What an amazing day!

We met with over 30 church leaders and youth from six different parishes and outlined the Upward Soccer program. It was immediately apparent that these are committed Christians and they were very impressed with the vision for Upward in Kenya and eager to get started. Their initial plan is to start an Upward program in six areas and then look to replicate the model all over Kenya. They have fantastic athletic ability and great passion for soccer; they just lack the resources and tools to get things organized.

After the training we went with local church leaders in Migori to a school where a group of 10-12 year old boys were playing. It was a joy to see them play and to compare them to our children who are the same age. You definitely see a difference in the style of how the play. Also, the surface of the field was red clay and rock with a little patch of grass on one sideline. Some of the boys had no shoes at all, others wore sandals  and a few had on very old cleats with big holes in the toes or somewhere else. We did not hand out the Chesterfield United FC jerseys, shorts and cleats we brought because initially we thought we were to watch older youth in their late teens or early twenties play and we have predominately youth sizes.  At half time of their game Sarah and I both were asked to say a few words to the boys and we told them we brought well wishes from everyone in America and that we were very impressed with their play and that we looked forward to helping them get uniforms, cleats and soccer balls for training. These boys are going to be so happy to get the uniforms and gear that you donated!

In addition to soccer, Sarah met a wonderful woman named Mary that teaches several different grades at the local school and tomorrow we’ll get to stop by and visit with her classes. Sarah is hoping to connect these children to her class at Ecoff.  We also met a man who is a pastor and a teacher and we are going to visit him and his students as well.

Thank you for your prayers and for donating so much soccer gear.  We only wish that you experience the joy of the Kenyan people.