO
To learn more about how Vapor centers become indigenously led, financially independent and self-perpetuating, click on this video link.
To learn more about how Vapor centers become indigenously led, financially independent and self-perpetuating, click on this video link.
