The forecast for Thursday was calling for rain, and boy did it rain! It started early Thursday morning (around 2:00 am) and continued steadily until daylight. The metal roof on our lodge magnified the sound of the rain. This gave us a sense that the volume of the rain was extremely heavy also. This was confirmed when we looked out the front door of our lodge and the soccer field looked like a lake. The storm included quite a bit of thunder and lightning as well. The rain never let up the entire day. It was certainly a day for indoor activities.
Because of the rain, breakfast was delayed and the work projects for the day had to be postponed. Since we could not do anything outside, we organized a ping-pong tournament. Everyone enjoyed participating. While Josh Netz won the tournament, the best ping-pong player was actually missionary, Dan Vallette. When he returned from a trip to town, Dan defeated Josh in an individual match and then teamed up with Paul Reece to win the doubles tournament.
The other indoor activity we decided to do was give the guys an opportunity to do some shopping. We went into town early so they could exchange some money and shop for gifts and souvenirs. Some of the youth group from the church met us downtown and helped interpret for us while shopping.
The rain obviously forced the cancellation of our soccer match against Centenario. However, God had other special plans for us. We moved our activity indoors and changed sports. We went to a YMCA gymnasium and had a volleyball match against a local men’s team. With Micah Herron, Grant Chai, and Paul Johns from the Northland men’s volleyball team and Dan Vallette (who plays volleyball regularly), we thought we might be able to “hold our own”. However, the men’s team from the YMCA was very experienced and skilled. We had a couple of close games with them, but never did beat them in 5 or 6 tries.
When we took a break from playing volleyball, our opponents listened closely as Micah Herron presented the gospel using the “ball of many colors”. Even though it was a soccer ball that he used (instead of a volleyball), the gospel message was very clear. We presented the “ball of many colors” to the YMCA director and she asked us to return tomorrow to share this story with the children who will be there for an activity. We are looking forward to this opportunity and are planning to invite many of these children to our soccer clinic on Saturday. Many great new contacts continue to be made for the church and camp ministry to follow up on. The director of the YMCA and some men from their volleyball team are a couple of examples.
Continue to pray for fruit from the numerous opportunities we have had to clearly present the gospel. We have given away hundreds of Bridge tracts and dozens of t-shirts with the gospel. In almost every case, without exception, the gifts have been very well received and appreciated. It is amazing how a sporting activity can break down a barrier, open a door, build a relationship, and give an opportunity to share the gospel. Had we simply met some of these people out on the street and tried to talk to them, they, most likely, would not have given us the audience that they did once we connected with them through a sports ministry. Praise the Lord for these unexpected opportunities!
Team Testimony from Josh Netz:
I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to be able to come on this trip. It seems like yesterday that it was last summer and Coach Scott was inviting me to come. My time down here has been unlike anything I have ever experienced. I didn’t know what exactly to expect coming down to Uruguay as far as the weather, food, sleeping accommodations, or the level of play for soccer. Almost all have exceeded my expectations. The meals that Mrs. Vallette and Jorge have prepared have been outstanding! I haven’t eaten this good for a week straight in a looong time. They rival my mother’s home cooked meals. The soccer games and volleyball games have been awesome! The Uruguayans have beaten us in every game that we’ve played. But the best part about the games is afterwards, when we give away the shirts and someone shares about the “ball of many colors”. Every guy is very respectful and pays attention and hopefully someone will have some questions now that the seed is planted.
What has become one the best part of my days down here, besides the great food and the games, is every morning after breakfast our whole team sits around the fire and one of the Coach Scott’s talk about Galatians. Our study through Galatians has been awesome. The Jews were teaching another Gospel and Paul tried to refocus them on the real Gospel and if they stay focused on the Cross, then loving thy neighbor will become easier. I am excited the rest of the week and for those hot springs on Tuesday. Please pray that we’ll continue to keep Christ first in everything that we do especially in the next games and that more opportunities will show up to share the Gospel or a tract.
Thankfully,
Josh Netz
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