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 Written by Robyn Baitcher,
2010 Mission Team member from Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church
Close your eyes and imagine a middle school girls’ soccer game. Adolescent players in smart uniforms, verdant grass, florescent shin guards and a teenage referee in a checkered, silly looking shirt. You may have seen this somewhere – whistles blowing and bottled water, super tall seventh graders smashing into each other as they fight over the ball, sending it careening into the goalie’s gloved hands or past her, to the tune of triumphant cheering and high fives.
Now, put that image away for a moment and let’s restart: Conjure up a dusty, brownish field. Two goal posts with no nets mark either end, sidelines are loosely defined by sets of children watching the game. The players are young women and they are barefoot and joyous, tumbling into each other but also stopping to help one another up again, beaming into the windy morning that eventually breaks into a bright and warm afternoon during rounds of play.
Rhythmic African drumbeats float in the air. The cheering section shouts Bible songs, stamping their feet. When there is a goal for either team, the girls glow and they stretch their arms out like wings, running with their eyes turned to the sky. The field is rushed by the children on the sidelines who pile into each other and roar with the players – the scene is the embodiment of pure enthusiasm and happiness. This is probably not a soccer game you have ever seen before. It is the yearly Faith Works soccer tournament in Lusaka, Zambia run by Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia, and it is an oasis, a bright spot in the lives of over 100 girls ages 11 to 15, a project to bring them together with a positive energy outlet.
The World Cup was going on at the same time with thousands of dollars being spent on uniforms, shirts, players, etc. These girls played on dirt and rocks in their bare feet, and I guarantee you that they had more fun than any of the World Cup teams! 
For just $25 a year you can help provide basic expenses, giving a young boy or girl the opportunity to be educated. To sponsor a child’s education for one year, click on DONATE, then choose FAITH WORKS from the drop-down list.
Read a letter from a Faith Works student Veronika's Letter | Read a story about Food for Mother | Read about an International award we received for the Faith Works Schools
Helen DeVos Christian School |
