SMTC - TRAINNING (First week of July)




Coaches from all over the world flew into Cleveland, to do this trainning on soccer, to be able to do the soccer camps, we prepare mentally, and put it on practice coaching each other, but most importantly we prepare spiritually. Keeping in mind that God is the only one that can move the hearts of the kids and the families we are going to meet and have the privilege to love on and share the gospel with.


It's been incredible to see how our attitudes and actions have such a huge impact, it's not only about saying the right things and hoping for opportunitites to talk about God, but showing ture love. God's love goes so much beyond that, it's in the little things and the big things, they are all watching and will notice what's coming out of you, so we have to make sure we are getting filled with things of the Spirit, so we can pour that out.


So that first week we got to know each other and was such a great bond and harmony in the group.


FIRST CAMP (Parkside Church - second week of July)


It was awesome to be all together, these kids were so amazing. Most of them have heard the gospel, but it's so good to see the impact it makes in their heart for them to see it lived out, for them to know it doesn't stay only on theory and that following Christ is exciting, real, challenging but very rewarding, and the top reward, to know our amazing God!


My kids were so good, ages 6-8, they all said they had Jesus in their hearts, and we had such good opportunities to share about how we can practically follow Christ, what does that mean on a daily basis. It's so cool, I can't help but wonder if these are going to be future missionaries, pastors, or just strong christians sharing their faith and shinning for God.


SECOND CAMP (Scraton Road Bible Church - third week of July)



This week the coaches split in different directions, it was sad to leave, it just started to feel like a family, and I guess we still are, just spread out. My group went to the inner city, still in Cleveland. Most of these kids have been abused in some form, and come from broken homes, which I relate to, also there are a lot of spanish speaking kids, so it's great to connect with them in their language also.





On last year's tour, this was my favorite camp, it's very special. The church that we partner in this camp, Scranton Road Bible Church, has such a heart for this neighborhood. When you come in to this church they just make you feel so welcomed and like if you were home, it's such a warm feeling.




I had a very challenging group, ages from 5 to 8, and most of them with no soccer experience. Our focus is more to love them, be able to connect with them and somehow introduce Him who can really make a difference in their lives. And what a week it was! I had 9 kids, and it was so good, it was hard to keep their attention and at the end of the day, just when you feel like a failure, thinking they didn't really feel your love because you kept disciplining them, or thinking that they weren't listening at all, they run to you, give you a huge warm hug, and tell you they are excited about coming tomorrow!!




Also, during the camp, when you are so close to pulling your hair, we stop and pray, I ask if any of them wants to pray, and this little girl does, and thanks God in such a sincere way, in how she is having so much fun and is loving being here. It just reminded me that this might be the only week when they truly feel loved, valued and someone paying attention to them, getting encouragement, etc.


This camp is probably the most rewarding, we get to see a more noticeable inmediate impact in these kids than in the others were they have a more stable environment at home. And I loved that I got to see a few kids from last year, and show them a little consistency!