Soccer ministry in full swing- 11.2022
Even though the new sports park has been used ever since the turf was laid, we had not held a formal soccer tournament until November 3rd.
Younger players started the tournament after Cheryl and Pastor Osorto shared Christ with all who participated. Some of the players didn’t even have shoes, but nothing seemed to stop them. They were so excited to be a part of the action.
Saturday began the regular tournament. We started small, with six teams that included some of the students of the English classes, youth from the church, and various players from surrounding villages. The Kuneys and Pastor Nelson shared with the crowd how thrilling it is to see this dream finally came true, and how the sports park has a dual purpose. It is for them to have a good time, but mainly so they can hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The enthusiasm was contagious! Pastor Nelson’s wife, Sonia, was the announcer and she was a pro. Christian music was blasted out into the air and trophies awarded to the winners.
Cheryl said, “As I look out over the compound right now, the sports park is in use with our children’s program. Yesterday the TEE youth met there. We knew the sports park would be used, but we could not have imagined the enthusiasm and just how thrilled these young people are to have a place like this to come and be a part of something bigger than they are.”
There has been a lot going on around the Gathering Hearts for Honduras compound these past couple weeks. In addition to the soccer tournaments, we have hosted all night church prayer vigils and are making extensive repairs to the facilities from flood and earthquake damage. It has been all-hands-on-deck for our 20 workers plus Gary and Cheryl.
This coming Saturday, November 12th, we will host graduation ceremonies for the English/Computer/ Bible Class seniors. This is the optimum time to reach the parents of our students and to share the gospel.
As most of you know, this ministry was founded on, and is sustained by, prayer and faith. We are so glad that Pastor Nelson Osorto is leading the church in the same direction. On October 29th an all-night prayer vigil was held…young and old participated in a praise service, sermons and prayer.
Cheryl gave the first message based on the Prayer of Jabez, using examples of how God has answered prayers over the past 23 years for this ministry. One of those more recent answers is the completion of the sports park. This is an obvious testimony of God’s provision and helps raise the faith of all who are watching. We had a packed house for the prayer vigil, visible evidence of the faithfulness of our church members. Some of the congregants had walked for 40 minutes from Las Urupas, where we have planted a new church, to participate at the main church. We pray that the seeds of prayer that were planted will bear much fruit.
