A few weeks ago we hosted our first Marked soccer tournament among our village communities. Our boys broke out their new jerseys, soccer cleats, and balls gifted by some of you, and walked out with their heads held high. We watched as pride and joy radiated from their beings.
As it sank in that they were the hosts of the tournament, they quickly took their roles seriously, they were the first to arrive, kept on each other about language, fighting and keeping the field and bleachers clean. They never left each others side and made sure their new found brotherhood was cared for and respected.
You could see in the eyes of all the little kids who came to watch that new "superheroes" were being born right infront of them, and that they had a new group of young men to look up to. There were elders showing up, with a new found pride for their sons that had long been forgotten. Families came together to cheer from the bleachers, and laughter was the sound to be heard for blocks.
Other teams were tired by the end of their 3rd or 4th game, while our boys radiated with laughter. They were "strong trees planted by water, eagles soaring, strong and courageous, justice, love and mercy" as was prophesied over them and written on their forearm before the day began.
We may not have taken first place, but we are constantly seeing the victory. Especially in these boys lives. This past week more kids from Mezcala came out to practice, more of the "harder" older boys from La Peña came out as well, littles are surrounding the field watching their every move. Seasoned players whose eyes have been opened to the importance of a good role model have now been coming out to give their time to practice one on one with our boys. In the most unlikely of circumstances we are still seeing so much beauty arise from the ashes.