This is a 360 Degree Video – feel free to take a look around to see Thailand to the fullest.
A couple of weeks ago I got the privilege of visiting my first Sports Friends Camp. I traveled to Thailand: the opposite side of the world, where elephants roam free and soccer is the favorite past time. We were located four hours southwest of Bangkok, near the boarder of Myanmar (Burma). I arrived with few expectations and was very curious to see how this camp ministry functions in the daily setting.
On Tuesday, before the kids and coaches rolled in, the staff and volunteers practiced the upcoming week’s activities and participated in a friendly game of soccer. These guys can play! Thailand is blessed to have so many talented coaches and staff, both in soccer and the truth of God’s word.
On Wednesday the kids arrived with their coaches. We had opening ceremonies with singing and silliness. We quickly divided them up into teams and started the ice breaker games. These games helped unite the teams and taught them about working together and championing one another. After lunch we traveled to the soccer field. They had warm-ups and practice, then competed in that day’s tournament. I’m amazed at how talented the kids are compared to the kids here in the states. It was good to see how the coaches interacted with their athletes and how supportive the staff and volunteers where to the coaches. We closed the night with awards for the day and more laughter. The coaches and their athletes went to their cabins and had family time where they were encouraged to discuss the days events and lessons. We stayed back and prayed for them.
On Thursday the day started early with a morning run and exercise. The kids went back to the soccer field and I stayed behind to meet up with some of the ISS Team (International Support Services… a.k.a. the Communications Team). I’m amazed at the talent God’s assembled for this ministry. We discussed the next year’s projects and got to know each other better. I cannot wait to join these creative, energetic, talented God-trusting coworkers!
Each night ended in a staff skit where we acted out Biblical stories with lots of props and lots of laughter. The kids were enthralled and very receptive to learning about God’s word. Again, at the end of the night the coaches had “Family Time” where they asked the athletes about the lessons and skit they had encountered that day. We prayed for their interactions.
The majority of Thais are Folk Buddhist, and Christians come in at a just 0.7% of it’s population. I can’t help but be optimistic for Thailand’s future. I think of the early Church starting from the eleven disciples, and how God selects people for His purposes. I look at the people ministering here to the youth and see their passion, love, and devotion to God for the sake of their own people’s salvation. I look at how Sports Friends functions as a ministry and can’t help but believe the church in Thailand will explode in the next decade. What a blessing to play a part of the body of Christ in the beautiful location of Thailand!