If someone told me going into today that this was going to be one of my best days on the race, I would have lifted an eyebrow and said, “are you sure?”
As you know, I am in Honduras. Coming into this month I heard over and over reasons why I should not come here. While in Europe it was from news headlines and while in Guatemala from fellow travelers, yet there was no way around it. God called me to 11 in 11 and this is where the race was headed. So, I put my fear aside and pressed on with God’s promises in His Word on my heart and the hope of sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the world.
At 8 am today we loaded a yellow school bus (surprisingly this is the first month that we are traveling by school bus- usually its by foot or tricycle or sometimes even charter bus) and headed out to Amarateca Colony (one of the poorest neighborhoods near Tegucigalpa) to cheer on the kids playing futbol and share Jesus with the people in the area. Hearing about rough things that had happened in colonies like this one in the past I started diving into my Bible as we road along the mountainous road.
Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.” This was the first verse I turned to. That’s all I needed- Thank you Jesus. I was pumped!
Upon arrival we prayed for our time and the people in the colony. Its always important to cover ministry and our days out and a about in prayer.
Unloading the bus we came to a dirt soccer field. There were numerous teams of children of all ages in uniform. This looked legit and it was, because half way through the day my fellow squad mates and I were pulled out there to play against the girls team and THERE WAS A REFFEREE. Why these sports games always have to be televised/ reported, I do not know. (I guess they love playing the Americans because they always win. HAHA- maybe they forgot to mention that most of us have never played and spent most of our childhood in tap, jazz and ballet- lol) We were all handed jerseys to play in and out came the war paint. I went for a uni-brow. I thought it would be most intimidating.
Since I had played goalie in Swaziland once and did pretty well, I thought that goalie would be the best position for me to play, especially in flip flops.
The boys game ended and we were off. As we traveled out to the field I started recognizing faces. Turns out the other team we were playing were down a few girls so they pulled other racers to be on their team too. We prayed all together and the pastor gave a quick encouraging word and then the game began.
Right off the bat I blocked 2 goals and later on a 3rd. Unfortunately though it wasn’t enough. The few Honduran girls on the opposing team were good enough to win the game. But not without a fight. Yes- one of our gals scored a goal and boy did we make a show of it. I mean… we learned from the best- WORLD CUP 2010 (I will have to say that watching that helped me a lot today, so thank you Lisa Ching for being so dedicated with me)! Final score 1 to 5. Our coaches have their work cut out for them. We are going back next week to play again. Woop Woop!
After that I peaced out to go to the bathroom and had an amazing chance to pray with 2 Honduran woman and a squad mate for a gentleman and his family. It breaks my heart when people see me and say that they want to come to the USA. Can you take me? I just want to say- its not the land of milk and honey that you think it is. Its hard. Anyway, these women prayed with so much power and love- it was amazing. Something I will never forget.
Upon coming back to the field I saw that no one was playing and thought…’this is odd.’, but then I noticed all the kids, coaches and racers were seated listening to a message from Pastor Armando (a man who traded being a professional futbol player, lawyer and teacher to become a full time pastor- a real example of sacrifice for the kingdom of God). 40 kids and young adults made the decision to follow Christ today!! I teared up. THIS IS WHY I CAME ON THE RACE! To see lives be effected by the love of Jesus Christ and to see people be set free from a life of darkness.
At the end of the day we all hugged and said our goodbyes. “Hasta Sabado que viene- See you next Saturday,” as I hugged and high fived the kids goodbye.
I seriously can’t wait until next week! This day was truly blessed. Please say a prayer for the new believers and our continued safety.
As you know, I am in Honduras. Coming into this month I heard over and over reasons why I should not come here. While in Europe it was from news headlines and while in Guatemala from fellow travelers, yet there was no way around it. God called me to 11 in 11 and this is where the race was headed. So, I put my fear aside and pressed on with God’s promises in His Word on my heart and the hope of sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the world.
At 8 am today we loaded a yellow school bus (surprisingly this is the first month that we are traveling by school bus- usually its by foot or tricycle or sometimes even charter bus) and headed out to Amarateca Colony (one of the poorest neighborhoods near Tegucigalpa) to cheer on the kids playing futbol and share Jesus with the people in the area. Hearing about rough things that had happened in colonies like this one in the past I started diving into my Bible as we road along the mountainous road.
Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.” This was the first verse I turned to. That’s all I needed- Thank you Jesus. I was pumped!
Upon arrival we prayed for our time and the people in the colony. Its always important to cover ministry and our days out and a about in prayer.
Unloading the bus we came to a dirt soccer field. There were numerous teams of children of all ages in uniform. This looked legit and it was, because half way through the day my fellow squad mates and I were pulled out there to play against the girls team and THERE WAS A REFFEREE. Why these sports games always have to be televised/ reported, I do not know. (I guess they love playing the Americans because they always win. HAHA- maybe they forgot to mention that most of us have never played and spent most of our childhood in tap, jazz and ballet- lol) We were all handed jerseys to play in and out came the war paint. I went for a uni-brow. I thought it would be most intimidating.
Since I had played goalie in Swaziland once and did pretty well, I thought that goalie would be the best position for me to play, especially in flip flops.
The boys game ended and we were off. As we traveled out to the field I started recognizing faces. Turns out the other team we were playing were down a few girls so they pulled other racers to be on their team too. We prayed all together and the pastor gave a quick encouraging word and then the game began.
Right off the bat I blocked 2 goals and later on a 3rd. Unfortunately though it wasn’t enough. The few Honduran girls on the opposing team were good enough to win the game. But not without a fight. Yes- one of our gals scored a goal and boy did we make a show of it. I mean… we learned from the best- WORLD CUP 2010 (I will have to say that watching that helped me a lot today, so thank you Lisa Ching for being so dedicated with me)! Final score 1 to 5. Our coaches have their work cut out for them. We are going back next week to play again. Woop Woop!
After that I peaced out to go to the bathroom and had an amazing chance to pray with 2 Honduran woman and a squad mate for a gentleman and his family. It breaks my heart when people see me and say that they want to come to the USA. Can you take me? I just want to say- its not the land of milk and honey that you think it is. Its hard. Anyway, these women prayed with so much power and love- it was amazing. Something I will never forget.
Upon coming back to the field I saw that no one was playing and thought…’this is odd.’, but then I noticed all the kids, coaches and racers were seated listening to a message from Pastor Armando (a man who traded being a professional futbol player, lawyer and teacher to become a full time pastor- a real example of sacrifice for the kingdom of God). 40 kids and young adults made the decision to follow Christ today!! I teared up. THIS IS WHY I CAME ON THE RACE! To see lives be effected by the love of Jesus Christ and to see people be set free from a life of darkness.
At the end of the day we all hugged and said our goodbyes. “Hasta Sabado que viene- See you next Saturday,” as I hugged and high fived the kids goodbye.
I seriously can’t wait until next week! This day was truly blessed. Please say a prayer for the new believers and our continued safety.
