In The Bull Ring: March 20, 2016
When I took (fell into) the [unpaid] job as head [only] coach of the Toros (Spanish for "Bulls"), one of seven professional [rec league-esque] football clubs here in Guatemala, I had a few options in my head of how I might set my coaching personality:
a) Curly Lambeau (Green Bay Packers: 1921-1948) - through innovation and hype-building, I will put football on the map in Guatemala, taking it from a little-known myth to a spectator sport people can't get enough of
b) Herman Boone (TC Williams High School: 1971-sometime) - like in Remember The Titans, football will become a means for bringing about a revolution for justice and reconciliation in Guatemala City thanks to extreme measures and team bonding activities.
c) Tim Lont (Holland Christian: c. 2004) - It was the school's first year with a varsity program. You around at the guys on the field, you watch them try to put pads on and say, "Well, we're gonna try to win some games." But in the back of your mind you're like...lets just help these guys learn the game, have a good time, and grow in their faith so we can at least be successful at something.
I'm going with Option C for now. After a month here in Guatemala, a friend from church, who plays on said team invited me to come watch just to see, warning me it would be far below my American football standards. I was not misled. As I've shared with some of you, "stone hands" seems to be a genetic trait among Guatemalans as common as black hair. Equipment reminiscent of tryouts from "The Longest Yard," a oddly shaped, hardened dirt practice area wedged between two streets, and drill techniques I've only seen on the "how not to do this" section of drill videos welcomed me to Guatemalan football. At the end of the practice, one of the captains spoke up in the huddle and said, "Aarón, we'd like for you to be our Coach." Well, I was...flattered. Alaina and I talked about it, and, having few commitments outside of Spanish school at the time, we thought, "Well, it's not really what I came down here to do but hey, it's an in to a relationship with all the guys on the team, and that could lead to some neat discipleship...why not?" That "in" can be a pretty tough thing to come by in this Guatemalan culture of distrust.
It's March. For the last 2+ months, we've practiced Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. attendance has been a revolving door of about 30 players, where anywhere from 4-15 (usually 6-8) guys show up on a given day, and it's never the same guys. There's always a new guy or two who have never played football before, so most practices we've had to start back at square one, teaching the basics. Still not sure when our first game is or whether we'll play with 9 or 11 guys on the field.
So I'm left here thinking, "Where's the relationships?" "Where's the discipleship?" "How can I connect with these guys who can't manage their time well enough to make it to this practice?" "Why am I doing this?"
There is some good news. This Saturday, after practice, 8 of the Toros stayed after practice with me, ate some shucos* (see below), and engaged in some initial group conversations about life, work, family, God, and the like. Like most Guatemalans, they all seem to have some history with the church or with faith, but if they are like most Guatemalans, engaging deeper into real life and community and discipleship with others probably hasn't marked their life. The fact that guys stayed, showed interest, and were willing to talk really made my day. It reminded me of God's faithfulness. It reminded me of the night during my first semester of college when the wrestlers first showed up at the BOC dorms Bible study.
If you think about it, say a prayer for the Toros football guys. Lord knows they need help on the football field, but it's our hope that God opens the team, their hearts, lives, families, and work to His kingdom.
"I pray that the eyes of your hear may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance."
Ephesians 1:18
In other news, we had a night of house worship at our place this week, which is a strange concept for Guatemalans, given the lack of structure, lack of "pastor in charge-ness", sharing things in community and stuff. It was a great night with 20-ish friends, a little awkward at times but a good step of growth for this community.
In other news, most of Guatemala (including our school) shuts down for Semana Santa (Holy Week). So we'll hopefully have a restful week with some homework, good fellowship, and time together sprinkled in there. Look forward to some dandy pictures from that!
Thanks for being the wind at our backs. We love and miss you!
-AJ & Alaina
thewestys.weebly.com
p.s. things we're into lately:
Album: Simple Gospel - United Pursuit (esp. "Since Your Love")
Activity: Bicycling (AJ finally found his late Christmas present!)
