What's up guys how is everyone? Life is good and the weather is sunny... except at about 4pm every day we get a good african shower for about 45 minutes and then its sunny again. I practice with the Love Mercy soccer team at 4:30pm everyday & it feels like 95% of the time we are playing in the rain or in the mud. It's the rainy season which is equivalent to winter here. Somedays I think I slide more than I run. Apparently its a better workout? All I know is that i'm good and tired of getting muddy EVERYDAY.
There are about 30-60 guys who come out to practice on the shotty little field we play at everyday. The field condition is a nightmare, its a miracle there are as few injuries as there are. The boys range in age from about 15 to late 20's. They are all very good athletes but most find it very tough to afford shoes to play in. The soccer shoes all show evidence of being to the cobbler more time than once if they have them. I have guys who show up every day that don't even own soccer cleats to play in. Its humbling... I am sponsoring two teams at the moment. I play, coach, and sponsor one team and then financially support the other.
I'm slowly learning what it means to live on Kenyan time... This means if they say show up 10am set your snooze becuase nothing is going down until after 12pm. This is very irritating until you understand how to live by it. I have not learned yet. I just purchased some new uniforms for the guys that will be debuted within the next week. I have been trying to instill things like time-mangement with the players and it feels next to impossible. Discipline is not in their vocabulary and they have no idea why the crazy white guy gets so irate when they show up an hour late for practice. They laugh at me while im ready to pull my hair out. Now I know how my teachers felt. I think caning(beating with stick) should definitely be allowed in education.... I believe that by helping these guys on the soccer field I will be able to help them be successful off the field. As I develop relationships with the guys I will also be able to speak into there lives on a spiritual level that will show lasting impact. One of the leaders on the field has lived on the street for over 10 years. You can imagine the kinds of habits, mindsets and fears that are developed in an individual... In spite of enormous obstacles I am amazed by the courage and faithfullness (on-time or not) that these young men show.
We are currently 3-1 (won three games and lost one game) in league play and we should not lose another game this season. Our team is solid, and if they start listening we will not lose another game.
I'm glad the weather has finally gotten better in KC for you all. I think I could have slipped into a mild depression if I would have had to cope with the entire winter like you all did.
I have a serious prayer request..... please pray for the USA as they battle in the Worlds biggest and best tournament known to man, the WORLD CUP :) Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and financial help. Be blessed, SA.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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