What’s it like to intern with Sports Friends? We asked DK Roy, one of our summer interns, to share about her recent experience.
“It all started when my plane touched down on the tarmac of a foreign place to me. My heart was full of uncertainty and excitement. I was unsure where to go till I saw that my host family had come inside the airport to pick me up, not just in a car line but they had gone completely out of their way to make sure I felt welcomed and cared for. It was at that moment that I knew it was going to be an enjoyable two weeks. I had never done something like this before, but I was excited to go outside of my comfort zone and experience hands-on learning of what it would be like to go into full-time ministry.
I came to help and learn from a Sports Friends team working toward putting on a soccer camp for refugee youth in their area. It was the final day before the camp, and many tasks still had to be completed before we were ready for the kids to come. We had mere hours before the youth began to show up and the months of prep would come together into three short days of faith-filled fun.
Yet, with all the loose ends still untied, we spent the whole first hour of that Thursday in prayer. My gut reaction was to assume that this team was crazy and a little lazy, but I soon learned that prayer is the most important task in ministry. Upon reflection, why should this not be our first response when we are under stress? If we really do serve a sovereign God who can control the details, why wouldn’t we ask Him to put the details into place and protect us from factors outside of our control?
Together, we prayed about everything from the temperature to the eternal salvation of the boys and girls participating in the camp. A few hours later, I was amazed to see that every detail was tied up neatly and we were ready for the youth to arrive. At first thought, the whole first hour seemed to me as inaction, yet I was clearly mistaken. This is why I am so glad I got the opportunity to serve with this ministry. They are so focused on the gospel that it seeps into every task and schedule. SIM’s motto is “by prayer” and never before have I seen it to be more practically true of a people so clearly led by and dependent on prayer.
As evangelist and teacher Oswald Chambers said, ‘Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.‘
Another moment that stuck out to me was when a young boy at the camp told his coach, “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life”. Hearing this filled and broke my heart all at once. It was just a simple camp using a simple means, soccer, and a simple message, repent and believe. These refugee youth have been through so much in their lives. So much loss: loss of home, loss of loved ones, loss of possessions, loss of a quality education, loss of dignity, and loss of many human rights during their dangerous flee from their even more dangerous homes. Now they are here and they have made it to their final destination, yet many still find they are without hope or a place to belong.
As followers of Christ, we know there is only one solution to the search for belonging, and that is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It was inspiring to see how well the team and volunteers generously loved and were radically hospitable to their refugee neighbors. This camp gave the youth a safe place to have fun with soccer and learn about the gospel, two things they rarely have the chance to do. What a blessing it was to play a part in welcoming these people who many view as unwanted or too different, and have the opportunity to share God’s love with them.”
‘He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners…’ – Deuteronomy 10:18-19
Are you next?
If you’re looking to combine your love for sports and your love for Jesus in a ministry context, then one of our overseas internship placements could be the perfect opportunity for you. We also offer internships in the areas of administration, finance, communications, and mobilization. All interns will receive training and mentoring throughout their placement. Contact us to begin the process.