January Clinics

This week we had a great set of 3 clinics at Kleinberg, Ukhanyo, and Marine Primary Schools. But these clinics were special because we had some guests from Elon University in North Carolina. Kelly, Trevor, and JD were with us as part of their month-long Winter Term trip to South Africa. Three days of their time in Cape Town is spent doing internships with various organizations. We hooked up with the group through one of our former students, Rachel Zeillinger, who went on the trip a year ago.

These 3 students were great to work with. They had awesome attitudes, really enjoyed the kids, and even brought some of their own equipment (including ELON University soccer balls). We are really hoping to continue the relationship with Elon over the years as these guys were such a treat to work with.

This was the first week of school for the new year, so that caused a few challenges. We had scheduled the clinics for Wednesday-Friday, but school started Wednesday. So, at Kleinberg, the teachers hadn't been with the kids to tell them about the clinic. Andy and I went around to kids' houses that we had addresses for (or called if we had phone numbers) to remind them about the clinic. It also ended up being about 95 degrees that day! So, our numbers were small for that one, but we had a great time.

At the other schools things went a little smoother. Kids were more aware of the clinic, so we had pretty big crowds of around 30 kids at each. Our theme for these clinics was "Ubuntu". We wanted to explain the meaning of the word, so that they could better understand what we are about. Now they know that we desire for them to come together as a community realizing that we all celebrate or suffer together, much like what happens in a soccer game.

Unfortunately on Friday Kelly wasn't feeling well, so she couldn't join us, but Trevor and JD seemed to have spoken so highly about their experience that they brought along new helpers, Taylor and Kyle. Kyle even plays for the Women's soccer team at Elon, and they were awesome help, too.

This was another great time amongst the community. We are excited about the next steps as God is building the relationship with the schools. Now, we just need to keep getting churches on board. Thanks for your prayers!

Next round of clinics

This week the Christmas break is finally ending. Kids go back to school on Wednesday and we are having some visitors. We have 3 students from Elon University in North Carolina that are coming to work with us for 3 days this week. They will be helping us with 3 clinics this week. We'll be repeating with the same schools we worked with before and then adding Simon's Town School the following week. We're excited to get back to work and working with kids again. We'll be updating you later this week!

Casey

Ukhanyo & Marine Clinics

The whole experience with the clinics taught me a lot. One thing it taught me is that you can never know what to expect!

At Ukhanyo, which is in Masiphumelele, a black township, we started the clinic with about 9 kids, quickly grew to 13, and then 15. We were having a great time and kids were getting lots of individual attention. All of a sudden, about an hour into the clinic, 40 or so kids showed up. Now what are we supposed to do!?!? Thankfully the coach at the school took the really young ones to another area to play and we integrated the older ones into what we were doing.

We were blessed to have the help of China with this clinic. China is a guy that plays on the Newcastle team that I sometimes play with. He is just finishing 10th grade and his help was crucial because the younger kids in Masi struggle with their English. He was able to translate the instructions for the drills and for our teaching time.

I also got some time to connect with the coach there at Ukhanyo. He teaches the P.E. classes and tries to coach teams for the school. He definitely needs help, though. Hopefully we can provide him with some great coaching mentors.

At Marine the next day there were no students on campus. The younger ones were on a field trip and the older ones just didn't show up. We had a smaller crowd of about 15 kids, but it was a good time to connect there at Marine. I imagine that when we repeat the clinics in January, during the first week of school, we'll have a much bigger crowd.

All in all, it was a good week. We introduced ourselves to about 100 kids through the course of the week. These kids will probably make up a portion of our first Ubuntu-coached teams next year.

