A Perfect Rose

It's Wednesday, 9pm. I just got home from practice with the Mirador team. My feet hurt from the half hour walk and my nose is red and running from the cold. Why is the first thing I'm doing updating my blog? Because I want to share about a wonderful blessing that I received tonight.

Chuy, who's my co-coach, couldn't come tonight because he has exams this week. Running practice "sola" is always a challenge. The first time I was by myself I almost gave up halfway through. It's hard to get the kids to listen. Even harder for a female foreigner who isn't an expert at futbol. Tonight because it was so cold I knew that only a few of the chicos would show up. I didn't mind it, in fact it's easier to control them when it's a smaller group. Also, I had a plan.

I told them that we would only practice for about half an hour, but that we would practice "duro" (hard). At the end of practice those who were behaving well would get a prize. A prize that I kept secret until the end. My plan worked, it was a great practice! They were all training hard, and I didn't have to repeat myself too much. I have a newly established "three strikes you're out" policy and unfortunately one kid did get out, but there were 5 others that reaped the reward.

Before I told them what they had won (I know you're dying to know too, patience) I gave a little message. Each practice I share a bit about the bible in some way, and then we pray. For the month of February we're learning about respect. Last week we discussed self-respect, and this week the topic is respecting authority (a lesson they desperately need to learn). I shared with them 1 Peter 2:16-17. As I was talking, an old man walked up and offered me a beautiful, perfect rose. I was really confused at first, and didn't take it right away because it reminded me of how some gypsy women in Spain would trap tourists into paying to get their fortune read. Anyways, the man told me, "My wife and I wanted to give this to you because we heard you teaching these boys about God".

Isn't that awesome!?! I was so touched. After saying 'gracias' and finishing my lesson, I announced that I would be buying all of the chicos tacos (my new favorite food!). They were very pleasantly surprised, they had thought it would be something small like a piece of candy. Walking down the street and waiting for our orders gave us a chance to just hang out and have fun. Even though they give me grief sometimes, those chicos are really growing on me.

I was smiling most of the way home, thinking about how my life is full of wonderful blessings. When I looked at the rose I got the funny idea that God was asking me to be his valentine. Inviting me to continue working with him, for him. Have more amazing adventures.

The answer, of course, is yes.

Ministry

I coach futbol every night of the week, except Friday. Back in November I suggested to Jose Carlos and Pancho that I could teach ultimate frisbee on Fridays to one of my teams. They both thought that was a good idea and we agreed that I would start when we got back in January. Jose Carlos encouraged me to start a frisbee team in the Mirador neighborhood, since it's closer to my house and I can walk there. Also, it's one of the poorest neighborhoods we work in, and a lot of kids there grow up on the street because there's no one to look after them.

So at one of our first futbol practices I announced that I would be there on Friday to start a frisbee team. A few of the chicos seemed interested. When I showed up at 6:30 on Friday none of the guys from the team were there, but there were a bunch of little kids playing around. I started talking with them, and soon we were throwing a disc around. Half an hour later 3 guys showed up to play frisbee. What could I do with only three? So I invited the little kids to come play with us. They were super excited. Juan, one of the older boys, didn't appreciate having to play with "kinders".

I had an awesome time! The kids were respectful and listened to directions. That's something that the Mirador futbol team rarely does. When I was leaving all the kids asked when I would be back. I told them that I'm there coaching futbol to the big kids twice a week. Adrianna, one of the most outgoing asked, "Can Monday and Wednesday be futbol for the big kids and Friday be games for the younger kids?" I told her maybe, but I had actually had the same exact idea!

However, yesterday I was thinking about skipping game time. Now, I know that sounds shocking, "Kendelle didn't feel like playing with little kids!?" It wasn't the game time, it was more the 30 minute walk there and back home I was thinking about. I had already had a long day. All of this week and last week I've been helping Gris with the sexuality program, "Yo Me Espero" (I Will Wait). I've enjoyed having something to do in the mornings, even if it means getting up early. Ok, it's not that early, but still. After we present the program to a middle school, I teach her and Giezi English. Yesterday we had an extra long English class and then went downtown for some tacos, they're my new obsession!! I was treating Gris and Giezi because they've been kindly providing me with lunch for the past two weeks.

So anyways, I was tired and thinking about just going home. But then I gave myself a little pep talk, "Even if just a few kids show up, it will worth it to them. I told them I would be there, I don't want to let them down, they get enough of that from other people in their lives. Why do I think it's ok to skip this? Because it's not technically part of my job? Yes, it's a bit above and beyond, but I've made the commitment. What do I think ministry is? Just following a job description? Being a missionary is about making sacrifices!"

When I got up to the field where we play, a few girls came up to me, all excited, "Kandy!!". One of them gave me a piece of chocolate, then the other two ran off to bring me candy too. Then Brian, who's five, came sprinting down the street, "Kaaaaaaaaaaandy!!" and jumped in my arms, literally. At that moment I felt so blessed, and a little guilty for thinking about ditching them. I was so glad I went, and promised myself I would be there every Friday. On the long walk home, I was thinking about how it's funny that this isn't the ministry I came to Mexico to do. However, I have the best time with them, and actually feel like I'm making a difference.



P.S. Recently Jose Carlos named Giezi as the new Director of Monterrey, so he could focus more on his responsibilities as the national director. Please pray for Giezi and the rest of the team during this transition.

Esfuerzo!

"El da esfuerzo al cansado, y multiplica las fuerzas al que no tiene ningunas"
-Isaias 40:29

(now in English for all you 'gringos', jajaja)

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak"
-Isaiah 40:29

This is a verse that I taught both of my futbol teams back in November. Now practically every chico has it memorized, and I quiz them on it every other practice or so. I've recommended that they meditate on the verse during a really hard practice or game. Last Tuesday I was running practice with Real de Mines, and we were doing a round of sprints. Mike was falling behind, and I was trying to encourage him to finish strong. Mike is one of the most dedicated team members; shows up for every practice, always on time. However, he has really low self esteem and sometimes gives up on drills if he's in last place. He's also is hesitant to try new things. I had to beg him to learn how to throw a frisbee!

So as I was trying to cheer on Mike, Pablo was flying through the sprints. Pablo is also very dedicated to the team, and he's also one of our best players. As he was about to lap Mike again, he grabbed him by the shoulders, leaned in and said, "El da esfuerzo al cansado Mike!"

Pablo was using the verse I taught them to inspire his teammate! It was such a heartwarming moment. Probably my best ministry moment to date here in Monterrey.


p.s. Happy Groundhog Day!!!

(because I just happen to be posting an update on my favorite holiday)