Holland Christian
Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
After Anna's school visit was over we went on a brief souvenir shopping trip, organized a lot of clothes that we had brought to give away and for lunch ate any food that remained from the week. Next, we went back to Anna's school and listened to Jane VanderBeek tell us what a blessing the guys were to her and her family and how God has used others to impact and bless their family as they have started a year of mission work here. You can help the VanderBeeks by donating on their blog that is linked on our blog. Please keep them in your prayers as they adjust to a new climate (they do not have air conditioning), culture and school. Also pray for and donate to Anna's school as they need money to build a school. This is a Christian school that is changing hearts here in Quepos.
Next we went to meet guys from the drug rehab center. At the center we dropped off a lot of clothes and soccer cleats. We then headed to the soccer field for our final soccer scrimmage. There were about 8 players from the drug rehab center so I recruited some players that just happened to be hanging out near the soccer field. This is a very common occurrence. Most of the recruits had to quick go home and get their soccer stuff as we warmed up. We then made some teams and had a blast. What I love about the soccer here is that everyone seems to play it and play it well. It has been a joy to play in a country where everyone is so passionate about the game. We also had Lenin play with us. He is a man we meet the first day at camp. I found out today that Lenin came to the camp because a social studies teacher, who heard about the camp from the peace corps at school, invited him. Lenin works the night shift and normally slept during the hours of our camp last week but rather than sleep he came and helped at our camp all three days. He said it was worth it. Every time we saw him he had such a big smile on his face. Later in the week he refereed one of our games. It was a thrill to have him play with us today, go with us to hang out after the game at the drug rehab center, and finally go out to dinner.
At the drug rehab center we heard the powerful testimonies of 4 individuals. One of them told us he had been on drugs since he was 9, had slit his mother's throat over money and killed 6 people along the way. He now loves the Lord and works at the center. After their testimonies Elliot shared why we did the trip and then our guys gave them their soccer jersey. It was great to see the smile on their faces. It has been amazing how excited the players here get about a simple jersey. Even refs and coaches ask to have a jersey. After eating some bread and having sweet coffee our group headed to dinner. I walked there with George VanderBeek and Lenin. George had already planned that he would go to the center once a week to mentor some guys. Along the way to dinner Lenin said he would go with him. This excited me because the connections that were made due to soccer were now going to translate into something more that God could use to transform lives. I had dinner with Lenin, Anna and a delightful lady named Laura who started the drug rehab center with her husband. They came to Quepos from Indiana to serve the Lord here years ago. After a great dinner we said our good byes and went home to pack and then debrief. Tonight I learned what about the trip impacted the players and how they may alter their lives once we get home due to the trip. These are great questions to ask your son or grandson. For myself it has been amazing how much the Costa Ricans pay attention to us. We have had positive comments from the cleaning lady, people staying in the condo, people watching our games, the peace corps people that worked with us during the camp, and the teachers in Anna's school about how different and well behaved these players are. I have been blessed by my players. They stepped up and did many things that were out of their comfort zone. From reading scripture and sharing their faith with children, to running camps with players aged 5 to 12, to hanging out in a different culture for 10 days. Thanks guys for being on a trip that exceeded my expectations about what God could do with us and the game of soccer. It is truly amazing!
I would like to thank Anna Slenk for first thinking about this trip and then convincing me that it was a great idea. She was right! I would also like to thank her for all the organization, shopping and driving she did for us. She was constantly on her phone arranging the next game or making sure we were all set for the next activity. She bought us groceries, cheered us on and shared her heart for the Costa Rican people with us. She did all of this well while running a school and been a newly wed as she had been married for less than two weeks when the trip started.
I would also like to thank Lee Schopp for giving us soccer balls and cleats to give away.
Thank you families for trusting Elliot, Anna and myself to lead your young sons on a great Costa Rican adventure for the Lord.
It is now time to get some rest as we prepare for the long trip home. Thanks for all you who have prayed for us. Pray for safe travel today. God bless!
Coach Strikwerda
Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
Been praying for a safe day of travel for you guys. GRACIAS to all of you for being a blessing to us, the kids at El Puente and everyone else you interacted with here.
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