After a couple long days of traveling by bus and train, we finally arrived in Kenya. Just the week before, we had wrapped up an impactful SLAM week in Bombo, Uganda. Along the way, we were joined by a few of the NFC Kenya players, both in Uganda and now in Kenya. At our first stop in Kenya, we were excited to learn that we had been invited to an exhibition match in Nairobi.
What came next was even more surprising, some of us were asked to play and dress out with the team! Then the agents pulled out black trash bags filled with jerseys, each one having our names on the back. Later that day, we met up with the rest of the team to warm up and prepare for the game.
During warm-ups, I noticed Rooney, #17, and realized his cleats were worn out. I offered him my cleats for the game, and his gratitude really moved me. He thanked me and promised to give his best performance, even telling me that he was going to try and score a goal for me.
As the game went on, I sat next to another player, Brian, #7. We started chatting about his experience with NFC and the hard work he puts in. I told him about my role as a coach for NFC back home in Nashville, and we both dreamed of one day coaching a team together.
After the game, I was able to gift Rooney, #17, my cleats. After, we all shared a meal together and even watched the new Superman movie , bonding over the experience. It was truly a special day, and Iām grateful to God for crossing paths with these two incredible guys. I told them I hope we can continue our relationship and keep seeking God in everything He has called us to do.