Transforming Lives
   Strengthening Communities

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 Welcome to our Sports Friends Newsletter!

We hope you enjoy this bit of news from Sports Friends.  God is using the simple, yet powerful, platform of sports ministry to expand His Kingdom. We hope this newsletter encourages you and leads you to pray for Sports Friends and its leaders serving around the world.  You have been included in this distribution either because you signed up on our website or because one of our Sports Friends missionaries thought you would appreciate these updates.  If you do not wish to receive them, you may unsubscribe below.

 A New Church in Nigeria

God is doing an awesome work in several neighboring villages in Plateau Sate, Nigeria.  One of our Sports Friends leaders (Paul) has championed sports ministry in this region and is passionate about developing local sports ministry leaders.  Paul has spent many days trekking around bumpy dirt roads visiting and encouraging the church leaders Sports Friends has trained.

One such individual, Joshua, has been trying to reach a village in this region for many months.  He recently began using soccer to build a relationship bridge to the boys in the area.  Through soccer, he is developing deep, meaningful friendships.  Sport has become the key which the Lord is using to unlock the hearts of these youth.  Many youth in the village have recently come to faith in Christ, and they are having a powerful impact on their families as well.  They have started a small church, and Joshua is discipling them throughout the week. 

While visiting this village recently, one father told us he has noticed a significant change in his boys since they trusted in Christ and he is very attracted to Christianity but is being held back by traditional beliefs and pressure from other elders in the community.  Please pray for him.  He could be a key to unlock the hearts of the adults in this Nigerian village.

Throughout Nigeria and Ethiopia, church planters trained in sports ministry, like Joshua, are using the platform of sports to build relationships with youth and their families that lead to opportunities to share the love and word of God.  Through sports ministry, God is planting and building His church in areas previously closed to the Gospel.

 Camping Impacts Ethiopian Youth

July and August were a beehive of activity at Camp Langano, Sports Friends’ camping ministry in rural Ethiopia.  Six weeks of camping sessions were held for Ethiopian boys and girls – approximately 40 youth attended each week.  These youth had one of the greatest times of their lives -- fun, food, sports, games, crafts, swimming, singing, drama, teachings, etc.  Most importantly, we had the opportunity to shower these young people with God's love and help them grow in their relationship with God. 
 
Albert is a small shy 13-year old boy who some time ago had been snatched from his home village in Ethiopia to work in a cotton weaving factory.  Many boys from his home region know how to work the weaving machines and are taken to the capital city as forced labor.  His boss was harsh and gave him little food, so Albert ran away and lived on the streets of Addis Ababa.  He was found by a Sports Friend leader who ministered to him and brought him to camp.  Albert was deeply impacted.  Afterward he wept, “What I experienced at that place I have never had.  If they love me like this, how much more does God love me?”
 
During the summer, 146 of the 248 Ethiopian youth attending camp made first time professions to follow Jesus.  Each of these new believers is being discipled by their sports ministry leader who came to camp with them.
 
Sports Friends has plans to expand Camp Langano to accommodate 150 youth per session and to offer camping opportunities on a year round basis.  Camp Langano will be the first residential, Christian youth camp in Ethiopia, a country of over 75 million people.

 Testimony of U.S. Team Members in Ethiopia

“Being part of a ministry where I actually got to build relationships intensively over a week's time was invaluable.  Being in camp with those precious children meant the world to me.  It was difficult physically, but if I had to do it again, I would go for a month instead of just a week and I would bring my children.”
 
“My focus tends to be on my busy modern world and myself.  At camp I lived in an environment removed from the busyness and distractions of life in the U.S.  I was exposed to Ethiopians who are very sharing people and truly love the Lord.  God used this time for me to refocus and become less self centered, more patient, and more focused on Jesus.”
 
“I had an amazing time!  It was nothing like I had imagined, and yet it exceeded my wildest expectations all at the same time.  The Ethiopian team leaders there were amazing - what dedicated individuals!  They make me want to be a better Christian every day.  And the kids - oh my goodness - what absolute joy and excitement at getting to play for five days!  My experience has made coming home a bit of a shock (which seems odd as I was only gone for less than 2 weeks) at the extravagance and waste and lack of appreciation I see everywhere.”

“God taught me about community and how important it is to build deep and meaningful relationships with people.  In Ethiopia, I was amazed at the people's joy which has taught me to be more joyful. God showed me how important it is to keep the focus on others and to walk in love instead of focusing just on myself.  It was very hard for me to leave and go back home.  As soon as I got home, I wanted to go back.”

 Sports Friends in Asia