A street near our hotel
We got creative while painting the church
Gathered at the scenic flag site
We fit right in at the Tigres game Wednesday, September 5, 2007
More from Monterrey
A street near our hotel We got creative while painting the church Gathered at the scenic flag site We fit right in at the Tigres game 
All Around Monterrey
Me, Ford and Mauricio the the Caves
Gamby, David, Hunt, Mauricio, Me, and Skridge taking a break
Everyone after dinner at the Garza's home
Posing in front of a government building downtown
After the hike to the waterfall
After a delicious meal made by Andres' brother
Practice before playing Tigres 2 
Zach playing against the Tigres 3
Festivities before the Tigres' season opener
Ford and I with the crazy fan
At the Orphanage
We took turns with the Pinata
Ford and his new soccer buddy
Julian and the kids waiting for lunch
These two were inseperable
The cupcakes for desert were messy and delicious!
Adult City League Game
Team Photo before the game 
Sharing with the team after the match
Hanging out after the game
Zach and Derek showing off their medals
Team Photo after the game
Collins and Ben with kids from the game
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Last Match in Monterrey
Picking up from the last post, we played our final soccer game against another team from the local adult league. The game was actually more wild than either game against the Tigres, which was the result of several factors. The field we played on was made of an artifical turf and we had a hard time controlling the ball on it. This resulted in some dangerous tackles and a really unpredictable game. The referee allowed a lot of fouls and the game almost got out of hand.
Although the game ended in a 3-3 tie we were disappointed with ourselves because we lacked the self-control and disipline to play through the frustration. Yet despite our failure the Lord was able to redeem it and use even our mistakes to bring Him glory. After the game both teams gathered together and Coach Miglarese gave a short testimony. He explained that while we seek to bring glory to God by the way we play, sometimes (e.g. in that game) we make mistakes and do a poor job of showing the gospel on the field. And that knowing we have failed, the Lord still loves us and forgives us even though we don't deserve it.
Coach then let me share a quick personal testimony after which we exchanged trophies and medals. We even got to trade jerseys with the other team (This is a gesture of mutual respect and goodwill often done after an international match). We all shared a snack and got to hang out and talk to eachother for a while. We made it a point to try to connect our friends from the church with the players who were not believers. Overall, I feel like we as a team were humbled by our mistakes yet encouraged by the Lord's faithfulness. It is amazing to see the Lord working in the midst of our weakness; I think that in this way His glory is seen ever clearer when juxtaposed with our mistakes.
Although the game ended in a 3-3 tie we were disappointed with ourselves because we lacked the self-control and disipline to play through the frustration. Yet despite our failure the Lord was able to redeem it and use even our mistakes to bring Him glory. After the game both teams gathered together and Coach Miglarese gave a short testimony. He explained that while we seek to bring glory to God by the way we play, sometimes (e.g. in that game) we make mistakes and do a poor job of showing the gospel on the field. And that knowing we have failed, the Lord still loves us and forgives us even though we don't deserve it.
Coach then let me share a quick personal testimony after which we exchanged trophies and medals. We even got to trade jerseys with the other team (This is a gesture of mutual respect and goodwill often done after an international match). We all shared a snack and got to hang out and talk to eachother for a while. We made it a point to try to connect our friends from the church with the players who were not believers. Overall, I feel like we as a team were humbled by our mistakes yet encouraged by the Lord's faithfulness. It is amazing to see the Lord working in the midst of our weakness; I think that in this way His glory is seen ever clearer when juxtaposed with our mistakes.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Noticias de Monterrey - Saturday thru Monday
The past few days have been an incredible blur. This whole trip seems somewhat surreal. Since we arrived on Friday we have played a lot of soccer, gotten a taste of life in Monterrey, met a lot of people, and really gotten to know each other a whole lot better. In the midst of it all, the Lord has clearly been working in and around us.
On Saturday we drove about an hour from downtown to the Tigres' training facility which they nicknamed the 'Tiger's Cage'. We played a game against "Tigres 3" which is one of theTigres' youth teams. During halftime, I met a player from "Tigres 2" named Marco and he informed me that we would play each other later in the week. After the game, which ended 1-1, the players quickly left and besides some short conversations on the pitch, we only had a chance to speak briefly. Later in the day we went to watch the Tigres play an exhibition match in front of thousands of fans. The atmosphere was indescribable and the fans were absolutely crazy. They even had a section fenced off for the most extreme ones who never stopped chanting the entire match. Ford Quarterman and I went over and one of the fans let us beat one of the drums he was pounding.
Sunday was incredible. We went to church at "Encuentro Con Dios" with Andres and got to spend some time getting to know some of the members afterwards. The service was beautiful and I was able to understand most of it with the help of my newfound friend Mauricio. We met after Sunday school and sat together during the service. Over the past few days we have had a chance to get to know one another better. Neither one of us can communicate that well in each other's language, but we have been helping one another out.
On Monday we played a game against a local adult league. Andres told us that the team was mainly unbelievers and hoped that we could share the gospel and establish some relationships with the players. After the game Allen Eskridge gave a short testimony in which he shared the gospel. Then we shared a small meal and got to know a few of the other players. It was a great time for both teams and a good way for Andres and the people from the church to reach out into the community. Please pray that the Lord would continue to work in their lives and that the seeds which were planted will result in many new relationships with Christ.
