Late Nights

We've been out late too many nights in a row. Each time it was for a good reason but it was really nice to stay IN tonight. Our VCR and our DVD player are both in the shop so we just chilled together as a little fam.

Heather was properly tucked in at bedtime this evening and didn't have to fall asleep in her dad's arms. Below find a snap from Tuesday night when she snoozed at our dinner for Wild Hope's adopted soccer team. It's Ramadan right now so the dinner had to be late.

I guess you can't tell from Heather's expression how much we believe in the young men of our team! May they overcome the challenges of their oppressed community and grow into men who transform their worlds!

So This is Why We're Here...

As previously mentioned, last week was a wee bit frustrating with seemingly endless internet woes, meaning that check lists of things to get done via the net were left grumpily un-checked. There's nothing like a to-do list that doesn't bare sassy pencil marks signifying the completion of even one single task to make me grind my teeth.

Friday night's calm reprieve from all that was lovely and the weekend went on into busy this and thats.

Sunday afternoon we piled into the car and bounced down to Unga. Ltd. where our Nyota FC boys were playing in the final game of a local tournament. It was a tournament for the oldest team so Skyler Russell was on the field with the guys.

Wild Hope has adopted this team and you can read more about them here.

All of this is to say that after a kind of crummy week in some regards, Sunday evening was joy. Our team shone, winning a fine 3-0 victory over the neighborhood rivals. They were photogenic in the gorgeous African light and we didn't have any cameras with us! Two cameras were left at home and the one that was brought along was out of batteries!

So let's see... how could I help you see this?

Imagine a sloping field, rutted by rain and littered with garbage that blows off the heaps at the high end. Picture a depressed neighborhood where it's not too safe to be out at night. Picture 22 young men in smart uniforms running around the pitch, avoiding the ankle breaking ditches and holes and playing their hearts out. Picture a young bull wandering away from the dumped garbage to cross the field during the game. Picture a herd of goats doing the same!

Picture crowds of kids cheering and dancing with every goal. Picture them surging onto the pitch the moment the final whistle was blown. Picture our team dancing around with the big trophy over the heads. Picture the pride and healthy self worth in the eyes of every person on that team.

Picture us all crammed into a tiny space that they use as club house. Picture their laughter and revelry as we made plans for a party at end of the week.

We pulled away into the night, leaving them together with their Cup, their joy and their finely won pride.

I'm still smiling today as I remember it all. Honestly, if we only came here for this group of guys, it would be enough for me.