Food: Fried Plantains! Shamrock Shakes! Cinnamon Raisin Toast!
a) Curly Lambeau (Green Bay Packers: 1921-1948) - through innovation and hype-building, I will put football on the map in Guatemala, taking it from a little-known myth to a spectator sport people can't get enough of
b) Herman Boone (TC Williams High School: 1971-sometime) - like in Remember The Titans, football will become a means for bringing about a revolution for justice and reconciliation in Guatemala City thanks to extreme measures and team bonding activities.
c) Tim Lont (Holland Christian: c. 2004) - It was the school's first year with a varsity program. You around at the guys on the field, you watch them try to put pads on and say, "Well, we're gonna try to win some games." But in the back of your mind you're like...lets just help these guys learn the game, have a good time, and grow in their faith so we can at least be successful at something.
I'm going with Option C for now. After a month here in Guatemala, a friend from church, who plays on said team invited me to come watch just to see, warning me it would be far below my American football standards. I was not misled. As I've shared with some of you, "stone hands" seems to be a genetic trait among Guatemalans as common as black hair. Equipment reminiscent of tryouts from "The Longest Yard," a oddly shaped, hardened dirt practice area wedged between two streets, and drill techniques I've only seen on the "how not to do this" section of drill videos welcomed me to Guatemalan football. At the end of the practice, one of the captains spoke up in the huddle and said, "Aarón, we'd like for you to be our Coach." Well, I was...flattered. Alaina and I talked about it, and, having few commitments outside of Spanish school at the time, we thought, "Well, it's not really what I came down here to do but hey, it's an in to a relationship with all the guys on the team, and that could lead to some neat discipleship...why not?" That "in" can be a pretty tough thing to come by in this Guatemalan culture of distrust.
It's March. For the last 2+ months, we've practiced Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. attendance has been a revolving door of about 30 players, where anywhere from 4-15 (usually 6-8) guys show up on a given day, and it's never the same guys. There's always a new guy or two who have never played football before, so most practices we've had to start back at square one, teaching the basics. Still not sure when our first game is or whether we'll play with 9 or 11 guys on the field.
So I'm left here thinking, "Where's the relationships?" "Where's the discipleship?" "How can I connect with these guys who can't manage their time well enough to make it to this practice?" "Why am I doing this?"
There is some good news. This Saturday, after practice, 8 of the Toros stayed after practice with me, ate some shucos* (see below), and engaged in some initial group conversations about life, work, family, God, and the like. Like most Guatemalans, they all seem to have some history with the church or with faith, but if they are like most Guatemalans, engaging deeper into real life and community and discipleship with others probably hasn't marked their life. The fact that guys stayed, showed interest, and were willing to talk really made my day. It reminded me of God's faithfulness. It reminded me of the night during my first semester of college when the wrestlers first showed up at the BOC dorms Bible study.
If you think about it, say a prayer for the Toros football guys. Lord knows they need help on the football field, but it's our hope that God opens the team, their hearts, lives, families, and work to His kingdom.
"I pray that the eyes of your hear may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance."
Ephesians 1:18
In other news, we had a night of house worship at our place this week, which is a strange concept for Guatemalans, given the lack of structure, lack of "pastor in charge-ness", sharing things in community and stuff. It was a great night with 20-ish friends, a little awkward at times but a good step of growth for this community.
In other news, most of Guatemala (including our school) shuts down for Semana Santa (Holy Week). So we'll hopefully have a restful week with some homework, good fellowship, and time together sprinkled in there. Look forward to some dandy pictures from that!
Thanks for being the wind at our backs. We love and miss you!
-AJ & Alaina
thewestys.weebly.com
p.s. things we're into lately:
Album: Simple Gospel - United Pursuit (esp. "Since Your Love")
Activity: Bicycling (AJ finally found his late Christmas present!)
Food: Fried Plantains! Shamrock Shakes! Cinnamon Raisin Toast!