Also, please pray for me as I will be sharing my testimony with the team we play tonight. I pray that the words I say and the way we play would be filled with the gospel. I know that the Lord is working in us and through us and I pray that we'd be examples of Christ's love.
On Saturday we drove about an hour from downtown to the Tigres' training facility which they nicknamed the 'Tiger's Cage'. We played a game against "Tigres 3" which is one of theTigres' youth teams. During halftime, I met a player from "Tigres 2" named Marco and he informed me that we would play each other later in the week. After the game, which ended 1-1, the players quickly left and besides some short conversations on the pitch, we only had a chance to speak briefly. Later in the day we went to watch the Tigres play an exhibition match in front of thousands of fans. The atmosphere was indescribable and the fans were absolutely crazy. They even had a section fenced off for the most extreme ones who never stopped chanting the entire match. Ford Quarterman and I went over and one of the fans let us beat one of the drums he was pounding.
Sunday was incredible. We went to church at "Encuentro Con Dios" with Andres and got to spend some time getting to know some of the members afterwards. The service was beautiful and I was able to understand most of it with the help of my newfound friend Mauricio. We met after Sunday school and sat together during the service. Over the past few days we have had a chance to get to know one another better. Neither one of us can communicate that well in each other's language, but we have been helping one another out.
On Monday we played a game against a local adult league. Andres told us that the team was mainly unbelievers and hoped that we could share the gospel and establish some relationships with the players. After the game Allen Eskridge gave a short testimony in which he shared the gospel. Then we shared a small meal and got to know a few of the other players. It was a great time for both teams and a good way for Andres and the people from the church to reach out into the community. Please pray that the Lord would continue to work in their lives and that the seeds which were planted will result in many new relationships with Christ.
Also, please pray for me as I will be sharing my testimony with the team we play tonight. I pray that the words I say and the way we play would be filled with the gospel. I know that the Lord is working in us and through us and I pray that we'd be examples of Christ's love.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Noticias de Monterrey - Friday
Good news, we arrived safe and sound in Monterrey on Friday night. The trip went smoothly despite barely making our connecting flight in Houston. And we made it through customs without too much hassle (From our entire team of suspicious looking guys, only Meredith, our trainer, and Gambrell, our assistant coach, were stopped and searched).
Andrés Garza met us at the airport and took us by bus to our hotel in downtown Monterrey. El Gran Paso Inn is on one of the main streets of Monterrey. I could spend hours describing the beautiful mountains which surround the city and reach with jagged peaks into the belly of the sky. The summits of a few are rarely visible because they are hidden in the clouds! Meanwhile, the bright colors which decorate many of the buildings and the countless advertisements pasted on every square inch of the buildings themselves are mesmerizing. And at night the entire horizon is dotted with lights which also reach partway up the mountainsides.
I was personally intrigued by the monumental sculptures that are prominently placed along the main roadways and at every major intersection. The styles range from bronze figurative works done in a baroque manner to some rather abstract contemporary pieces made with various industrial materials like steel and concrete.
As our first day in Monterrey came to an end, I relaxed in our hotel room watching a local television station on which a mariachi band was playing. It took me a while to fall asleep because I was so excited about playing our first game and getting to know some of the people we'll be spending time with....
....Coming up in the next 'Noticias de Monterrey' Saturday edition, I'll tell you about our game with the Tigres, my interesting encounter with a die-hard Tigres fan, and a few more highlights of the day. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek to worship the Lord in everything; while playing soccer, hanging out with the teams, or having a meal with the local church. It is my prayer that the Lord would overcome the language barrier and that the Gospel would be spread as much by our actions as by our words. Praise the Lord for our safe travel thus far, and may His name be glorified in Mexico!
Andrés Garza met us at the airport and took us by bus to our hotel in downtown Monterrey. El Gran Paso Inn is on one of the main streets of Monterrey. I could spend hours describing the beautiful mountains which surround the city and reach with jagged peaks into the belly of the sky. The summits of a few are rarely visible because they are hidden in the clouds! Meanwhile, the bright colors which decorate many of the buildings and the countless advertisements pasted on every square inch of the buildings themselves are mesmerizing. And at night the entire horizon is dotted with lights which also reach partway up the mountainsides.
I was personally intrigued by the monumental sculptures that are prominently placed along the main roadways and at every major intersection. The styles range from bronze figurative works done in a baroque manner to some rather abstract contemporary pieces made with various industrial materials like steel and concrete.
As our first day in Monterrey came to an end, I relaxed in our hotel room watching a local television station on which a mariachi band was playing. It took me a while to fall asleep because I was so excited about playing our first game and getting to know some of the people we'll be spending time with....
....Coming up in the next 'Noticias de Monterrey' Saturday edition, I'll tell you about our game with the Tigres, my interesting encounter with a die-hard Tigres fan, and a few more highlights of the day. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek to worship the Lord in everything; while playing soccer, hanging out with the teams, or having a meal with the local church. It is my prayer that the Lord would overcome the language barrier and that the Gospel would be spread as much by our actions as by our words. Praise the Lord for our safe travel thus far, and may His name be glorified in Mexico!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)