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Garbage Dump Kids
One of the toughest and most dangerous areas of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is near the main garbage dump. Here there are gangs of youth who steal, vandalize and even murder. Some of these youth and young adults have spent their entire lives foraging for food and shelter in the heaps of garbage at the dump. One church has had an incredible outreach to these garbage dump kids through sports ministry.
A gang of youth was vandalizing and intimidating people in the area. A sports ministry leader decided to try to reach out by playing football with them. Although naturally sceptical at first, these youth began to play soccer with him and eventually formed a team with him as their coach. Through the relationships formed on the football field, several of these young men placed their trust in Christ. They were transformed from violent gang leaders to new creatures in Christ. Two of them are now the enthusiastic leaders of the sports ministry outreach of the local church in the area.
Sports Friends has worked closely with this church, providing practical training and sports equipment. The church has had hundreds of boys and girls involved in its various sports ministry programs. Activities include football, volleyball, weightlifting, karate, and table tennis. The vast majority of these youth did not attend church or have a personal relationship with Christ prior to their involvement in the church’s sports programs. Now, the majority of them attend Sunday school and many have given their lives to Christ! What a blessing to see God use the “silly platform of sports” to transform “garbage” kids into new creations reconciled with their heavenly father through the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
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