On Saturday Pastor Gift, along with a few translators, 35 boys, and myself headed out to the town down the road for the first of many soccer tournaments happening when school is out. We split up into three teams, the youngest kids, the older kids, and the middle age kids. The youngest kids went first, heading out on the hard dirt field with their black jerseys on and bare feet. The field was at least as big as the one I played on in college, but the kids worked hard running all over. When the whistle blew to end the game, the kids ran off the field with their first win! As they finished up their game, the oldest boys began warming up. These boys are legit and also mostly play in their bare feet. They worked really hard and didn’t listen to well to what I said, but played more as a team than they have the entire two weeks. They came off the field with their first win as well. The last team- the middle aged boys and ones that had not yet played-came out in their green jerseys. The team they played against was older and most practiced than they were, but they put up a really good fight, coming off the field with a loss.
It was really fun to see these kids that I have been working with for the past two weeks play this weekend. Some of them really soaked up the skills that were taught, and others didn’t absorb them as well. Sometimes it is hard to break old habits you have. At the end of the day, Pastor Gift and the two other pastors we were playing against gave a short talk giving glory to the Lord and reminding the boys what is the most important and praying over them.
As I walk along the road or head up to the showers, I can’t help but smile when you hear one of the boys call out, “Hey Coach!” or “Coach Hanna!” These kids are simply amazing and have a desire to play to their best abilities. It takes me back to the good days when I had games under the lights in high school or when I would play against the rival teams in college. It makes me sad that those days are over, but I am so thankful for having the chance to play and coach soccer again. I don’t want to leave this place…my heart is breaking just thinking about pulling out of here on Thursday morning!
