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.