"It's a good tired" I shared with a friend who asked about the recent family mission trip to Juárez, Mexico. Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, one of the sponsoring churches of Soccer Chaplains United, and the church where my family and I worship and are members, completed what is thought to be the 30th year of ministry and mission with Pastor Jorge Mata and his church, Iglesia Maranatha Presbiteriana. The church, just a stone's throw across the US border, has endured many struggles during the COVID pandemic — spiritually, emotionally, economically, and more. The family mission trip involves a week-long stay on the church grounds and various work projects and Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for the neighborhood children, some of

Former professional footballer, now-turned chaplain and soccer ministry leader, Jorge Vallejo and his Upper90 Ministry have announced plans for their 2021 soccer ministry trip to Honduras. The team will get set to leave for San Pedro Sula from Atlanta this December to spend a week playing competitive soccer, hosting soccer clinics, and other holistic community development and outreach moments to at-risk children, orphans, local churches and many schools and soccer clubs. Jorge Vallejo and wife, Brittany, being honored during this year's Hispanic Heritage Month for his work in the community. Jorge, a long-time Atlanta resident, is a former professional soccer player who played in Bogota, Columbia for many years before coming to the US. In addition to serving as a

Mental health is a rising concern amongst athletes in the beautiful game from professional, elite levels all the way down to the youth. With the various pressures (internal and external) how can athletes today cope with everything they see and feel, especially amidst a global pandemic that has been very isolating? Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Dr Brad Miller, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and one of four Founders of Soccer Resilience, is my guest and he shares about the work that his organization is undertaking with individual athletes and different clubs and teams around the US. We talk about the importance and value of mental health and hear a little bit of Brad's story of playing soccer as

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United has started with a bang! Three goals in two games, a social and journalistic media frenzy, an all-time record for number of shirts bearing his name and number being sold and Untied fans around the world excited to see his return. Homecoming stories are some of the best stories aren't they? We see homecomings on social media and even read about them in the Bible — the return of the ark of God to the people of Israel under King David's reign brought about tremendous rejoicing. And Jesus tells us a parable (a story) of a lost son finding his way home to his father and his family after being a long way away.

The death of Afghan teenager, Zaki Anwari, as he fell from a plane while trying to escape the Taliban takeover in Kabul was saddening news as the world looked on to the despairing events of a few weeks ago. Zaki, described as a strong center back and bright student — had high hopes and aspirations and these came face to face with a grim reality as Taliban forces surged into the city of Kabul. Today, on the podcast, in a way trying to honor Zaki's memory, I wrestle with what drove Zaki to go to the airport that fateful day and what led him to hold onto that plane, although it would never have worked out the way that anyone