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Community Request from Y Quien Habla Por Mí

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Soccer Chaplains United’s first community project request fulfillment of 2019 came last week as one of the directors of Y Quien Habla Por Mí was in Colorado visiting me and my family. Nasser Moreno and I became friends a few years ago when my family was in Juarez, Mexico on a family mission service project. Nasser, a former football (soccer) player, happened to be visiting his family in Juarez at the time and we hit it off.

Nasser and I met in October 2017 in Juarez, MX

Last year, Nasser and his uncle and aunt came to the U.S. for a visit. We ended up hosting him for a number of days. Between my broken Spanish and his broken English we have managed to form a friendship that is perhaps the unlikeliest, or in the least not one that I would have expected. And not only has Nasser become my friend, but one dearly loved by my family. As we caught up via text message around Christmas, we had the idea of having Nasser come out to Colorado again and spend time with our family.

Nasser and I pose outside the front gate of Garden of the Gods in CO, 2019

It was on this latest trip, that Nasser began to share more of his work with Y Quien Habla Por Mí. This foundation is quite rare in Mexico. According to the website, it is one of the first of its kind to be dedicated to be dedicated to eradicating various violations against children. Whether it is crimes such as human trafficking, kidnapping, disappearances, child pornography, or other means of exploitation. The foundation has several programs and is involved in an amber alerting system similar to here in the U.S.

The children of Y Quien Habla Por Mí are involved in many programs aimed at bringing comfort and healing after they have been hurt and wounded.

One of the programs includes using soccer (fútbol). Nasser helps to direct the soccer programs and for the associated orphanage in the Iztapalapa neighborhood in Mexico City. There are approximately 70+ children that are in the orphanage in a given time and usually hundreds others that are participating in the sports programs.

At one point during Nasser’s visit, he turned to me, “you can help the childrens, if you want?” I could see in his eyes that he was hopeful for these children that have no hope. He explained that there is little support in Mexico for these kinds of things — many children endure abuse and other exploitations and are left abandoned and alone, especially in Mexico City.

You can help the childrens, if you want?

– Nasser Moreno, March 2019

We spent a couple hours going through bins in the garage — pulling out uniforms and soccer gear donated by the Rapids and other soccer organizations. We loaded up two bags full of soccer gear. With various jerseys and shorts we sent Nasser back with about 100 lbs. of gear to give back to the children and those working with Y Quien Habla Por Mí.

Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help projects and requests like this one for Y Quien Habla Por Mí. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Thirty Year Relationship Still Going Strong

Ministry partner, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC), partnered with La Iglesia Maranatha in Juarez, Mexico thirty years ago.

Katherine Plank, Cherry Creek Pres. team member, shares with Soccer Chaplains United what a typical mission trip to Juarez is like.  We will drive from the Denver-Metro area and spend six days living at the church compound. Although this is a short-term mission trip, we always accomplish as much as we possibly can!

In the past years I have attended, our main focus was to host a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the community. At VBS, we play games, sing songs, dance, read bible stories and craft. We also offer crafts to engage the parents who stay with their children during VBS!

Another objective of our time at La Iglesia Maranatha is to build homes for church or community members.  We repair houses and buildings on the church’s compound and we have helped repaint many buildings around the property. Any small fixes with maintenance such as damaged pipes or drywall is attended to our by team as well. Most years when we go there, we even build fun things for the kids! In the past, we have assembled a basketball hoop and trampoline and re-built their playground and soccer goals.

When we go to Juarez, my favorite day is always Sunday! We like to get involved with the church services that take place during our stay. Sometimes we sing a song, pray, or share a sermon with the congregation. After church, the congregation goes to a nearby park and we enjoy a delicious picnic. Following the picnic, nearly everyone plays a huge soccer game together. Before the game begins though, we pull out the jerseys we brought for our Juarez friends. Everyone gets so excited and immediately puts them on! We play until we are all exhausted and our jerseys are soaked with sweat. The kids continue to wear their new jerseys for the rest of the week, every day at Vacation Bible School!

