The PDL team will be traveling to San Vicente, Mexico June 5-8, 2008. We will be promoting and organizing a Saturday soccer day/jamboree for the community that would include multiple events, matches and activities. This is a follow up trip to the trip they took last June when we partnered with Dan Vallaton and David Cuevas. Since that time they have continued to have their children’s soccer league with many children from troubled homes participating. On June 27 the team will be traveling to Tecate, Mexico to be with long time Sports Minister partner Pastor Juan Valdez and the Rincon Baptist Church. They will spend the day playing with the children and sharing the love of Christ in two different locations in Tecate.
Here are some reflections from that trip last June!
“From June 4-8, several members of the PDL team traveled to Northern Mexico on their annual Missions Trip. One of the main purposes of this trip was to partner with the Sports Ministers in two locations, San Vicente and Tecate. As we partnered with them we looked to encourage and enhance their efforts locally.
In San Vicente the team had 3 clinics on one day and played a game in the evening. After the game, the San Vicente team was invited for pizza. As we shared pizza and drinks, our hope is that the stigma that Christianity is only for women and children was diminished. In Tecate, the team was involved in an evening tournament. Prior to the evening tournament the Seahorses spent several hours promoting the "main event" by mingling with people and playing with whoever wanted to play. The teams took a break after several games had been played. During the break, the people listened attentively as Josiah Snelgrove, one of the players, shared how only God can fill the void that we all have.
However, for several players their favorite time occurred on the last day. We went out and played with children of families that had no water or electricity. Even in their poverty, there was great joy as they played soccer and enjoyed life! Truly the week was a tremendous blessing to each participant. Our hope and prayer is that we were able to encourage God’s workers in Sports Ministry in Northern Baja California.”