Football

The value of sports as a bridge between cultures was introduced to me on my first overseas mission trip to Ethiopia.  Our method of ministry was soccer. Using the universal language of ‘football’ allowed for relational and ministry communication and connection that was otherwise impossible due to language and cultural barriers. Many miraculous salvations and encounters with the Spirit occurred during this week of sports ministry.

Here at PWBC the students have a mandatory ‘games’ period on Friday afternoons.  This is a time to let loose at the end of a rigorous week of study.  The men play football (soccer) alternating with volleyball on opposite weeks, while the wives play netball (an African game I still need to learn).  This past Friday was our first day for games.  At 3:00 the coach, who is an elected upper-year student, blew his whistle in the middle of campus signaling that it was time for games to begin.  The students began coming out of their homes from all over campus, and we headed to the soccer field. I made sure to ask permission that it was ok for a girl to play J

When we arrived at the field, students were given some tools to dig out the biggest bushes which were growing in the center of the field.  Otherwise, we would play dodging smaller bushes, cow pies, and rocks.  The students were split into teams by their class level, one team comprising of all the first years and the other with both second and third years.  I was eagerly accepted to the first year’s team, the class level I’ve been working with the closest.  Students were given shorts to change into if they needed them, and a short-supply of cleats was distributed evenly between the teams.  Our team was elected to have the jerseys- old t-shirts.  Keeping to our modesty codes, I kept my skirt on. 

The game began, and I could tell I was up for a good challenge.  Despite being undernourished, some barefooted, tired from a long week of class and an exceptionally hot afternoon, the students put up a good game.  Being the only girl on the field, I had to work hard keep up with these young and fit men.  My status as ‘Lecturer’ doesn’t leave me even on the football field, and I got a good chuckle out of my teammates shouting, “Madam, that’s your ball!” I built up their confidence in me throughout the game as I got my foot on the ball a few times, bringing it close to the goal.  Our team lost. But the score of 1-0 showed that we kept up a good fight. At the end of the game, the coach, with a smile, nominated me, “Man of the game.” J

Relational barriers were definitely broken by my getting into the game.  The next time I saw my teammates after church on Sunday, I was greeted by each of them with a grin and a traditional Zambian handshake.  Up until this point, many of the students have been hesitant to use the Zambian handshake with me, which to me feels like a hesitation of friendship.  However, this Sunday each one of them gave me a gripping grin and Zambian handshake.  We were even able to commiserate together about our sore muscles, many of them encouraging me with words like, “you are very strong” and “you are a true footballer.”

Sports ministry is an avenue of ministry which is seeping into mission fields around the world.  To some this may seem like an unconventional form of ministry, especially when compared to traditional forms of missions.  In my experience, using sports can be the fastest way to break down cultural barriers to form close friendships; creating a bridge to then share the love and gospel of Christ.  And, despite my Zambian friend’s humble encouragement of their ‘madam’, you don’t have to be athletic to do it J 



SOO thirsty!