Haiti Soccer Camp - July 3rd, 2011

Today, the plan was to set up a tournament with five different teams. However, we are quickly learning that things in Haiti don’t exactly go according to plan. Some of us are having an easier time adjusting to this than others. We started off with an MLS shoot-out competition to get the kids all gathered on the soccer field. Before, we got the games started; we passed around on the field and goofed around with the kids. Austin put one kid on his shoulders and then all of a sudden every kid was begging to be put up on our shoulders. They were all begging to faster and faster so the boys ended up racing each other with the kids on their shoulders. The kids were squealing with laughter and loved all the attention they were getting. We ended up only having enough kids to make two teams given that we started a noon, the hottest time of day, and most of the girls don’t play soccer. We gave each team their respective pennies and bandanas and let the games begin.  The children were so proud of the team they were on and made all their friends get the same bandana. We started to play the first game in the middle of the day; this was hard for us because we are not accustomed to the heat in Haiti. The game was fun and the kids really enjoyed it. They are very skilled and we find ourselves learning from them just as much as they are learning from us. The game lasted about an hour and ended with a great lunch.

While the soccer game was occupying most of the boys, we had crafts set up along the sidelines for those who chose not to participate in the soccer game. We had beads to put on string and pipe-cleaners that became bracelets and necklaces. The kids loved to go through and pick out what beads to put on their bracelets and many shared their creations with us. We also had foam crosses to decorate with letters and sticker jewels. It’s amazing how their lives are so centered on Christ. Many of their crosses read: “Jesus loves Jeremy,” or “Shirley loves God.” The kids enjoyed wearing the jewel stickers as jewelry as well. Many little kids were running around with make-shift earrings and jewels stuck on their foreheads. Then we had to go in for dinner.

When we were eating our dinner we looked out the window to see the kids starting to organize their own game of soccer. We were amazed and quickly ran into our rooms and got the jerseys we packed for them. We brought out the jerseys and the kids we ecstatic and were so proud to have their own jersey and number. Then we started the game. It was a high scoring game and many of their goals were high-light reel worthy. We played until it became dark and it was time for the kids to go to devotions. We went and watched a few videos that Bill Plaza made with pictures and videos that he took during his last visit to the New Life for Children Home/Rescue Center. After watching the videos, we sang a few worship songs and sent the kids off to bed.

We are so blessed to have this opportunity to serve these kids and bring a smile to their faces. I cannot wait to play with them tomorrow!

Emily and Will.