Turning Secular Conversations to Spiritual

Back in Feb., I wrote THIS article about the Chilean's love for soccer. During the last days of my trip to Chile in Jan. I picked up a special edition newspaper that detailed every Chilean soccer team, their players, their stadium, their schedule, and their chances for winning (or losing) in the 2007 season. In the centerfold of this newspaper was a chart (see photo) for every game of the "Torneo de Apertura" (Beginning Tournament).

About once a week I check THIS Chilean website to keep track of each team's games and progress. Everyone in Chile roots for at least one team. Like it or not, they are defined by which team they cheer for. Colo Colo fans are knon to be the craziest. They are similar to Oakland Raider fans here in the States (Black and white paint, foaming at the mouth). Rivalries have been formed and established and never to be broken.

Kristi grew up a couple blocks from the Colo Colo team's stadium in Santiago. Her loyalties are with Colo Colo. I on the other hand, in consideration to our possible ministry location in Antofagasta, I have been secretly forming loyalties to the Antofagasta Pumas team. Their mascot is a white puma. Most of the other teams have a local beer as their sponsor, but the Antofagasta team is sponsored by the huge Escondida copper mine and the local water company (see jersey). I'll take water over beer anyday.

Truth be known, the Pumas stink. Currently, they are tied for 13th out of 21 teams, but I don't care. Our desire is to turn secular conversations about soccer into friendships and open doors to talk about spiritual things.

That is the goooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!! (pun intended).