Sunday, July 28, 2013

Soccer camp in Green, Ohio

Our team of coaches traveled to Green, in the suburbs of Akron for a soccer camp with our partner church, The Chapel. This church campus is incredibly beautiful and has softball and soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, and a mile-long walking trail around the campus. A very nice setting for a soccer camp and the weather was very nice, not too hot with a gentle breeze.


We had 38 campers this week, and while the numbers were less, the energy level remained high and the coaches have really enjoyed being around the students this week.


On another note, I have found that this group of coaches really enjoy playing jokes on each other. After camp one day, coach Jenna got a rather strange surprise in her gear bag but could not figure out why her bag seemed so much heavier. The following morning she discovered a large rock in the bottom of her bag that another coach had carefully placed when she wasn't looking.


She was a good sport about it and even had the coaches sign the rock to remember the occasion.


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A word about our coaches

I know there are many people all over that serve their communities and people in their communities that deserve a ton of thank yous and recognition. I hope that wherever you are, you are thanking those people who serve and consistently give of themselves to others. I thought it necessary to say something about the some of the people I've had the privilege of spending some time with. So I just want to thank the coaches I have been able to work with this summer.


Have you ever seen such a beautiful group of people in all your life?

This group of coaches from Brazil, the Netherlands, Egypt, Nigeria, Liberia, Mexico, South Africa and the United States has done extraordinary things this summer. Coaching summer camps is not an easy thing to do. Not only are they in charge of coaching, herding, interacting and supervising children, they are talented entertainers, singers, speakers and teachers. They have been on their feet all day in rainy, muddy conditions as well as very hot, sunny and humid conditions. And yet they consistently pour out their energy, love and care on the students that show up for camp everyday. I am truly blessed to be around these people who gave up their summers to serve in this way, without pay. In fact, most had to raise money in order to be here.

It may seem like a small thing to spend a summer coaching at soccer camps, but small things can have great impact.


(They are also just a lot of fun to be around.)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Soccer camps in Hudson, OH

Soccer camps are in full swing! We are having so much fun in Hudson, OH. Our partner church is Christ Community Chapel and they have rolled out the red carpet for us and we are humbled and grateful for their hospitality. The weather is hot and humid but the campers have been doing a great job!


Our team of coaches consists of people from around the world. They come from Brazil, Netherlands, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Northern Ireland, Mexico and the USA. I love this team of coaches and they have done an exceptional job so far.


Our first week of camp, we had about 95 students ranging from ages 6-14. This week, we have over 120 students and are so glad to have so many enjoying camp with us.