Evan - torneo (Sequel #4)

Sequel #4 (positive) to July/August 2010 Update: What possibly could be more positive than the fact that the Tepic church (Iglesia Bíblica Bautista Misericordia – Tepic) is known for her diligence in praying faithfully and trusting our omnipotent Father for the outcome that is promised for our present and ultimate good? I can’t even begin to count the hundreds of faith-building answers to prayer He has provided. Not only do our Mexican brothers and sisters pray sincerely, passionately and faithfully for people and matters close to home, but also they pray for needs around the world that are brought to our attention. For nearly a year now, since we first heard of Evan’s (a friend of this ministry who lives in Arizona) cancer, he has been on every prayer list. Not a week has passed that we haven’t prayed for his healing, for his comfort even in his agonizing chemo, stem cell transplant, and radiation treatments, for his family, and for the severe financial strains they are experiencing as a result of this trial. The IBBM young people have particularly identified with their young brother, and they have felt the need to do more than just pray, based on the Bible’s admonition in James 2:15, 16: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” They said, “None of us has much, but all of us have something we can offer.” So, they got their heads together and dreamed up a soccer tournament in Evan’s honor; with special permission from the municipal authorities, they reserved the local soccer arena for Sunday after church. Carlita invited some of her unbelieving friends from the University to form a team. Cuautli invited his city league team, and Filiberto invited his team. Jessica invited some guys from her high school. Of course the Tepic church team signed up; and even pastors Martín and Nacho rounded up some other 40-year-old “victims” from the Tepic church to join their team, the Red Fury :). Hugo and Sebastián, who are both engineers for the national water commission, could barely get out of bed for work on Monday morning, but they gladly participated with the “oldies” team! Altogether there were 8 teams competing for 1st and 2nd place trophies donated by the school where Consu teaches. Every player agreed to contribute $20 pesos (a little less than $2.00 US) for the privilege of playing on a team. Some of the girls made little bags full of iced water and Jamaica tea (a popular tropical drink) to sell for $3 pesos to the parched-throated players and spectators. Beautiful young Carlita was the moderator. She raffled the team playing order and dictated the rules. She announced that we are followers of Jesus, and this is for a “noble cause, so please keep that in mind during the games.” She added that at the close of the tournament in addition to awarding the trophies we would be giving each player and spectator a little tract that explains exactly what it means to be a follower of Jesus and why we care about Evan, a young man that none of these people has ever met. It was a perfect opportunity to share with Evan, and a perfect opportunity for Evan to share Jesus, which is the only purpose we can possibly imagine for this horrific trial in his life. See more pictures of Evan's tournament here.