Soccer makes the world go round...

We've had a harder time with the internet here in Kampala than in Nairobi plus we've run short on our days. I think they are shorter in Uganda.  Westmont Coach Kristi Kiely made a post late last night over the last couple of days and another one a few minutes ago.  I have included both accounts below.  Sorry for the delay.  Inaccessibility happens.  Thanks for reading!


Tuesday, May 14

Kibuli slum after the clinic.

Today was our last work day in Kampala before heading up to Gulu tomorrow morning. We opened with morning devotions with the SOI staff. Angela Brown spoke on John 10:10, Missy Robertson spoke on our identity in Christ and Dan Ribbens spoke on the very nature of God being good. As excited as we are to head up to Gulu we will miss the staff in Kampala as they have encouraged us in Christ, in our playing ability and in the way we love others.

We left the office headed to the field for another training session with the good news team. We tried to show them more of what we do, which included Roxanne Love taking the entire group of 40 people through some weight training (planks, squats and burpees)- see below.

Some of the girls running a clinic.

After lunch (always pineapple and Chapati-it’s like nothing other) the girls split up again into 4 groups to work in the slums. The purpose of today’s work was to see the feeding program and to run clinics with the children. The feeding program is a big part of what SOI does here: they provide 1 meal a day to the kids they’ve identified as the ones in most need. Here is a brief overview of each of the slums:

Bwaise: 3 players, 4 balls and 70 kids. It was interesting to say the least.

Kibuli: they got to see the feeding program in full and despite being low on energy pulled it together for a great clinic.

Katwe: For those of you who are familiar with Phiona and the chess program (Queen of Katwe) this is the slum she grew up in. Alison Hensley took some lessons from Phiona’s brother as he shared with us about how chess has taught him how to problem solve.

Nateete: Denae Crump out-ran a bull that was chasing her but they were able to make the clinic work anyway, bulls on the field and all. Most satisfying was the moment they got to the field and one of the SOI staff members had 40 kids lined up in a plank, a movement he had only learned that morning.

Training session with the Good News team.

It was another wonderful day and we will miss our time in Kampala…but we are very excited to be heading up to Gulu in the morning and more importantly for a rest day. The girls hit a bit of a wall today but as the great teacher, Rodney Suddith says, we will do our best to end on empty.

As you continue to join us in prayer we do have some specific ways you can be praying:

-Energy!!! The girls have been going hard for 7 days. They have 8 more to go but they need to refuel and we hope tomorrow’s long drive to Gulu will provide some of the rest they need.
-The staff in Gulu as they prepare for us.
-The hearts of us on the trip as we head up to Gulu: both a beautiful and very hard place.

We hope you are all well at home.

Signing off…

Kristi Kiely

*love you mom.