Collide and Merge

I had a.. "Im really not in college anymore" experience this week as I traveled back to Birmingham two days after Christmas. Paul has been giving me a hard time for calling my Christmas break "short" when, in all reality, it was longer than what the average working person gets any given year. However, Im used to the Samford Jan-term schedule of getting out of school the second week in December and not returning until late January...spoiled. Those days are over!

This week turned out to be a huge blessing though. I got some time to myself in the evenings and was able to do things that I otherwise would have put off if there were people in town to hang out with. All in all it was a good week to just "be."

Monday - Wednesday mornings I took about two vans full of NorthStar soccer kids to the Briarwood Holiday Camp where we merged with white suburban soccer playing kids. This was one of my first experiences of "colliding" our players with "Over-the-Mountain" kids in a non-competitive setting (ie normally we're playing against them...this week we were all on the same "team). At this camp, we were all playing together with one purpose: to glorify God through the game of soccer. The memory verse was Ephesians 5:15, "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise." Camp consisted of both soccer and devotional times, sharing with the kids what it means to be "wise," how to "get wise" (Proverbs/the Word), and how to have a relationship with God to sustain this wisdom. What an amazing opportunity this week was to use soccer as a vessel of sharing the Gospel with kids from two completely different cultural backgrounds.

I coached the 8 and 9 - year olds with the NorthStar and Briarwood population pretty much split among the players. It was amazing to see how easily the kids merged culturally through the game of soccer. I think it was good for both groups of kids to get to play with each other and realize that "kids are kids." However, the week was not without a moment (or two...) of conflict. The reality of the difference between the two groups came out when one of the NorthStar boys slipped up in a heated moment and made a comment about a Briarwood girl's race. He immediately put his hand over his mouth, knowing that he had said something inappropriate. My heart sank seeing this unfold, but the teachable moment quickly came to mind and I jumped on it without hesitation. I explained to the boy how she is his sister and we are to treat all of our brothers and sisters in Christ with utmost respect and love...the word "sister" was startling to him, but I know it somewhat sank in because later in the day he commented on how if he and the other players are brothers and sisters, then I must be his "aunt" :) he asked if he could call me "Aunt Val"...Absolutely.

Being at home in Atlanta was sweet, comfortable, encouraging; however, it masked the reality of where I am called to be. Investing into the "colliding" and "merging" of NorthStar kids with Over-the-Mountain kids is an opportunity that I wouldn't pass up for anything. Seeing one of my NorthStar girls bond with a Briarwood girl and them begging me to be on the same team was a beautiful picture of unity in Christ.

"Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."

- Colossians 3:11

The Reason.

So it has been a LONG while since I have last blogged (sorry Paul...). MUCH has happened over the past month, and I honestly don't even know where to begin!

I'll start with the 3v3 tournament - what a blast/challenge it has been planning this. It has driven me to really take action on making connections and bringing in program sponsorships. While no "official checks" have been received, there have been promised partnerships, and overall "buzz" about NorthStar has begun to circulate in the worlds of soccer, corporate, and personal connections. I have had a "meeting" scheduled everyday for the past 3 weeks with people who know people and people who are giving advice, support or a pat of encouragement on the back. The thing I love about all of this is that I have names, faces and stories behind this "program" that I am raising support for. All of the hours put in on and off the soccer field have ignited in me a spark of passion that only continues to grow for these kids and their families.

I have to admit, though, that the "task-driven side" of me has gotten extremely overwhelmed and anxious with everything that is going on. It has been a daily battle...task...necessity to focus on why I am doing what I am doing. Yes, the kids, their families, the opportunity for life-on-life discipleship and investment is HUGE. But the reason behind all of this goodness is Jesus Himself.

I want to make much of Christ...for people to see Him in me and for me to be able to proclaim His initiatives and drive in me. My friend, Mr. Paul (not Paul Neville, though he is my friend too) who works in the Princeton Elementary Cafeteria told me last week that he sees something different in me. "It's like a light, or something. Those kids are attracted to you..." Jesus, may he see you as the light. May the children be attracted to you in me.

"I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining." - 1 John 1:8

My task has been and will be over the coming weeks and months to generate print-based material to recruit program sponsors. This money will be used to sponsor the soccer program. The soccer program will be open to returning and new kids. These kids will get exposure to the Gospel through the words and life-example of the coaches. The Gospel will take root in the kids, who will become young disciples of our King. These disciples will go into their homes and share the Good News with their families. These families will be changed by the light in their children. The community of and around NorthStar will be cross-centered and cross-driven to live and give and serve to MAKE MUCH OF CHRIST...poor or rich according to standards in this world, they all will become eternally rich because of their new-found hope in Christ. This is my vision, and I believe God's heart, for the impact of the NorthStar Soccer Club.

Lord, lead me, Paul and those working behind the scenes and at the front lines of NorthStar to MAKE MUCH OF YOU. Make us less and weak so that you may be great and our strength. May we look back on this time, Fall 2009 and the coming days, and say "Only the Lord could have made these things happen." Im excited to be a part of this awesome plan.