Every football fan is following the Euro Cup 2012 this season. But did you know who won the Africa Cup of Nations this year? Neither did I until I started writing this photo-a-week entry. It was Zambia after beating Ivory Coast in a dramatic 8-7 shoot-out in February.
Football (or soccer for those in North America) is the most popular sport in Zambia. It is common for children to begin playing football at a very early age and continue well into adulthood. Despite its popularity, however, finding an actual football to play with is a rarity in this poverty-stricken country. Instead, children typically make their own balls by tying together discarded rags and plastic bags.
I still remember how happy and grateful the teachers were when we donated a simple football to their school. I could only imagine how much more excited the children were when they started playing with it. Perhaps for many of them, it was the first time in their lives touching a real football.
A missionary team will be setting off to Zambia later this month. Please pray that we can bring these children more than toys and games, but also true happiness from God's love and salvation.
- Joe