You know those people that as soon as you meet them you just click? The conversation flows easily and after a short period of time you feel like good friends. This is how it was the afternoon I met Rahel.
Rahel moved to South Africa from Germany about 3 years ago. As we talked I got to hear her story of how God worked in her life and called her far away from home, and gave her such a love for this country and it’s people. Rahel also loves football so it’s no surprise that the ministry she has been called to is Ambassadors Football(AF).
There are three things that this ministry has identified as area’s that they want to bring light to; the gang culture of the community, the lack of Father figures and the lack of hope. Their plan for doing this? Football. Their vision is to be able to use a sport that so many people are passionate about to bring about the “transformation of individuals and communities through indigenous football outreach.”
Many of the people we have met this month have stated that the lack of fathers in these kids lives creates an environment that sends them looking to fit in else where. “Major studies have shown that violent crime, drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide all relate more to fatherlessness than any other single factor.” Ambassadors Football’s coaches serve a dual purpose; the obvious is to coach football. The second is to serve as that father figure in the lives of the kids they coach. Ambassadors Football reaches out to churches, communities and schools to bring this football program to many people. They have football teams through out the community and in the prison.
Hope Academy is a large part of the ministry that AF has in the Cape Town area. Football is once again the medium used to reach the inmates of Drakenstein Prison and to seek to rehabilitate them. This program is for 25 prisoners from age 18-28 who want to see their life take a different route and love football. Through football, a bible study, one-on-one mentoring sessions and college courses some of the members commit their life to Christ, and go on to share what they have learned with others.
One testimony of this is Buja. He was 22 years old when he was sent to prison for 10 years for a serious crime. In 2011 he was selected to be a part of Hope Academy. His life was radically changed as he came to know God as Father and got to experience the genuine love of the coaches. He was released in 2013 and has continued to volunteer with AF, South Africa. He now coaches football teams at schools and is able to be that father figure to so many youth that need that example in their lives.
Do me a favor? Check out their website; www.ambassadorsfootball.org/za
Join me in praying for them as they continue to seek to meet the biggest need of their community – showing them what our Fathers love looks like.
Part of Team Nahala with Rahel
