American Football in Africa

Two weeks ago I began a new study with 3 men from our church. The lessons simply show us how to study the Bible verse by verse. In our area there are so many different doctrines and beliefs that most of the people are confused at best about what to believe. I explained to them that denominations are man-made and are subject to error whereas the Bible was given to us by God himself and is inerrant in every way. These guys are just getting started in the study but already I can see some great results in their lives. I am praying that God will use this study to call some of these guys to be pastors.

Last week we were able to participate somewhat in the first American football game played in Africa. That’s a big claim made by Patrick Steenberge president of Global Football. The Drake University and CONADEIP all stars from Mexico organized a 2-day football clinic to introduce the Tanzanian children to the game of Football. I took my family to the clinic so that I might be able to offer some translating services and my two oldest boys would be able to participate. I was also hoping to get a better feel for some of the drills and coaching aspects of the game. The reason is that this year I was asked by a man named Greg to help coach a junior football club at our local international school. At the first meeting of this club Greg asked me to run most of the practice and explain the rules admitting that he didn’t know too much about the game. After our session ended some teens began to show up at the same field to begin their football club but the instructor was unavailable. Greg volunteered me to help run their club. Three months has gone by and their instructor still is not available leaving me with a great opportunity to minister to some unsaved kids. Thankfully, they do not realize how little I really know about coaching football.
We invited some of the Drake football team to come to the international school and meet our small club. Their appearance made a big impact on the kids as well as the athletic director of the school. He asked me to be available to direct another teen club at the start of the next school year. He thinks there will be many more kids interested in the game because of the impact the Drake-CONADEIP game. I never thought I would have an opportunity to minister to kids from so many different nations, cultures and religions at one time in Africa. As a result I have been seriously considering starting a Bible study, which would take on similar characteristics as a traditional Wednesday night youth group.

Speaking of Wednesday nights, I was pleasantly surprised today as I arrived at Mandara’s house. I announced Sunday morning that I have been teaching a Bible lesson at his house at 5:00 every Wednesday and that all were welcome. Normally, I would arrive and wait 30-45 minutes for a few people to show up. Sometimes it was just Mandara and his wife. This Wednesday was different. As I pulled up at exactly 5:00 I saw that Mandara had the couch and dining table set up outside and several other chairs. I also saw five people had already arrived and were awaiting the Bible study. Amen! It was a good study and the Lord used it to really encourage me.

Please pray:
Pray for opportunities to see kids saved in our football clubs.
Pray for God to call men to be pastors.
Pray for the continued spiritual and numerical growth of our church body.
Pray for our baptismal service this week. Mandara is getting baptized.