I have accepted an opportunity to work with the Under-17 South African National Women’s Soccer Program. My duties will include many different things, including mentorship, Bible studies, and one-on-one discipleship, in addition to organizing such outreach as soccer camps and service events that will enable the National Team women to assist the townships surrounding Pretoria.
Women’s soccer in South Africa tends to be dictated by a few major cultural influences. Soccer in this country is widely considered to be a male sport, played by the black population, although this stereotype is slowly changing. Due to this dynamic, the women playing soccer are mostly from the townships, and have had to work very hard with often little or no support from their families to help them make it to the National level. While I am in South Africa, the majority of my time will be spent working with the U-17 National Womens’ team players. With the growing success of the National Soccer program, these women will be exposed to increased pressures they have not experienced before, and these pressures can lead them towards alcoholism, drugs, and lesbianism. My goal while spending time with these women will be to help equip them to face these new pressures, and to influence them to emerge as leaders that will have a positive impact on South Africa.
Through the 11 months I will be working with the Team, I plan to hold a weekly group Bible study with the girls, as well as provide mentoring and discipleship. There will, no doubt, be opportunity for me to use what I have learned while studying toward my Bachelor of Kinesiology degree to provide education on hygiene, nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation, along with sport psychology, identity and self-worth. I will also be sharing with the girls what is involved in service outreach, by taking them with me to help run sports camps (partnered with local churches), and bringing them to serve at some surrounding orphanages.
God willing, at the end of this 11 month program, with the help of the South African Staff, I hope to have accomplished four main goals:
1/ to have built a heightened relationship between the South African National Soccer Program and Athletes in Action. This is hoped to open doors for the instalment of full time chaplaincy on the National teams, starting with the U-17 womens’ team.
2/ I desire to fulfill the Great Commission by building up disciples who are fully equipped to make further disciples.
3/ I want to help build active and operational sport ministry programs in local churches that are equipped to both continue the programs after I leave, as well as prepare other churches to do the same.
4/ As I will be the first AIA staff member to be working full time in Pretoria, I hope to help establish a South African AIA staff member provided by the Lord whom I can mentor to continue the work once I’ve completed my time there.
My prayer is that God will fill you with a passion for this ministry to His daughters in South Africa. This past summer, I saw God’s hand working and many lives changed through our time there. Together we can have a lasting impact, and leave a long term structured program in South Africa. If you haven't already please watch the video on the right.
There are three major ways you can partner with me:
1. Prayer. My current prayer needs are for provision and safety as I prepare to make this move, that God would be preparing the hearts of the girls I will be working with that they will be open to His words and also for someone to continue the work when I leave. The harvest is plentiful. Other requests are posted on my blog as well.
2. Financial Support I need to raise $40,000 to cover my costs while there. I would ask you to please prayerfully consider partnering with me on a monthly basis. You can donate online at http://secure.powertochange.org/p-534-bauer-rachel-ministry.aspx. (Please let me know if you would like more information on other ways to donate)
3. Networking and Sharing the vision for this trip with others whom you think may have a passion for sport, ministry or reaching South Africa. Please do not underestimate the impact that sharing this with even one or two others could have.
No comments:
Post a Comment