Although our week spent in Juarez is jam-packed, we still find time to play soccer. Soccer removes all language barriers and provides a way for us to come together through a common love, and A LOT of laughing.

Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help projects and requests like this one for Juarez. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor an individual 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!

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Timothy Project: Cherry Hills Christian Middle School Juarez Update

Timothy Project: Cherry Hills Christian Middle School (CHCMS) returned to Juarez, Mexico after several years away.  This trip of 24 middle school students and a handful of teachers and parent chaperones marked the return to serving the impoverished and orphaned in Juarez, a city on the Mexico side of the border.  The team’s week of serving proved not only to be safe and free of violence but full of great rewards few expected.

The team’s primary objective while at Arbol de Vida was to pull out dead and damaged trees in the orchards and replace them with healthy saplings.  When the students were not honing their arborist skills, they were bonding with the orphans who live there.  A highlight of their time with the children was the giving of the soccer gear donated by Soccer Chaplains United.

Isabella Carpinelli, an eighth grader from CHCMS, said,

The kids were overjoyed to see everything. Right away they ran out onto the field with their new soccer gear and played for hours on end.

Soccer Chaplains United sent with the team a few dozen complete sets of soccer gear.  With their new cleats, soccer jersey, and shorts the kids from Arbol De Vida experienced Christmas-like joy.  The gratification did not end with the children, it rippled through the Cherry Hills Christian students and even into the adults. Todd Burmeister shared,

As a supporter of Soccer Chaplains United, I was excited to see how the Timothy Project works in its entirety. It is one thing to organize and donate gear here (in Denver), but quite another to see the joy and excitement in the children’s faces when they receive it. I now know firsthand what a blessing the Timothy Project is.

Todd Burmeister has been a supporter of Soccer Chaplains United and a parent of a Cherry Hills Christian Middle School student.

Since returning from their trip, the students have begun plans to continue to grow the relationships they started while in Mexico.  Several of the students hope to return to Arbol De Vida as well as support the children with gifts and cards of encouragement.

To support Timothy Project: Middle School Returns to Juarez, Mexico or future Timothy Project ventures please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor an individual 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!

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Timothy Project: Nuevo Tantoan, MX – Final Update on Los Burritos

Chaplain Cesar Duran and his wife Andrea relocated from Denver to Laredo, Texas in the summer of 2017.  This meant Soccer Chaplains United and the Colorado Rapids had to say goodbye to their Spanish-speaking chaplain and translator, Cesar.  But this move brought the Durans closer to their home and opened new opportunities to explore.

Andrea Duran recently shared an update on the Timothy Project request they made last year before leaving Denver.

August 2, 2017, I had the opportunity to visit the “Burritos” soccer team of Nuevo Tantoan, Mante Mexico. That afternoon they were training on the field, and I gave them the donation from Soccer Chaplains United’s Timothy Project. This donation included a cooler, soccer balls, water bottles, and jerseys of the Colorado Rapids.

I shared with them the responsibilities of a chaplain. Some of the soccer players met my husband, former bilingual chaplain of Colorado Rapids, Cesar. They were talking about the Rapids and asked about Tim Howard and other players. I also shared with them the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of the spiritual life. I explained to them how the Bible compares the care of the spiritual life with the effort of an athlete. For an athlete, it is most important to get the trophy and be the winner. This goal helps them to have discipline, train and spend a lot of time working with that in mind: be a champion! Many athletes sacrifice their families and many things, but to get the goal is the most important for them.

I shared with them about the love of God and all that God is offering to them. I also had the opportunity to listen to their dreams, victories, families, and goals. They also shared about the bad times on the field and their frustration as a soccer team. I prayed for them and motivated them to give the best from themselves in the next match.

