Raising Up Godly Men Through Futbol

Written by Dave

“What would you like us to accomplish while you are gone?”  

That was one of the million questions we asked the Segners prior to their furlough.  

They asked if we would be interested in leading a Soccer Club/Youth Group for boys in the village.  We talked to some boys and discussed the best time to meet that would not interfere with those who attend school.  
Fridays at 4:00 would work best for the boys. Check! 
Our interpreter, John, and I were going lead the group…..if any boys bothered showing up.  

We had many discussions about what to do with the boys.  Having lead junior high and senior high youth groups for years, it seemed to be easy, right?!?  Thankfully God had this whole thing, because I was worried.  

John kept asking me what I did in my youth groups in Illinois.  I tried to explain what I did in America would not work exactly in Uganda.  After much praying, my answers were given to me….by Cara….which is typical!!  J  She found a guide to help us and told us to take David, our askari because having Ugandan men of God as an example would be so helpful for these young boys.  
What great advice!  

The first week consisted of explaining what we wanted to do, take roll and pictures of the boys, pray, and play soccer.  It was SO much fun and rewarding!  

Always start with warm-ups! John and David had these boys running serious laps!

God was starting something here.  Someone had donated tubs full of little league jerseys, so we could divide the boys and actually play a game.  Unfortunately, I got thrown in as goalkeeper with very little soccer skills!  
Soccer...not a gift of mine. I decided to use the gifts that God HAD given me and be the fool that I am…..laughter can break down ANY barriers that communication cannot solve! So I entertained the adults that came and watched the game.

 Our 2^nd week gave me the challenge for the year….at least one of them!  

We talked about prayer, and I asked them how many of them pray to God.  Only my 9 year old son, Carter, raised his hand.  There were 23 boys there…not exactly the response I was hoping for. (I guess I should have expected that answer!)  

I told the boys we would be there every Friday until the end of May when we head back to America.  I said we will see what God can do in the next 8 months! 

So we ask you, Oh Lord, to soften these boys’ hearts and change the minds so that they may become servants for you as they grow to become leaders and Godly men in their village.  Amen.

To Be Used

Living in ministry is amazing.

Whether you live in Illinois or Africa or Timbuktoo, live in ministry.

Live with eyes ready to see what God is revealing and feet ready to serve where He is leading.

It will feel crazy. It will feel illogical. It will be incredible.

The emotions are all over the place and the day never goes according to plan, but what a joy that God shows up and leads you right where He wants you to go.

Sometimes in our life that has meant seeing the young mother sitting on the side of the road an inviting her into our home. Other times that has led us into the woods to serve lunch to homeless men. Today it led us into the home of a young woman suffering from AIDS.

Wow. To be used. To be invited into other’s lives. To be able to claim these experiences as part of my life.

Living in ministry is amazing.

As the Segners transition into furlough and our family into Healing Faith leadership, God has been leading us into amazing opportunities in Wakisi Village. For years, Healing Faith has been planting and nurturing seeds in this village. They have been loving these individuals and caring for these families in such a way that we come into this place already trusted and already accepted.

We stopped to check on Baby Hope, a precious little girl born with Spina Bifida a few months ago. Hope had a slight fever, but overall is thriving with the physical therapy that her mom was taught. From hopeless to hopeful in a matter of weeks. Amazing.

We thought that was our agenda for the day, but then we were invited into the neighbor’s home. We removed our muddy shoes at the door and entered a small room where the most precious young woman lay on a bed, unable to feel her legs and trying to survive amidst grueling complications from AIDS. She simply wanted some company and some prayer. She is 24 years old. Her name is Fatuma. We prayed. We talked. I held her hands and I kissed her head. I told her that we would love to come visit her when we come to the village. Her face lit up.

When we visited a mom last week to congratulate her on the healthy delivery of her new baby, her son, 6 year-old Musisi, was eager to see us, too. He knew that we were helpers. He knew that when he showed us his hands full of jiggers and his infected feet, that we would try to help him.

I sat there next to him as the needles and razors removed these fleas and their egg sacs from his feet and fingers. I held him, he squeezed my hand, and he cried into me when it hurt.

When the nurse told us that he also had a severe infection affecting many of his toes, I knew that we would figure out the treatment.

Simple penicillin. Less than $10.

We came to congratulate a mom. God led us there for something else.

 He is guiding the steps.

He leads us to where he wants us each and every day.

He is up to something that we cannot always see when we take the first step.

Last Friday, we took Musisi for the first of four injections that he will need. I was sure after the jigger removal and the shot that he would run from us next time we entered the village for fear of being hurt again.

To my surprise, we showed up Tuesday for a children’s ministry day, and with his sticky, jackfruit-covered hands, he ran up to me smiling and gave me the biggest, messiest hug. What a gift.

Over the next month, we will take Musisi each week for his injections. I will hold him as he gets the shot in his tush. He will be scared, and I will be there to hold him.

God is so good to invite us into His work.

 He loves us so much that He wants us to receive the gift of these experiences. 

He is writing an incredible story. 

We are a part because we choose to live in ministry.