The Difference “I’m Proud of You” Can Make
A couple months ago, we held a soccer camp for orphaned and vulnerable children from two children’s homes. The children who attended learned valuable life lessons, like how to work together as a team and how to build one another up.
They have so much fun and can’t wait for the next camp. Thankfully, we are holding another camp very soon. We can’t wait to see what God will do!
Thank you for supporting orphaned and vulnerable children and young adults in South Korea.
—South Korea Team
Minho* was the oldest boy on his soccer team and the best player there.
As the younger, less-experienced boys called for the ball, Minho was generous to pass it. His team was losing, yet he continued to give the other boys a chance.
Our team in South Korea holds soccer camps for children’s homes every year. John-Michael, a ministry leader, was the referee. As he watched the game closely, he was proud of Minho but also knew Minho was prone to anger and was approaching his breaking point.
Just before John-Michael whistled to end the game, a defender on the other team stole the ball and Minho’s shoe fell off in the process. Minho picked up his shoe and slammed it on the ground.
John-Michael went over and spoke with him.
He could sense Minho was expecting to be reprimanded, but he felt a nudge in his heart to be gentle with him.
John-Michael said—
“I’m proud of how you passed the ball and gave your teammates chances. You did really well.”
Minho was surprised by what he heard. Silence, head down, tears started forming.
Minho apologized to the other team when he was ready. When he rejoined his own team, they were sharing compliments with one another, and despite his frustrations, Minho joined in, complimenting his younger teammates.
John-Michael shares—
“Rarely do orphaned and vulnerable children in children’s homes experience empathy from adults. Rarely do they receive positive attention and personal love.”
But that kind of unconditional love changes everything.
It gives children something positive to live into. It reminds them that despite being repeatedly told the opposite, there is good inside of them.
Top: Soccer camps in South Korea help young boys learn and practice teamwork.
At the end of the soccer camp, Minho shared with John-Michael—
“I wish we had more time together, Teacher JM.”
Another soccer camp will happen soon. And God continues to show his love for children like Minho through lessons learned on the field.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the children we serve.
Pray for South Korea
- Praise God for the reunion of 120 people, including graduates, former mentors, and their families. Pray that good fruit would continue to come from this reunion.
- Praise God that the students finished the spring semester well.
- Pray for students to find a good community and make friends at college. Many are afraid to make friends because they are afraid of sharing that they grew up in an orphanage.
- Pray that students would feel safe to open up more with their mentors so they can receive help and encouragement.
- Pray for the next soccer camp. Pray that the 39 boys in attendance would experience God’s unconditional love.
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Will you help orphaned and vulnerable children in South Korea experience the hope of the Gospel?
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