After our time of visiting and encouraging one another, they opened the cooler and found the jerseys.  They were happy wearing their new jerseys.  All of them also were thankful and invited me to attend their next match. They also share words of thanksgiving for the Timothy Project donation. Thank you, Soccer Chaplains United, through the Timothy Project, for bringing happiness to my people in Mexico.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as including Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico with our donations please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new 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!

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Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2017 Final Update

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Timothy Project: Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, Juarez 2017.  Soccer Chaplains United has a strong commitment to support ministry partners.  Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church of  Englewood, Colorado is a ministry partner so great efforts went into providing a robust Timothy Project donation when they requested it for their recent trip to Juarez, Mexico.

These reflections capture Emily Smith’s experience of her time on the trip:  Timothy Project generously donated many soccer-related items for our team of 35 from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church to take with us on our recent mission trip to Juarez, Mexico.  Our church has been taking teams down to Juarez for nearly thirty years and it was a blessing to be a part of this year’s team.  So much of what we are doing while there is to support and encourage the local church with which we partner.

We strive to draw in as many people from the community as possible.  Soccer and games are instrumental in that effort.  Sharing the Timothy Project donations with the local church and community during a long and lively game of soccer at the city park one of the days we were there was such a delight.  We divided the shirts and jerseys between the two teams of players and continued on with our game, enjoying it all the more because of the gifts. Chaplain Brad Kenney, director of Soccer Chaplains United and a team member for Juarez shared,

 

It’s always amazing to me how a round ball can break down so many barriers – age, gender, culture, language – we were all able to play and share in a fun game of soccer with people from the church.  Shouts of ‘aqui’ or ‘tranquilo’ throughout the game made our time memorable.

Later in the week, a particularly special blessing for us was getting to hear the church leaders tell us about the first mission trip they took as a church last year into Mexico City and surrounding impoverished areas.  After many years of receiving the love and encouragement of our church’s mission to them, they were inspired to do the same and go out and support a church in their own country on a mission trip.  We gathered together one night for them to show us a slideshow of pictures from their trip and to hear more about how they were impacted by it.  We surprised them at the end of that evening with more Timothy Project gifts, but these were for them to give on their next mission trip. Parker Dragovich, team lead for this year’s trip, shared about the church,

We have been in partnership with La Iglesia Maranatha for almost 30 years, and the Timothy Project has been a wonderful addition the past several years.  What made this particularly special is that the Timothy Project not only provided us with supplies for our trip but also supplies for the Juarez church to take on their own mission trip to southern Mexico next summer.

 

Sharing soccer jerseys and gear with them during our fun day at the park was sweet but how much sweeter it was to give them a gift that they could pass along.  The truth that it is better to give than to receive was written all over their faces as they teared up with joy from the blessing they would be able to pass on to others.  Thank you, Timothy Project, for your generosity and work in stewarding gifts and allowing us to use those gifts to bless others.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as this one to Juarez, Mexico please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new 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!

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Timothy Project Donations – How the Gear Gets From Here to There

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Long before Soccer Chaplains United begins to pull gear for a trip, many things are happening to plant the seeds that will grow into a bounty of blessings in a far-off land.

When a church partner or organization is in the planning stages of a mission trip they first determine if taking along soccer gear will fit into their trip goals. If so, the group then decides if they have packing space to travel with the gear and do they have a place or group of people to whom the gear will be given.

The group will then come to Soccer Chaplains United’s website and fill out a form formally requesting gear. In the form, they share details about their trip, which gear they’d like and how much they’re able to take. Once approved Soccer Chaplains United sets to work preparing for the give. Often times Soccer Chaplains United purchases new equipment due to the fact that not all items requested are donated, such as soccer balls or soccer nets.

Soccer Chaplains United will prepare in advance by gathering all the requested supplies to be delivered to the group’s Packing Party. At the Packing Party, a Soccer Chaplains United team member will formally present the gear with a talk and a prayer.

