Updates from the Marked soccer league - From Carlos, Director of soccer operations.
MARKED soccer has continued to grow among the community. What we started for a small group of guys has become the safest pastime for hundreds of children and parents who join in on the fun each and every week for practices and games. Not only have we seen a community grow in desire to play, we have seen a change of heart. Simply through imparting a heart of honor and love through the MARKED soccer team. Culture is shifting.
Today we are not only a team, we are a family made up of 10 children's soccer teams, 8 youth/adult teams and 6 girls' soccer teams (and growing). Every week the field becomes one of the most important places for every child and individual because they have found a safe place within the MARKED family.
With growth comes challenges, this year, though there may have been many, like the simple fact that we have outgrown our field (we need a couple fields!), it has also given us the drive to dream bigger. Dreaming about having multiple soccer fields where we can offer more space and for longer periods of time for these boys and girls. (Who never want to leave!)
The amazing thing, is that it is working! Each week we spend on average 35-40 hours with these individuals. Which means, not only are they being equipped in a sport and discipleship but these hours are now spent doing something other than crime. This is a major victory!
What are some of our dreams?
We dream of uniforms for each team since 90% of our teams do not have one, we dream that we can provide soccer shoes since 98% of our players do not have them (some even play in crocks, and shoes without souls), we dream of more soccer fields since it is the safest place and important to all of our children and community members. We dream of never running out of balls. And a gym stocked with equipment for extra hours of activity. We dream of a community transformed through soccer.
A ball makes a difference and a dream changes everything.
Since establishing our first soccer team we have taught and encouraged the boys dream again. We are now seeing their dreams begin to grow along with ours. Dreaming with action is the key that will change this community.
Though the challenges may continue, today we are growing and we are stronger than before because we have you, our partners. Thank you for transforming the lives of these kids and communities by believing in soccer and how it transforms hearts, lives, and communities.

Validado por la comunidad