Guadalajara Update

We have not had any blog posts or updates about Guadalajara in 2015, but that does not mean that God has not been working.

Misselana (far left), Lane (left of Rachel), and Maykon (left of Caid) have been faithfully running the sports ministry an average of three mornings and three afternoons every week (3 hours each time). 

Guadalajara, an impoverished suburb of Paudalho, does not have many opportunities for sports--the public school is being remodeled, and they currently have no gym, only an open field. The Mayor has commended the Community church of Guadalajara for their contribution to the community. 

These three young adults see it as their ministry, and with a missionary mindset, they go about running this program with no financial assistance, and very little outside help. Caid and Rachel have been coming along side to encourage them, and to try to assist where possible. We are excited to dream about the future and see what God has for this community full of children ready to know more about Jesus through sports! 

Please pray for the community and children of Guadalajara, and for Lane, Misselana, and Maykon, and the leadership of the church. 

What a Year: 2014

We were sad to see the leadership leave in the middle of 2014, but he is doing a great job with his new ministry. We are also excited to see what God is doing through Lane, Misselana, and Maykon, who have continued the ministry.

Update and Partnership

A poor suberb of Paudalho (pop. 30,000), Guadalajara is located right off of the main road, and so is a more urban location. The community church of Guadalajara has a full gym (sanctuary), and in 2012, Glory sports ministry began there, reaching about 80 children weekly. But mid-2014, the leadership left to minister in another state, ending the program.

(Misselane and Maykon)

(Lane)

But three of the youth from the church (Lane, Misselana—sisters, and Maykon), between ages 16-20, have gone through training with Athletes in Action, and are running the sports ministry three times a week. We are excited to see them grow, and also see how the church leadership comes along and embraces this opportunity.
Since Living Stones is not currently running at Guadalajara, and we do not know when God will move to enable us to, we are calling Guadalajara our Living Stones Partnership, as we will continue supporting and updating the blog so that you can continue to pray.

Saturday Tournaments

Glory Sports does a wonderful job with not just meeting throughout the week for practices, but then having special tournaments for the kids to play, meet new friends, and hear the gospel. Here is from the tournament this month:

The young volunteers have done a wonderful job continuing the ministry in Guadalajara. If you would like to see the new ministry of Luizinho, go here. 

Basketball Clinic

Morning Star Friends Mission trip was able to work with Athletes in Action to provide a Basketball clinic in Guadalajara--the kids loved it!

Good bye Luizinho!

Luiz Andrade (Luizinho), who leads the program in Guadalajara, will be following his longtime dream to work in Piaui, Brazil. The pastor who led him to the Lord (Josue Oliveia) moved out to this ministry (Center of Training Leaders) a couple of years ago, training leaders and pastors on the weekend, and doing Bible clubs for kids during the week. Luizinho will join him, doing sports ministry.

We will all miss you Luizinho! Please pray for Luizinho during this time of change, as Piaui suffers from great poverty and heat (reaching 120F degrees). If you would like to financially bless Luizinho, here is the address to write:

 Word of Life IM

Ivan Correa - Recife, Brazil

P.O.Box 600 Schroon Lake, NY 12870

CHECK: RECIFE NATIONAL’S SUPPOT

Trip to Recife

Luizinho, who runs the program in Guadalajara, was able to take some of the boys to a professional basketball game--they had an amazing time, and will never forget it!

In Carpina, Leo, one of the boys from the community, came to Christ and was baptized:

We are excited to see what all God is doing through Glory Sports ministries!