Soccer Chaplain United’s latest award was to church partner Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church for their annual trip down to Juarez, Mexico.

Reverend Brad Kenney presented the donations, which included coolers, jerseys, soccer balls, water bottles, cleats, socks, and t-shirts. He shared from where it all came and the spirit in which it was given to Soccer Chaplains United. He talked about the privilege it is for the Timothy Project to be involved in reaching the people of Juarez with these gifts.

As the Denver Community Coordinator, I was able to be in attendance and because Rev Kenney was going on the trip, he asked me to pray for the team, the trip, and the donations. This was a neat opportunity for me and is part of of what we value doing at Soccer Chaplains United — not just giving away gear, but blessing the people and groups who will give it and those who will receive it. My prayer over the team went something like this:

Father God, we praise You for this opportunity that this team of families from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Churchs has to travel to Juarez to work alongside the community and to bless them with this soccer gear that is before us.  Lord, we pray for strength and unity within the Cherry Creek Presbyterian team that they are able to represent the Body of Christ well.  We thank you for the gift of this soccer gear, let it be a blessing to all those who receive it in Juarez.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as this one to Juarez, Mexico please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new 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!

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Timothy Project – Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church Juarez 2017

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Soccer Chaplains United’s Timothy Project is pleased to once again supply Colorado Rapids soccer donations to ministry partner, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church as a team of 30 plans to cross the US/Mexico border into Juarez.  Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church has been working closely with the community in Juarez for several years and it is always a joy to partner with them when a team goes down each year.

As the years pass and teams continue to go travel to Juarez, relationships with the local residents continue to grow, continue to deepen.  Soccer is an integral reason for this.  Pick up soccer games are common morning, noon and evening and all are welcome to play, regardless ability and skill.  The Timothy Project has helped to build the bridge between Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church members and the people of Juarez.  Timothy Project gear opens the door for soccer to be played.

This year the team will consist of several families, many of whom have young children.  Most of these children have not experienced a cross-cultural opportunity that this trip will afford.  One young participant, Jacob Smith, shares his excitement as the travel date nears.

“My name is Jacob Smith. I am 11 years old and am headed to Juarez, Mexico with 30 other people from my church. This is my first mission trip. We are going to a small church to help them run a VBS program for their community and help with work projects such as building houses. I love soccer and have been playing since I was three years old. I am looking forward to reaching kids in Mexico by playing soccer with them. I can’t wait to make new friends and share soccer gifts from the Timothy Project with them. Thank you so much for supporting our trip and sharing with the kids in Juarez.”

Though the team asked for minimal donations, due to the extreme generosity of the Colorado Rapids supplying Soccer Chaplains United, through the Timothy Project, is able to send far more than they requested.  These pictures show the gathering of the gear that will travel with the team into Juarez.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as this one to Juarez, Mexico please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new 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

Timothy Project: Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico 2017

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectTimothy Project: Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico 2017 is a dream come true for Andrea Duran who has desired to reach the poor of rural Mexico for many years.  After a year of saving her personal funds, organizing a VBS and orchestrating it all with her sisters who live in Mexico, Duran is ready to travel to Nuevo Tantoan.  While in the area she and her sisters will encourage and support the local soccer team with donations from CrossTraining’s Timothy Project.

Duran shares her heart and long-time desire, “My dream is to be a missionary and help the children living in poverty in Mexico. For that reason, a year ago I began to save money for this project. I have around $1,000 for this mission trip and I will be using my pickup to take all the things that I need.  My sisters will be helping me in the VBS.”

Vacation Bible School is not the only project Duran and her sisters will be completing while in Mexico.  They will also visit the local soccer team, Los Burritos.  This soccer team has been in existence for 38 years and they represent Nuevo Tantoan in the area’s league.  Thirty eight years ago the team began with children.  As the children grew into youth and ultimately young adults then adults, the league was growing as well.  It expanded into surrounding rural communities around Nuevo Tantoan.  Over the years Los Burritos have celebrated several championships in the spring and fall tournaments.  They are a very popular team in the area.

