Futbol!

Who would have thought that God can use the things we love to do to bring Him the glory? My husband was invited to play futbol (soccer) with a group of Hondurans and Guatemalans. He has been playing for almost a year. The first Monday that I went I was so excited to join in a game, much to my dismay they told me, no chicas! It is too rough they said, the teams are full, you can cheer but you can't play during a real game. I was bummed, I love soccer and I was really hoping to get better! I resigned myself to sitting on the sidelines. Little did I know that God would use that time to deepen the relationships with the players girlfriends. I heard so many stories! It was a door into their lives and into honduran drug dealing and culture. I found out who was pregnant, what the drama of the week was and I got to hear about the girls struggles, hopes and dreams. The girls shared how they wanted jobs rather than selling drugs. They told me about how it is the norm for their men to cheat on them and they told me how much it hurts. One woman shared that her 3 children were still in Honduras and she had fled due to domestic violence. They told me how they regretted losing their virginity as teens. They shared how scared they were of pregnancy and motherhood. Most of them shared about how broken their families were and how they had grown up on the streets flirting with gangs and drug culture as a means of survival. Sitting the sidelines gave me an education and and empathy for the youth of Oakland!

When winter set in, the sidelines were cold! The girls slowly began to fade away and then stopped coming to games because of the temp; I followed suit! This week it was unusually warm so I decided to hangout because I really wanted to get to know more of the dealers who play on Mondays as well as more of the guatemalan day laborers! Something told me to bring my cleats and shin guards, maybe just maybe I could practice with them before a game.

Well practice I did, I saw a youth that I knew and he let me take some shots on goal. Soon others boys were giving me pointers! They were really helpful and encouraging! They asked me, you have boyfriend? No, I have husband, he is the gringo who is playing on the other field. Oh they said, he is buen hombre (good man)! Their game was about to start so I jokingly said, well if you need a jugadora (player), I am open to playing! I was so surprised when they actually took me up on it! They asked if I had played before and I told them that I had played in High school with girls. They sized me up and gave me a shot! The other team was fine with me playing until my team got a goal, lol. Then they said, you have too many players! I volunteered to leave but my teamates rushed to my defense and said let the girl play, she doesn't count! Finally the other team consented and I was able to play a full 90 minute game! I even touched the ball a couple of times! 

After the game my teamates wanted to talk, they asked me if I was a mormon and I told them No, but I do love Jesus. I told them that I had mormon friends in high school and that I really admired them because they didn't drink. The boys quickly corrected me and said well we don't discriminate, we like to drink and smoke! Most youth hide behind a mask for awhile until they know me, but not these boys. Their candid honesty was refreshing! Mateo came over and I introduced him to my new El Salvadoran teamates! They gave us their number and invited me to come and play again! 

It sounds funny but it was one of the best afternoons of my life! I love how God uses a crazy thing like soccer to build His kingdom. It confirmed my belief that we are one big family! I love how something as simple as soccer can break down walls and open conversations about faith =) Thank you Jesus that this is my calling simply to love in the context that you have placed me in and to share the hope that I have in you!

 

 

 

 

 

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