PDL Team Tour 2008
June, 5-8 2008
The PDL team will be traveling to San Vicente, Mexico June 5-8 in 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. 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.”
PDL & guest players will travel to San Vicente & Tecate, Mexico
June 4-8, 2007
The Seahorses are excited about the PDL team ministering in San Vicente and Tecate, Mexico June 4-8. In San Vicente the team will be partnering with the local church (Dan Vallatona and David Cuevas) in doing clinics and playing an All Star team from the area. They will then go to Tecate to partner with pastor Juan Valdez of the Rincon Baptist Church of Tecate to play in a tournament and do outreaches with children.
The two important aspects that we hope to accomplish are: the encouragement of the local church to continue their involvement in Church Centered Sports Ministry and to broaden the vision of our players in how God can use their gifting for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom. Your prayers for this ministry trip are coveted!
If you would like information on how you can be a part of this ministry trip please contact Paul Shedd or call 714-739-8375
PDL team takes a break to travel to Mexico mid season
Reflections of the Mexico Tour
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.
Doors are opening in Michoacan!
Though this was the second year of our PDL team going to Mexico, it was only a repeat for 4 players, Coach Elkins and Director Mark Schrock. So in many ways it was a first time trip with the same results as the year before.
This year’s approach was to setup in four different cities a one day four team round robin tournament in which each team played each other. The games were shorter with 25 minute halves. This allowed us to interact and get to know more people. The format for the most part worked well and allowed us to accomplish everything we set out to do.
The final day of games finished with us playing the local San Antonio team. The game went to penalty kicks in which we won it in the eighth penalty! It was an exciting way to finish the trip. The team went undefeated in all its games.
Not only was it successful on the field with wins but the opportunities were many for us to be able to communicate that our main purpose for being there was to share that Jesus loves them and desires to save and have a personal relationship with them. The players in spite of language barriers were able to share their faith with many using the evangecube that they learned to use in their SMT (Sports Ministry Training) sessions at each practice!
The desire of the local believers is to have us come back next year. We have seen God definitely using the team. We will pray and see what the Lord desires for us to do.
Seahorse PDL Team Mid-Season Ministry Trip
Once again the team travels to Mexico to develop sports ministry June 20-29, 2005
A group from the Church the PDL team served alongside.
After a successful tour to Mexico in 2004, where the Seahorse PDL team played and ministered for ten days, the 2005 team will return to the state of Michoacan this coming June 20-29.
In 2004 we worked with one national pastor, this year we will be working with four pastors with whom we will seek to role-model how sports ministry is to be done. This will take place through the tournaments we will play as well as having clinics with the youth of their town.
Not only do we desire to take our team to Mexico to experience international high level play of soccer and ministry, but we desire to partner with our fellow Christ followers in Mexico through sport ministry training and sending of staff and players to partner in reaching the unsaved through the platform of soccer.
We look forward to this intercultural exchange in soccer but most of all we look forward to using this wonderful game to reach people with the message of hope that is found through Jesus Christ.
 A youth team from Michoacan
| 
