“When Passion Finds a Purpose” (Malawi Sports Pre-Video Update)
Our trip to
Malawi this summer fits the description of an adventure with a purpose more that it does your typical “missions trip.” Although we have a video coming up that will give you more details of what we did, I decided to write and give you a brief synopsis of how God took this adventure and used it to great proportions.
Since to me English is a borrowed language, I realize I am not going to be your most amazing writer but I hope that even through my writing limitations you can still catch glimpses of what God did in and through us- or even better, what God can do in the life of “somebody” that realizes that he or she is a “nobody” but is willing to be used by Him.
Portrait One
Our journey started with 14 people. All athletes. We, together, realized the call of God on our lives and decided to take on the challenge to go to Africa and let God take us places. We planned to run sports clinics (basketball and soccer) and run a tournament at the African Bible College while we were at it.
Portrait Two
14 people quickly became 4 when some of life’s toughest realities set in. At that point, the only thing that seemed logical was to cancel the trip. There was no way our plans would work with only 4 people.
And then something drastic happened…my father got sick in Africa and lost sense in almost every part of his body- he had stroke. That was supposed to push us over the age. It was the final blow in our anticipated adventure, a true moment of test for me, both as leader and a son.
Portrait Three
I picked up the phone to let the rest of the team members know that we were going to cancel the trip. But just after I dialed the first number, in that exact moment, something came to my mind. I realize that this could just be part of the warfare we had to fight through in order to win the spiritual heart of our mission. So instead of talking about canceling the trip, I asked everyone what would have to happen to order for them to not go on the trip and everyone agreed that “a heck of a lot.”
That moment changed everything because it was then when we decided that even when the doors and windows seemed to close on us, we would just have to crash through the wall to make the trip happen…Yes, this does sound illogical- that was the point.
Portrait Four
Then God added to our numbers as two new people stepped up and took on the challenge of raising all their support in just about 11 days.
They did and God also brought us another confirmation from the most unlikely source as Soccer Fanatic donated $3,000 worth of supplies.
Now we had our team of six: Me (Noel Musicha), Melissa Musicha, Allison Sampite, Kelsey Minard, Ron Nord and Matt Forrey. This was not your all star sports team but it is your all star God’s team. It was a team of a bunch of servants who would give their last penny and their last ounce of energy to make significant changes in the lives of people they would otherwise may never met.
Portraits Five, Six, Seven and Eight
We got on a plane, landed in Malawi and run six clinics and a tournament at the end that brought in kids from different parts of the Malawian capital, Lilongwe.
The clinics were capped by this message: “You can be an amazing athlete if you work hard at it and that is important, but if athleticism is all you focus your life on, you risk missing everything.
…TRUTH IS, THERE IS GRACE WAITING AT THE ALTAR OF THE LIVING GOD THROUGH THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AND IF YOU ARE WILLING HE WILL CHANGE YOU…BUT YOU HAVE TO WANT TO BE CHANGED….I DON’T KNOW YOU SO I DON’T KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO BE CHANGED BUT IF YOU DO…”
…And as we shared that message, through out the clinics, God flexed and a total of 125 teens gave their lives to Christ. Not only that but with a better understanding of grace, they decided they will join hands and get involved in community service projects to make their communities better and to become part of creative solutions to the problems their communities face.
The clinics were strategically set up in communities that are close to each other, communities that are considered to be the cornerstones of the Lilongwe city, because that is key in the follow up strategy.
…and leaving you in the air is key to keeping you wanting more.
Portrait Nine
If you are an athlete or you know one, this portrait involves you.
1. Be on the lookout for our upcoming video that will share this story in great detail
2. Go to http://malawisports.blogspot.com hear about our next steps and ask us questions.
Portrait Ten
Now that you know what you know, what are you going to do?