Duran is excited for her visit with Los Burritos.  She says, “Los Burritos have remained playing soccer in this league, despite the situations and awful circumstances around them. This rural community is a very poor community and these youth and young adult have remained far from the bad life around them. There are problems with drug dealers but Los Burritos have chosen to be focused in sports activities and give a good example to the children of Nuevo Tantoan.”

Duran is excited to receive 30 Rapids jerseys and six soccer balls to take to Los Burritos.  She knows that the jerseys and balls will be a help and encouragement to them. Her husband, Reverend Cesar Duran, has served with CrossTraining as an assistant chaplain who serves the Spanish speaking players and families.  The Rapids team and CrossTraining Ministries are both dear to her heart.

“With the VBS I will be reaching the children, but with the Rapids jerseys I want to reach the young and young adult of this rural community.” Duran says.

To support future Timothy Project ventures, such as Timothy Project: Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico  2017, please use the Donate button 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!

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Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016 Final Update

Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016 Final UpdateCrossTraining’s church partner Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church recently returned from Juarez, Mexico, and a week-long mission trip. This year, the short-term mission worked on several things while in Juarez, but perhaps none more important than the relationships with area families, youth, and adults through soccer and other activities, as they share in the Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016 Final Update.

Team member Ruben Rodriguez gave this summary of their time,

k09a4384A few weeks ago we returned from an incredible trip down to Juarez, Mexico.  Our team was comprised of a couple of families, some high school students, and adult volunteers. All were there to help run VBS and do work projects.  The area of Juarez we stayed in is impoverished. Most houses are made from simple brick and mortar, crude door and widow coverings.  The people who live there are on the lower income scale. Most of them working long and odd hours to earn enough money to buy food and keep their electricity on.  Despite the hardships that people live in, there is no shortage of joy or hope among them. We always celebrate with them on arrival, and share in their sadness when we leave.
Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016 Final UpdateNowhere is that kind community more felt than the several times a day that we played soccer. We play with children, high school students, and adults from all around the neighborhood.  We would play a quick pick up game in the morning, one in the afternoon, and then a larger one in the evening – usually late into the night.  These are games go for an hour or longer at a time, with people of all different skill levels joining in.
Much like the rest of the trip, the thing we’ve gleaned most from these times with the Mexican people is that they are not interested in whether we can or cannot play, the level of our skill, etc.  The thing that is most important is our willingness to enter into community and relationship with them, be that while building a house together, running VBS alongside them, or kicking a ball on a dusty field as the sun sets behind the Hueco Mountains.  Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016 Final UpdateThere are dozens of stories we brought back with us about meeting new people, incidents of athletic greatness and sportsmanship on the field, kids who stuck out to us during VBS – but the one thing that continues to resonate with us long after coming home is how much we are missed by our friends in Mexico, and how much we miss them in return.

Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016 Final UpdateIf you would still like to make a contribution to this project please note (Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2016) in your donation and use the Donate Now link to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps CrossTraining cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer balls and equipment, and other outreach tools.

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Timothy Project: Against the “Goat Heads”

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectCherry Creek Presbyterian Church recently returned from their time serving in Juarez, Mexico. On their latest trip they took a number of One World Play soccer balls. And recently sent some feedback to CrossTraining on this hybrid soccer ball. Namely, that the balls seem to work against the “goat heads” thorns that would normally puncture a normal soccer ball.

They’re great for the kids! In this environment, it’s held up remarkably well. There are lots of “goat heads” here – which are like the prickly sticker weed things – and the ball has been covered in them…we just brush them off and keep going. [Our leader] thinks a regular ball would be flat by now.

goat heads

When you make a financial contribution to CrossTraining, you help support projects like these.  Your financial gift helps to provide 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!

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