Last month, our Men's and Women's Soccer Coach Joe Lopez and his wife Danielle had the opportunity to travel to Honduras for a missions trip. The trip was primarily through a veterinarian organization but there was an opportunity for Coach Lopez to come along to reach other people in the village through soccer. 

He was able to do individual skills training sessions as well as run games for around 60 kids over the week. They played wherever they could find the space - a concrete court, in the middle of the street or in the dirt fields. They used whatever they could find laying around to make goals. Thankfully, they always had a soccer ball, as Coach Joe brought several with him along with some soccer balls that were donated to the mission.

At first, his work was strictly soccer but by the end of the first day Coach Lopez realized he was going to be doing much more! He was able to do a gospel presentation each day for the people that brought their animals to the veterinarian group as well as to those who came to participate in the soccer camp. 

"I was asked to give a presentation of the Gospel and that same day, the pastor of a local church invited us to do home visits in the villages. During these visits we would sing and I was able to give a devotional (through our awesome translators!). It was so incredible to see God begin to work in the people in the village." said Coach Lopez. 

"The best part of the trip was for my wife and I to work side by side doing the two things that we love, soccer and veterinary work, to advance the Gospel. Soccer really is the world’s game and it was such a great experience to use that as a tool to do Kingdom work in Honduras! 

What a great example of our #KingChasing mission, using sport to spread the gospel!