2012 AIA Pro Soccer Tour
I,
Mike, have a confession. When I was asked to chaplain one of our
professional MLS soccer teams, I had ulterior motives. I was not that
interested in working with pro athletes as individuals -- I really
just wanted to get them mentoring kids in Compton. As the team
chaplain I could push hard for this to happen.
Now
though, I realize the full blessing of getting to know and grow
together with some amazing players. When Justin and Michael gave 3
years to come and mentor Compton kids, I had a front row seat
watching God do incredible things in their own lives. Even after they
were both traded to other teams, we have been able to still build
into each other.
In
October, I challenged these guys and a newer player, James, to
participate in Athletes in Action’s first ever missions trip for
pro athletes. Michael and James accepted! Together with our whole
family, another 4 pro players, a trainer, a girlfriend, and handful
of AIA staff, we headed to South Africa in the middle of December.
During
the first half of the trip, the players stayed in homes of several
pro African players, followed them in their team schedules, and led
Bible studies with their teammates. Having US players present drew
more South African players to the meetings. We were able to have
significant ministry impact with four pro teams -- great
relationships were strengthened or launched! At the Bible study Zach
and I attended (with the
BidVest Wits from
Johannesburg), a record was set for attendance!
The
second half of the trip was spent in some of the poverty-stricken
townships. We visited two churches, two orphanages and an AIDS
hospice, with kids ranging from infancy to 19 years old. We were
blown away by the vitality and life of these kids that were all taken
in from the streets! After we served at these facilities (cleaning,
cooking, playing with the children, etc.), the players would have a
game with kids from the facility or the local neighborhood.
Afterwards, players shared their stories to all those who had
gathered, testifying of how God had worked in their lives and
encouraging the kids to trust in Him.
In
the times that Michael shared, I could see from his expressions that
God was working in him even then. He shared about playing on dirt
fields at age 5 in his home country of Sierra Leone, and how God
provided the only immigration lottery pass available for him
to move to the US to be with his mom. He shared about God providing
soccer opportunities that kept him from getting into trouble, about
how much his mom sacrificed to keep him on quality teams, and how God
touched him at a low point his freshman year in college. It seemed as
if playing on the African dirt brought him back full circle and
opened his eyes to see how God had constantly worked in his life,
though he often had missed it at the time. This unique glimpse of
God’s sovereignty and provision effected Michael in a profound and
permanent way. This is a moment I had prayed to see from the first
time I challenged him to come, a most special of many great moments
on the trip.
 |
| Michael sharing his story at the first orphanage. |
We
are so thankful for how God worked in Michael, as well as all the
players. Three of them were so impacted by their time as “pro
missionaries” that they asked to be baptized in the hostel pool on
the last day of the trip! They wanted to make a public declaration of
their commitment to put Christ above everything else in their lives.
What a privilege to share this moment with them -- and for our
children to do the same. An ongoing partnership in is the works with
AIA in South Africa, where the we would continue to send pro players
there on an annual basis. What a privilege to be a part of pioneering
such a ministry!
Many
of you received a letter from Sydney and Zach, as they had to raise
their own funds (a great experience!) to attend this trip. We are SO
GRATEFUL for the generosity of so many of you that blessed them
abundantly and let them see firsthand that God is able to provide for
all of our needs! We asked them to each write a paragraph sharing
their own perspective on the trip:
Sydney
South
Africa was an experience I will never forget. I got to see God’s
work firsthand in everyday life, yet a life that isn’t mine. I saw
God work in ways I don’t see in the states. I saw wild animals up
close and experienced majestic beauty in ways watching TV will never
accomplish. I got to feel a lion’s growl deep inside my veins, see
his teeth, and all his might. I experienced hospitality that my
US-acculturated self literally couldn’t believe. The beauty of the
people and the culture whacked me in the face and I was astonished.
Not only were we blessed by the people who welcomed us there, but
also with the people we got to go with. God blessed us with a trip of
a lifetime, one that came at a young age. Therefore, I’m spoiled.
Great, first missions trip, and I’m spoiled! God’s good right?!
All I can hope now is that I will be able to go back!
Zachary
My
favorite part of South Africa was the townships and the animal park.
I liked them because they were fun and interesting. I had so much fun
in South Africa. In the animal park, I got to pet baby lions and
tigers and saw a baby rhino. The township was fun because we
connected with so many kids. I learned that life is different
everywhere, but God is ever present.
Pray
for us that this experience with extreme poverty, soccer outreach and
cross- cultural ministry would continue to impact us and help us be
exactly what God wants us to be here in Compton. Also pray for
Michael that God would continue to use this experience to strengthen
his walk and prepare his heart for all that God has for him.
Mike
& Tonya, Sydney and Zach
More favorite pictures!
Video of our first game
Video of Dasan having fun with the kids!
