Looking Back

A quick thought looking back at this past week. 

We talked some tonight (Sunday) about all we've done and all we've experienced this past week and I realized that what we are doing here really just a small part of a much bigger picture.  Todd Suessmuth (Suessy) has been talking Marcos in the evenings and told us about how pleased Marcos has been with all our work.  Marcos is really thrilled with the way the kids and the community have responded to our presence in Medellin.  Marcos is really looking to expand the influence of the CDUC in Medellin and legitimize it as a quality soccer organization....but it's as much for the soccer as it is for the avenue to share the Gospel and God's love to the people here.  People see our team working with the kids and interacting within the community and they ask questions and get interested... and it points back to the CDUC. This is a good thing because we are leaving in a few day, but the CDUC will still be here... and I think it'll be here for a long, long time!
    So what I realized was that are impact here may not clear cut.... we aren't really looking to have this, that, and the other done by May 27th. But what we are doing is helping the CDUC expand its influence. We are helping it dig deeper into the hearts of the people here in Colombia.  We are helping set a foundation so that the CDUC can grow bigger and stronger.  We have heard some amazing stories about young men whose lives have been radically changed through the CDUC and I believe there are more of those stories to come.  As the CDUC develops more opportunities and avenues to influence the people of Medellin through soccer, more joy and love will flow through these busy streets.   There is a lot of life here in Colombia and a lot more life to be given, that is, new, eternal life found through Jesus Christ.  I truly believe the CDUC has an amazing thing going here and it's not going to end or fade once we leave. It's really awesome to know that we are a part of something so great like the CDUC. It's been amazing to have an active role in God's work through the CDUC in Medellin.
    Pray that we can continue to have an impact here and that the CDUC can benefit in a positive and eternal way through our short time of work and help.  Pray that the seeds Messiah Men's Soccer is helping plant will grow and grow to help the CDUC spread the love and grace of God. Pray that through the work of the CDUC (and Messiah Men's Soccer) lives can continue to be pointed toward Jesus Christ and that people will continue to see God's glory throughout Medellin.

Thanks for the prayers and the support.
Sam