ICM Women's Ministry Ceremony

After several weeks of our first Women's Ministry seminars in the Congo, we handed out certificates celebrating the women that came to nine days of teaching. The women were very happy to be there. What was encouraging to me (grace) was that at the beginning very few had their Bibles in hand and were hesitant to talk in their small groups, by the last day, all Bibles were open and the discussions were warm and thoughtful. In a culture where women aren't highly valued for their intellect and leadership, it was exciting to see their faces light up as we validated them as women created in the image of God. Sarah Bird Lewis helped me out in the last week of training. She even had a chance to tell her own story of adopting Gaby from Romania. The women were very touched by her words. Then she taught a training for some women on pedicures and manicures. We'll try and post some of those pictures tomorrow (internet has been soooo slow!).....it has been amazing to have Sarah here.

Joe and Eva's Prom

Joe and Eva Shepard went to TASOK's Prom tonight and are having a great time I'm sure! It's been fun watching them become friends and have really enjoyed each others company. They are 2 wonderful young people who will have a great time and have been very mature in handling their new friendship. Hate to say it but I'm a proud dad and think that Joe is mighty handsome (and Eva is very beautiful......). I'm sure it will be fun! By the way.....many of you can probably tell that their hair was done by Sarah Lewis, who is now here in Congo to be with Grace and ICM.

There We Were.....In Front Of The Crowd

I love this picture of Joe with the crowd filling in behind him. We hunkered down in that spot for about an hour before anyone else came onto the field.....I mean no other photographers, reporters of any kind, ball boys, team workers, field workers, refs, no one but Joe and Me and about 1000 Police in riot gear. They were on the field and 1000's more were dispersed everywhere around the stadium. We just sat there where Joe is seated watching the crowd around the stadium.

What we saw as the nearly 65,000 men....like maybe 3-4 women were in the crowd meaning they were as scarce as we Mondeli (white people).......came into the stadium was they would try and get the best seats and that caused plenty of fights breaking out all over. We watched a couple of small riots as Police would be beating some people with their batons......scary! We watched some guy being chased by a group of people from near the top of the stadium's 2nd deck, chasing him down to the railing of the deck. You could tell he was scared and fearful and he flipped over the rail and was dangling from the 2nd deck rail for like 10 seconds......then he just let go and fell into the lower section. We never did see if he got up or what happened to him.

It was a very bizarre time....we had people throwing stuff at us to get our attention, we had some firecrackers pop off right next to us that were thrown by the crowd behind us. At one point I said to Joe "are you praying?" He affirmed "I sure am", and to be very honest we were pretty stressed and frightened. But as the teams came on and as the game got going....it was like we didn't exist to the fans.

I have heard from many people that we were on TV.....the game was televised all over Congo and they zoomed in on the mondeli numerous times I guess.....happy that we were in attendance taking pictures for the TASOK News!

My Greatest Sporting Event Ever!!!!!

I could never have dreamed up an opportunity like this in my life!!!! Only Our God could ever have orchestrated what I'm about to tell you......To Him be all praise and thanksgiving!

This all started in 1977 when I was on staff with AIA (Athletes In Action/CCC) playing semi-pro soccer in Los Angeles. Each week our staff would pray fervently for all the countries around the world, soccer teams from those countries and specific players and coaches. I really believe the events that have unfolded lately are the result of those (and others) prayers for Congo.

So fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when I reported that the Congo Women's National came to our School, TASOK, to do a clinic for girls teams from around Kinshasa. Because of that, the Congo Men's Team was encouraged to come here last week and practice twice in preparation for their African Cup qualifying game last Sunday against Ethiopia. I acted as the school liaison to the team and got to know one of the Assistant coaches who I have come to know is a brother in Christ. A great guy named Christian. Well, on the Saturday practice, as the team started to gather, they circled up and said a prayer together. It was sort of like a low mumbling then moments later someone said 'Amen' and they broke up to practice. So after the practice, as the team was getting onto their bus to go back to the Hotel, I asked another coach if I could pray for the team. He said please. So, with a translator in French, I proceeded to get on the bus and prayed for the team. I prayed that God would help them control the ball beautifully, to pass with accuracy, to give them power in their shots, to help their coaches have great wisdom, and on and on.....ultimately praying that these men would recognize that God above has given them great skill to compete and that we should all honor Him. As I finished they clapped and I could tell many truly loved God as they connected with me with a smile and some thumbs up.

When I got off the bus Christian asks me 'you wouldn't want to go to the game, would you?' Duh!!!!! Yes!!!!! So he told me that Joe and I would get picked up for the game Sunday. Sure enough, Joe and I got picked up, taken to the Hotel with the team and then escorted to the field by motorcade with Police escort and all! We were sent ONTO THE FIELD where we think we were the only white people in a crowd of 60-65,000. Oh Yeah, the Head coach is white too....make that 3 of us out of 65,000 people. (Check out Joe in the picture above taking video next to the Ethiopian team.......white among darker skinned folk everywhere!!!) It was a bit intimidating but an absolute thrill as we photographed the game (stills and video) from anywhere we wanted to go. It was amazing!

Now back to the 70's......I really think God was saying to me...."Steve, your prayers are never in vain.....then (70's) and now....." As I walked around pre-game, the team and coaches would see me and wink, pumped their fist, give me a high 5 or nod in recognition that they knew who I was and what I stand for. It was an amazing day topped off by the team beating Ethiopia 2-0. They play Argentina in a friendly match at the end of May and will be coming to TASOK for more practices they tell me....pray for more opportunity to be a light for these men (players and coaches!!)