We made it down safely! There were a few snags, but over all, it was a rather smooth trip. Orlando, bus to Miami, flight to Manaus. All successful legs.
Customs was my biggest enemy today. Our group was large enough that it pushed us all the way up to the opening kick-off of the USA v. England game in group play of the World Cup. The original plan was to be back at the hotel by kick-off so that our team could enjoy the experience of watching a US World CUp match in the country that loves soccer more than any other... Brazilia! Fortunately, we were on the bus, back to the hotel, and on the our scheduled lunch at a restaurant down the street in time for the second half. The US evened up the score at 1-1, and although I would have loved a win against England, I'll take the tie at this point.
The night ended with a great dinner at our partner church here in Manaus, Igreja Presbyteriana De Manaus (IPM), and a good time of teaching and worship. In Portuguese. Which none of us speak. But, God is good, and even though we didn't have any translation, we all felt His spirit and confort while worshiping with fellow Christians. It's amazing how welcoming and at home you feel when surrounded by your brothers and sisters in Christ.
I'm rooming with two great guys from my trip last year, Christian and Nader. I'm looking forward to the continued comradery we had last year. Another year, and 10 more days of intense soccer will only help us grow closer together.
Please continue to pray for me and my whole team. Safety and health both on and off the field will be one of our biggest concerns. Please also pray for the Brazilians we try to reach through the love and universal language of soccer. God has given us the ability to relish in His goodness and passion on the field. Soccer is a great witness to His creativity.
From June 12-22 I get to be a part of something remarkable and I am hoping you'll participate too.
I'm heading with a small team to Brazil to play soccer in tournaments both in Manaus (the capitol city of the Amazon state) and in villages along the Amazon river. Northland, a church I've attended on and off through my cross-country moves for about 7 years, has an ongoing partnership with Igreja Presbyteriana de Manaus, one of the largest churches in the Amazon. IPM has some amazing ways to care for people through soccer, and we're privileged this summer to be a part of their ministry.
Last year, through some prayer and thought, I went to Manaus, Brazil to play soccer and minister to the children there. In the 10 days I was in Brazil, in a similar way to most people who have taken a mission trip, I received far more than I gave. I learned many things, strengthened existing friendships, and made many more. Seeing God working through the lives of His servants in Brazil far outweighed anything I gave back while there. I was pushed and grew personally. I worshiped God and witnessed of His glory without a common spoken language, but still connect by using the physical gifts God gave me to run, kick, and sweat on the soccer field with people who may never have heard of God's love for them and the sacrificial gift of Jesus' death on cross.
In a similar fashion to the trip last year, we will travel by boat up the Amazon. In rural villages we will hold a soccer tournament, play games and spend time with the families who spend their lives near the banks of the world's largest river. The second part of the trip we'll head back to Manaus to support a pretty amazing ministry to street kids. Every week a former pro runs a soccer camp that attracts thousands of kids. Many of the players are living on the streets, and this program supported by our partner gives them continuity and hope and love. Through this soccer ministry, they have a place to hear about the hope bigger than soccer, found in Christ, and every week they get to see Christ's love manifest through the tireless care given them by the volunteers running the program. Last year I was able to see the love that IPM and their soccer ministry showed to the children of Manaus. It was truly a remarkable trip.
The goal throughout this trip is to use our presence to try to attract larger crowds, so that Igreja Presbyteriana De Manaus has a chance to serve and care for even more people than usual.
The logistical overhead of a soccer team trip to Brazil is staggering, though we are convinced the value to this trip far exceeds any cost.
If you want to financially join us, you can give online via the instruction to the right. If you want to support us by prayer, please let me know directly.
As a team member you'll be able to follow along as we prepare and document our experience at northlandchurch.net.
If you have questions or want to encourage me you can call me on my cell phone at (407) 620-4469 or email me at me@iamaaronmartin.com.
