Update 3... or... Well, I am just too tired to come up with a clever title

It is hard to believe that I have been here almost three weeks. The time has flown by. I was marveling earlier how things that felt strange and unfamiliar this time 2 weeks ago feel normal and home-like now. God has been gracious in allowing me that adjustment. Don't get me wrong, I am far from completely adjusted or from being considered an expert, but I am doing well! And I am growing.

This week stretched me in a different manner than one might expect to be stretched on a missions trip. I was placed in the position of manager for a team of 11-14 yr old soccer players. Yikes. Coming into this I knew that the black and white spherical thing is called a ball and you kick it towards what I believed to be called goals and that is my soccer knowledge. Well I had the best team there and they scarcely needed managing. They were amazing. The afternoon before the semis and finals, we were 6 and 1. We didn't win, which is a story I'm not going to get into... suffice it to say, I think if I have kids and they play soccer, I will probably be a nightmarish soccer mom. But anyway, I had a great team and a great "assistant" manager. And by assistant I mean he basically was in charge due to his skill and possession of know-how. But I am happy to report that not only did I learn a great deal about the sport, but I also got quite into the matches. It was an interesting mix of kids though, most coming from non-Christian, unchurched backgrounds. It was such a good week and it was a blessing to me to see them bonding with the youth and the youth pouring out God's love on them. This blessed me specifically because I realized that, as much as I am trying not to think about it, we are leaving in a week. I probably won't see most of these kids again. BUT the youth might. The church here has this ministry established. It has been such an honor and a blessing to be working alongside them.

As we finish our last week and a half, please be praying that I can end the trip well. It's so hard to keep from disengaging because I know I have to leave and it's going to hurt. Last night we had to say goodbye to one of the guys we have all gotten close to and it was so difficult. Please pray that we can all say goodbye well.

Thank you for your continued love, prayer, and support.