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Bringing sport and God to young people in the developing world
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feedback on a Transform Tour to Kenya
 This July saw a team of 11 young people head out to Kenya as part of a
partnership project between Christians in Sport and Tearfund. The trip
involved sports ministry opportunities in orphanages, children's homes and
slums, plus practical work and some time exploring the sights and sounds of
Kenya. Game of 2 Halves has supported projects in Kenya including St John's,
Pumwani which has a football and discipleship programme among young people
living in the slums.
“Many experiences that we have in life fade into our memories fairly
quickly after the event. However, there are just a few things in our
lifetime, which remain vivid even a long time after, as many things from
this trip to Kenya certainly will. For example, the hospitality and amazing
thankfulness of the Kenyan people for what they have, and the Christians are
quick to praise God for his goodness - something that struck us time and
again. Then there is the extreme poverty in Kibera slum, the third biggest
slum in the world, with over a million people squashed into an area the size
of roughly 25 football pitches, with rubbish and open sewers outside their
front doors.
  "What a feeling of inadequacy I had, questioning what on earth I could
bring to help these peoples' situations? But, for one, we brought fun, with
our games and coaching activities; many of the young people had never had an
organised training session before, something we take for granted. And most
importantly, we were able to bring and proclaim the great news of Jesus
Christ, the best thing we could take to anyone anywhere. Even if we had
visited the richest person in the world, they would still have needed Jesus,
but maybe would not so easily have recognised it. 'Things' that we have can
often block us from God, and we found an amazing openness to the gospel
during our time in Kenya. What are the 'things' blocking you from God
today?”
Dave
“Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can.
Sport can create hope where there was once despair. It breaks down racial
barriers. It laughs in the face of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in
a language they can understand.”
Nelson Mandela
“We were able to do lots of coaching sessions followed by gospel talks
and sketches throughout the time away. The whole trip was an amazing,
life-changing experience - certainly one I will never forget and definitely
worthwhile.” Ruth
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