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Written by Sarah Lucia
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Wednesday, 15 July 2009 16:10 |
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Vydaste, Theo jean, Claude, Johnmaryvienne, Regis (aka coach or chief), Paulo, Urick, Musone, Habineza, John Paul...These are the names of some of the boys who walk an hour or more to meet at the dusty field at the bottom of this huge hill to play football. They each have their own story. Some have a parent, some have brothers and sisters, some have no family left. They are 14-20 years old. Most eat little more than once a day, all appear malnourished. None have families who can afford to pay school fees so that they can have an education. A few have found any work. Since noone can go to school, they meet to play footbal to pass some of the time. Serious, John and Bernard are three men who have started ministering/mentoring these boys. When they invited us to help the kids improve their soccer skills and teach them any lessons that may be important in life we did not expect what we found among these boys. While many kids are quite wild here because of lack of mentorship/good example/attention, we found these boys to have learned discipline from playing football together. While many kids here push and fight eachother over the tiniest disagreement or opportunity, these boys are gentle with eachother, affectionate even. They are like a strong brotherhood that does not waver. The only thing I can compare it to is how I had my 5 or6 best friends in middle school with whom I did everything, except these boys are 20 in number. They travel together, share food together, play foot ball, even do gymnatics together sometimes. I tell you so much about them because we have become friends during my time here and they hold a special place in my heart. During my time here I have tried to surprise them and bless them in several ways, but they just continue to bless me ten times over. Just a few more days with these boys, I will miss them so much when it is time to go. I pray that I will see them again whether in this life or thereafter, I will be praising God on that day.
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