Day 9: Championship Game: Street Boys -vs- Samro

Day 9: Change the Future Tournament: Championship Game

From the moment we awoke until our beds called us in the evening, our day was packed.  We prepared a Palm Sunday/Easter lesson for the Sunday School children and enjoyed every second of it.    It was incredible to sit in the church service (although the American Choir did participate, ha!); we remember the doors opening 14 years ago. 

After lunch, we walked the short distance to A-STEP’s soccer field where hundreds of those in the community and on the teams gathered.  There was a large white tent with chairs where the adults sat, and wood goalposts showed where the teams would play.  Sheep ate on the field.  Boys were busy with excitement.  Boisterous music from the speakers filled the air.  Five-year-old children from a local school repeated poems about education.  The third place consolation game began first with Mama Kigen and me kicking the ball to start the game.  Everyone screamed as a goal was scored and then another. 

Then, the game everyone was waiting for: the championship.  Samro School –vs- The Street Boys.  An official from Uasin Gishu District presented each boy with a new jersey.  Burgundy for the street   Black with yellow for Samro.  Faces were beaming with delight as they proudly put on their jerseys.  The whistle blew.  From one end to the other, it was a tight, evenly-matched game.  Most players from both teams competed without shoes and darted all around the field.  Kenyan runners are known worldwide, and most of those Olympic runners come from this area and the Kalenjin tribe.  It was easy to see why as they are fast!  Everyone would scream as a goal was imminent on both ends of the field, only to be saved every time.  The final whistle blew.  Penalty kicks.  Best out of three.
boys.

First try for Street Boys.  Save.

First try for Samro.  Goal.

Second try for Street Boys.  Save.

Second try for Samro.  Save.

Third try for Street Boys. Goal.  And the ensuing cheer from their sidelines would have made you  

think they won.

Third try for Samro.  Goal.

Samro wins.  A victorious moment for Samro and every bit deserved. 

But part of me wanted Street Boys to win.  Just once in their life.  Not meant to be today. 

Sad faces gathered on the sideline.  Many sat in the grass.  Exhausted.  Hungry.  Bummed. 

I walked over to their Mom, and told her they should be so proud.  She then called all of the boys over.   The group encircled me as I held Gracie.  She smiled at them.  They smiled back and wanted to shake her hand.  I told them in a Swahili-English mix to hold their heads up.  To see all they’ve accomplished.  I felt words failed.  I wanted to take them all home with me.  I wanted to give them a place to rest their heads tonight.  I wanted to dump my children’s clothes in their hands.  I wanted to feed their bellies.  I wanted to fix.  But at this moment they wanted to know they were okay.  They hadn’t won.  Again.  But they hadn’t been forgotten.  They were okay.  

The teams gathered behind the goal for words of encouragement from Cameron as he shared from I Timothy 4:12.  He had prepared his speech for days, practicing and rehearsing it over and over.  Cameron shared his own journey in his faith and in the common sport: from field player to goalkeeper as no one else volunteered, and what he learned about stepping out and having courage in the Lord.  I Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, and in purity.”  This verse is written on the backs of the shirts each player of the 20 participating teams received.  One by one the boys from all of the teams received medals around their necks to remind them of the tournament, and they can Be the Change as the tournament name stated.

The Street Boys raised their second place trophy high into the sky!  I’m sure their mom will keep this safe and show them regularly, and hopefully when they see it they are reminded they are special, valued, and loved. 

As we leave, more questions swirl in our hearts and heads as we take with us what we’ve seen, heard, and experienced and process all that it means. 

And then one of the most humbling moments: during our goodbye, Tim, the founder of A-STEP, had a presentation for Cameron.  The boys wanted to say thank you.  But they don't have anything.  They don't own anything.  Except one thing.  Tim handed their VERY OWN soccer ball made out of string and plastic bags.  They gave their only possession.  Humbling.  Beautiful.  Treasure.
Tears flowed down my 12-year-old's face...and mine.
And I can’t stop thinking about those beautiful street boys.