Act #1: Big Sisters from San Diego College
One of the biggest things that my girls lack in their lives are quality role models. They look and their friends, big sisters and moms and see an poor example of how to live their lives. Most of their "role models" have gotten sexually active young and do not encourage the girls in any other alternative. Most of my girls are actually the direct the result of this infidelity. Thus, my role becomes even more crucial to counteract years of culture teaching them to do the same is okay... and almost expected.
About 2 weeks ago, God blessed these girls with 12 more big sisters by sending the San Diego College volleyball team. The team ran a camp for the varsity girls. Not only that, they each formed a "buddy" during their week and took it upon themselves to make sure their girls mastered each skill well. Not only that, the team was very intentional in being vulnerable and sharing their testimonies with the girls. The team was such a blessing not only to my girls, but also to me. At the end of the trip, each girl wrote a note to their buddy. Keysi wrote something that I feel represents well the impact of the San Diego team, "Thank for helping me so much even though I didn't always do things well. Thank you for having patience and leadership. Thank you for making me laugh so much and for teaching me funny words. I admire you." Thank you San Diego College.Act #2: Meeting Coaches from the Volleyball Palace of Santo Domingo
There is a ministry called SCORE which is a sports ministry located in the capital of Santo Domingo which is about 2.5 hours from where I live. In the spring of last year, I contacted them requesting the opportunity to visit and learn more of how they do sports ministry in the DR. I was able to help them when Bethel's basketball team came in the spring. About a week ago, they contacted me asking if I could help with a volleyball team that was coming from Asbury college. I went down not expecting the big things God had planned. Funny how that works. So the team was playing at this place called the Palacio de Volleyball (Volleyball Palace). This is where the National Dominican volleyball teams train. Yeah, its a big deal. In this facility they train girls starting at age 6 to become the elite players of the country. The place had multiple courts going with different age groups practicing. At one point, I saw an 6 foot eleven year old POUND a ball on a visiting college team. Insane. Pretty much what heaven is going to be like I think. :) Okay, so the first day I was able to set up a game with the main coach so that I can bring our JV and varsity teams down in September to play them. Awesome. But here comes the best part. As I was about to leave, I decided to go and watch one of the younger teams practice. I was interested to see what this countries elite coaches do to create players like they have here. So as I was watching, one of the other coaches came to me and asked who I was and what I do. After I explained, he said, "Well, why don't you coach my team then today." WHHHHHAT!??? I asked him what he wanted me to do and he said, "Whatever you want." So after recovering from shock, I preceded to give a practice to this team for over an hour! About 30 minutes into the practice, 3 of the coaches had come over and were watching me coach this team. Is this really happening? So after finishing, the coach came up and asked, "So can you come tomorrow?" After laughing, I realized he was serious. He told me that anytime I am in the capital and want to come help coach, that I am more than welcome. So cool! It was so neat to make that connection and I wonder in what capacity God will use this connection to minister to the volleyball elite of this country. Who knows. All I know is that I was so pumped after that practice and that my volleyball team has a lot of work to do before September 24 when we go to play them! Oh and that God is an incredible orchestrator!
