Missions Blog

Exciting things are taking place as Vapor continues to grow and expand its activities around the globe. In 2012, we have plans to initiate two new centers in Ethiopia and Haiti, to complete our newest center in Dilaire, Haiti, and to continue improving our three operating centers in Africa.

Upcoming Centers

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Vapor is working to establish its next African center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city. We are hoping to work in Korah slum, where many people have leprosy or are related to someone who has leprosy. Vapor is honored to serve people in Korah who not only live in poverty, but who are also stigmatized by this disease.

Ouanaminthe, Haiti
In addition to completing our newest center in Dilaire, Haiti, Vapor’s field representatives on the ground are making encouraging progress toward securing property for a center in nearby Ouanaminthe. This bustling commercial center is located on Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic.

Under Construction

Dilaire Center – Haiti
Vapor’s newest center continues to take shape in Dilaire, a rural village in northeastern Haiti. At the center site, the land has been cleared and roadways have been completed. Construction of soccer fields, buildings and a master water project has begun. Vapor representatives Christian and Celine Nkulikiye are continuing to disciple men and women within the community, identifying leaders and equipping them to run the center upon its completion.

Improvements to Operating Centers

Gichagi Center – Kenya
Planned improvements to Vapor’s center in Gichagi, Kenya, this year include the installation of a pavilion. This covered area, from which spectators can watch soccer matches and races, will also provide a venue for discipleship sessions and for renting out to the community for weddings and other events. Improvements to the running track are also planned for 2012.

Kawangware Center – Kenya
Many things are taking place at the center in Nairobi’s Kawangware slum this year, beginning with an overhaul of the center’s master water project (the Ruth Well). Aboveground storage tanks will be replaced by a water tower that will provide more water pressure. These improvements will increase the center’s ability to generate self-sustaining revenue through wholesale water sales to commercial distributors in the community. Improving the fields and carrying out minor alterations to the center’s facilities are also among the goals for Vapor’s Kawangware center this year.

Togoville Center – Togo
A priority for 2012 at the Togoville center is to complete the translation of the new children’s discipleship curriculum into the local language, French. The curriculum consists of studies specifically designed to teach Biblical principles to children in Vapor’s leagues during the discipleship sessions that follow practices and games.

Vapor’s indigenous staff in Togoville learned much during their visit from International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) representative Dr. Steve Phillips. Dr. Phillips, IPNI’s U.S. director for the Southeast, volunteered his time last month to teach and train Vapor’s Togoville staff in sustainable farming techniques, with the hope of increasing crop yields and boosting the financial sustainability of the center. Vapor staff members also plan to build an additional poultry house for their egg-laying operation in order to increase production. By improving these two microbusinesses in 2012, the center will be on its way to financial independence.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. They are truly making a difference. Forty centers, in 40 third-world environments, by 2017.

Life is a vapor,

Micah McElveen
www.vaporsports.org