Kleinberg Clinic

After the 1st clinic was cancelled on Monday at Simon's Town because only 9 boys in Grade 4-7 showed up for school, we had our first clinic today at Kleinberg Primary in Oceanview. It was a great start. We had good energy with what we were doing and we learned some things on how we could make it better. We started with almost 30 kids, but some must have thought it was too hot, so we only finished with 20. Those 20 were energetic and excited. This first clinic at each of the schools is focused on the individual and their own self-confidence. So, we focused on individual skills like dribbling and juggling. Our 'lesson' was on us believing in ourselves because we are a child of God. But that if we put our confidence in external things like soccer, grades, our families, etc, then we will eventually be left disappointed. We need to put our confidence and trust in God. We looked at this verse:

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

We had a juggling competition where the winner won an Ubuntu Sports Outreach t-shirt. And, at the end of the clinic, the kids got a South African 'freezy pop.'

We are blessed to have the open door into this school. Pray for our influence and opportunity there as the principal and many of the teachers are Muslim. Tomorrow we will be at Ukhanyo Primary in Masiphumelele, one of the black townships.

Juggling Competition Finalists

It begins here...

This week we are starting the official 'work' of Ubuntu Sports Outreach. We're having a clinic each day in our 4 startup schools: Simon's Town, Kleinberg Primary, Ukhanyo Primary, and Marine Primary. We expected to do the clinics after school, but the schools have asked us to do them during school, b/c kids stopped showing up the last couple of weeks b/c they did exams a few weeks ago. (Don't ask me why it's done that way.) We're really excited about the opportunity to 'introduce' ourselves to the communities, schools, and kids. Please be praying for our influence there, our relationships with the schools, and that kids would be excited to be with us. You can follow up on all that happens here on the blog! Casey

Thankful for Partners

Today I met with a few guys from Ambassadors In Sport. AIS is an organization that has been around a while, and is using soccer as tool to reach people for Christ. I first became aware of them as a college student when I almost went on a tour with them. My little sister-in-law, Lauren, actually did an AIS tour of South Africa when she was in collge.

When we were here in 2008 we met with Ambassadors and it was good, but not like today. Mark and Bruce are two great Englishmen with great hearts. Mark has been here a while, but Bruce has only been here about 6 weeks longer than us. They are doing a whole host of things. They to a lot of coaches training to raise up well prepared Sports Ministers. They do great prison ministry where they have all started a soccer academy. AIS has a women’s professional team, and they have teams playing in a local league from U11 through adult men. So, they have their hands full. They will be hosting lots of teams during the World Cup.

Ubuntu Sports Outreach and AIS definitely share a similar heart for training up local leaders and providing opportunities for the best kids. I know that we will be doing ministry in some form in the future. They are much further along in this process than we are. (And have offices around the world.) And, thankfully, they want to offer their wisdom and experience to others. I’m excited to have AIS as a partner, and mostly to have them as friends with similar hearts to see the Kingdom advance.

I'd like you to meet...

We want to introduce you to our first international volunteer. We’ve had many people helping us in the States, but this is our first volunteer in South Africa.

His name is Andy Chenlo and he is the son of Mauricio and Sara Chenlo. Andy was on the soccer team that I helped coach at Millbrook High School. He had a desire to do a gap year after his graduation in June of 2009 and he felt our plans for Ubuntu Sports Outreach matched his heart. Andy arrived in late October and will be serving here until July 5.

Andy was born in Argentina and later lived in Ecuador while his parents were missionaries. They moved to the US when Andy was 11 years old. They have been in Raleigh ever since and attend the Raleigh Mennonite Church.

Andy will be completing his college applications while here in South Africa and hopes to study International Relations and Conflict Resolution.

Here are some more things about Andy:

Why did you come to Africa: To put my beliefs into action and try to return some of the love that Christ has given me, gaining perspective for the next step of my life while I’m at it.

Most inspiring scripture for you: Isaiah 41:13

Add to Mt. Rushmore: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Favorite thing about South Africa so far: The natural beauty “The oceans and the mountains being seconds away from you.”

Favorite Book: Harry Potter

Favorite Soccer Player: Zinedine Zidane & Riquelme

Favorite National Team: Argentina

Favorite Club Team: Boca Juniors

Favorite Soccer Coach: Matt Edwards and Casey Prince J

Nike or Adidas: Nike

Favorite Food: Steak Ravioli

Thing you miss the most about home: family and friends

Favorite band or musical artist: John Mayer & Shania Twain