world cup fever

it is what every student is taking about at the kinyago dandora school this week. this country loves its soccer. we have played it everyday at break. its been a good thing that i have played mostly with the junior highers, cause i can really compete with 11 and 12 year olds.

some of my favorite memories will be kicking the new balls that were donated from our small group back in dallas, with the students. when we are playing soccer with the students, it is so easy to see them as students - not as poor africans, or underpriviledged kids - simply students that love to play the beautiful game.

they do not kick the ball, and then think, "i am very poor, or i do not have the opportunities of other kids in the world." they kick the ball and think, "if i make this run i may get open for a goal, or i should go defend this guy."

the bottom line is that they are kids, playing the beautiful game. and we got to play it with them. we may have taught them how to kick the ball a bit better, but they taught us that kids are kids everywhere. they have dreams, and goals, and confidence, and they are full of hope.

now i am more full of hope because of them.