(Open with scenic images)

This field is has a greater purpose than just soccer. Through this game, children and teenagers are being mentored to live better lives.

Kyrgyzstan is located in the heart of Central Asia. Once part of the former Soviet Union, it is now a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, where Christianity is the minority.

Many Kyrgyz own animals as a source of income. Shepherds tend to flocks of sheep, cows, goats, or horses. They have continued the tradition of living a nomadic lifestyle. The mountainous landscape causes them to move seasonally to find vegetation for their animals. During the spring months, they begin their trek into the mountains until the colder weather returns later in the year.

Despite the natural beauty of this country, there are some challenges to living in the city. In some neighborhoods, drugs and alcohol are easily available to children and teenagers, and some of them experiment with these substances. When they have a lot of free time, it’s easy for them to develop bad habits.

By being part of a soccer team, children and teenagers are able to avoid the negative influences that they might encounter elsewhere. For most, soccer is the only other activity available to them. It gives them a chance be part of a positive team who care about each other.

Soccer practices take place on a small field on the campus of Heritage Christian School, where some of the players attend. At this Adventist school, more than 300 children receive a high quality education. The teachers work hard to be good examples for their students to observe and to potentially become positive influences in their own homes.

The same lessons are applied to the soccer field. This is a space where they learn teamwork, healthy living, and respect. This program is open to any youth willing to be part of a positive team environment. As a result some of these players lives have been transformed. It has become an escape from the negativity they often find in other parts of their lives.

The program is led by a small group of international volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of these youth. They feel called by God to impact the community around them. Their goal is to positively influence the lives of the youth socially, morally, and physically. Through their work, they have seen improvement in countless lives.

A major challenge they face is weather. The conditions are hard to predict and the winter season makes it difficult to practice. Even in the worst conditions, the youth are willing to meet. Sometimes, it means shoveling piles of snow from the entire field.

The group prays for the day they can play on an indoor field. A goal of this school is to build an indoor sports complex to host the soccer program and expand the number of activities they offer. It would allow them to host a variety of meetings and events for the community.

Please pray that these plans will soon become a reality. Thank you for supporting projects like these through the mission offerings!