And that dream grows bigger in reality every day. Starting with the Charlotte Eagles, it has now moved to include working with the Knoxville Force professional team, into a new foundation called Kick'n Back. Not only does it "recycle" soccer gear to the refugees in and around Knoxville, but it also allows businesses and people to "kick back" their skills and resources to help those in need. How awesome is it, that the the CAK soccer team is now working with a church and Robert Hodge to help the same Burundian refugees that I have been coaching! They will be helping the refugees in building their gardens to help feed the people around the Londsdale complex.
WBIR did a news clip on their garden just this weekend!Burundi garden
And at senior night at the CAK vs. Hardin Valley game, the schools have allowed us to come and collect soccer gear for our African friends. Free admission to anyone who donates. What a blessing for us, and for the Burundians.
When we played last week, several of the guys had different cleats on, and different sizes. Most asked to wear my cleats when I wasn't playing, because they had nothing. Many have sent me messages of "please find size 11s!" I would give them mine, but I wear a 9.5!
John Russell, owner of Johnny Longs soccer academy saw the needs of those boys. As we were training at his location (which he so graciously allowed us to use at no charge!) he quickly went to his lost and found and brought over the cleats that were left in there. "Let them use these. And we'll find some more for them to use!". He later came with t shirts and shorts for them, too. He called me that night and had an idea for hosting a soccer tournament to aid the guys. How incredible is that?
Our first donor saw the need for things and wrote us a check for $1000! The husband and wife wanted the guys to have the same opportunity and gear that most Americans take for granted. The boys and I proudly wore our new pennies to practice, and kicked around our new soccer balls (which included over 30 balls donated by another group!).
Things are really going full speed with so many things in our lives now. The Charlotte Eagles tour is getting ready to get under way, with the addition of a greatly needed keeper for the women's team! I got to coach a middle school game today, and will be coaching an AYSO practice tomorrow. Life is GOOD! And God is even better. While he has blessed me with an ability to use a soccer ball and direct people around a field of grass, I am honored to "kick back" those skills in His name to win something so much more valuable than a championship ring.
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