When the Colorado Rapids announced their first ever jersey sponsor, it was a historic moment for the club. However, it wasn’t long before one of the original clubs of Major League Soccer started looking for a new sponsor – when Ciao Telecom failed to make payments, the Rapids needed a new sponsor. But, what to do with all the merchandise and clothing that had already begun to be made? Rapids Lead Chaplain, Rev. Brad Kenney, recalls a conversation with Rapids President Tim Hinchey,
We were at a home game and the news about Ciao failing to make payments had been published and I asked Tim, “What about all the gear?” Perhaps a bit tongue-in-cheek, he replied, “We’re going to burn it; hold a big bonfire.” “What if I can get it out of the country?” I replied. “How far?” he asked.
What followed saw CrossTraining start to outfit foreign mission teams requesting gear through the Timothy Project with the, now, worthless Ciao jerseys and apparel. Some times the amounts were what could simply fill an extra bag or an overseas shipping container. The Rapids also made disbursements to other organizations like Brad Corrigan’s Love Light & Melody but this year, as quantities started to dwindle, CrossTraining was blessed to receive the last remaining items from the Rapids.
I hope that with the gear the we received that we can support Timothy Project requests into the next year or so – we shall see. But I have to admit, it was really fun to see the Rapids “back-up the truck” at my house where we are currently storing the gear in the garage.
If you, your church, or organization has a mission trip or project overseas planned and you would like to take some gear with your team please fill out a Timothy Project application and contact us. Chaplain Kenney expressed his thanks to the Colorado Rapids.
We are extremely grateful to the Rapids for entrusting us with these things and we hope that they will be a blessing to the poor and underprivileged being served by so many around the world.
If you would like to make contributions to the Timothy Project please note (Timothy Project) in your donation. You can also support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate Now link to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
#TPT
The family jump in to give a hand unloading Rapids gear for the Timothy Project program.
The boxes start to pile up!
A nearly full garage ready for the Timothy Project!
When boxes break…