Update: Days 1-2

Leaving Messiah early Sunday morning, we traveled all day, arriving in Medellin in the evening. The bus ride from the airport to the stadium complex in the suburb of Bello was jaw-dropping. As soon as we rounded the mountain and the city came into view, everyone’s eyes were glued to the window for the rest of the trip. The lights of the city at night were mesmerizing, rising up the steep mountains surrounding the city, eventually blending in with the stars that could be seen through the thick clouds. Once we got to the stadium complex and were welcomed warmly by Marcos, the director of C.D.U.C, several of us played a pick-up game under lights on the new synthetic turf field.

After eating a delicious breakfast made by the cooks here at the stadium, we had a time of worship and prayer with the C.D.U.C. staff. It was an awesome experience to sing worship songs we know well in English, instead sung in Spanish. It was a great reminder of how the church of Christ is global and that we have so much in common with Christians in an entirely different continent, despite countless differences in culture, language, and life experience.

Later in the morning, Coach McCarty lead a coaching clinic for the C.D.U.C. staff, beginning by talking about the importance of team chemistry, relational investment in players and coaches, and creating buy-in in the members of a team. After the talk, we demonstrated some of our foundational drills at Messiah and learned some new ones from the coaches at C.D.U.C. After the clinic, we began work projects at the stadium. C.D.U.C. is planning on building a new soccer field on the complex, so we cleared rocks and weeds from the field site and began work on drainage ditches and a rock retaining wall surrounding the field.

After a little break, we split up into 6 teams and played a round robin tournament on the turf stadium field, with Messiah players and C.D.U.C. staff intermixed. Everyone was pretty exhausted after a long day of work in the sun, but the competition was still great, and we played until after dark. After an excellent dinner, we walked down to some of the shops down the street and sampled some of the favorite local sodas, Postobon, Quatro, and Colombiana.

This morning several groups are heading off to different sectors of the city to help coach the various C.D.U.C. coaches with their youth teams in the morning. Once we all gather back at the stadium, we’ll get ready for our first tournament game at noon versus the top team in Medellin, Antioquia Seleccion!

Here are a few pictures from the first couple days: 

Getting the bus loaded upon arrival in Medellin

Checking out the new synthetic turf field at the stadium with the city lights in the background...followed by a pretty serious game of pick-up under the lights. 

Monday morning devotional with the CDUC coaching staff...a great time of singing, prayer, and a message from Coach McCarty on "Amigos y Amor" 

Coach McCarty and Coach Faro led a coaching clinic throughout the afternoon featuring demonstrations from the Messiah and CDUC players. 

Beginning to work on the new field going in above the stadium, Marcos down in front giving us our assignments. 

Making some new friends and showing off some of our skateboarding skills

Hanging out in some of the shops right outside the stadium, enjoying some snacks and drinks

Thanks for your prayers and support. We wouldn’t be here without you!

God bless,

Messiah Men’s Soccer