Futbol y Mas

This past week, we had a small team from Chicago come here. The majority of the team was comprised of college soccer players, and they came to do sports outreaches (soccer and baseball) for the kids here. The first session was Sunday afternoon, and then we had sessions both in the morning and in the afternoon the next two days, and we ended with a morning session on Wednesday. The sessions were a mix of playing soccer or baseball games, learning a few new skills or drills, and times where the guys would share with the kids. During these times, the guys took turns sharing their testimonies or explaining the Gospel and doing short illustrations of it. A lot of prayer went into the week, and God definitely answered those prayers as the sports events and the entire week in general really went great. We are also hoping and praying that some of the new kids that attended this past week will come to VBS and Club in the future.

Personally, I really enjoyed the week. As I left the first session on Sunday evening with a sore throat and a huge smile on my face, I was reminded of how much I love recreational ministry. I love playing sports (even ones I’m not good at like soccer), but even more so, I love cheering for kids, helping them understand teamwork, and getting excited with them over even the smallest accomplishment. To a see a child’s face light up when they score a goal for the first time or to give them that high-five and encouraging word when they try their best and still don’t make it yet again, brings me so much joy. Several times this week, I thought about how much I loved doing Challenge Circle in the New Orleans projects and all the cheers we used to do to get the kids pumped up about Jesus and to teach them about the importance of teamwork and not giving up. Challenge Circle in the sultry, New Orleans summer evenings (and my whole summer in general at UIM) is one of my very favorite memories and experiences, and it was so fun to experience something similar to that this week. Encouraging kids and "cheering them on" is one of the parts I love most about being a teacher as well.

I had a few other highlights as well from this week. It was neat to have other Americans around this week and especially more people to speak English with. :) Also, I really enjoyed getting to know some of the ladies and teens from the church better when they would help us prepare the meals for the team. As we’d work together to get the meals ready, shared conversations and laughter would help ease my tiredness and make it fun. Finally, I am thankful for the fact that I didn’t have to say goodbye to kids this week. As the team took last day pictures and headed back to the U.S., I was glad for the fact that I am here for longer…to keep reaching out to these children day after day, in the name of Jesus.