Athletes in Action News and Commentary

Long needed update from Cali, Colombia!

AIA has finished up their Colombia trip 8-0, missing one game due to rain. We are sorry for not updating more regularly, but we have not had a chance to regularly update our blog due to a lack of internet access. Everyone is doing great, is healthy, and excited to finish up our trip of Colombia over the next day and a half. The experiences of sharing Christ with the people of Cali, Cartago and Bolivar has been a joy. We originally wanted to serve them, but have found that their hearts are open to serving us as well. We continue to have team times and grow closer to one another, and with Christ. For everyones concerns, we are all doing well, and are enjoying our last days here! Continue to pray for us and opportunities to share Christ with others.

 

AIA goes 4-0 in Cartagena, travels to Cali

AIA improved to 4-0 in Cartagena last night, winning 97-81 against a combined squad of players from Cartagena. It was a combination of players from each of the previous three teams AIA has played. AIA was down early, but battled back in the second quarter to take the lead, with both teams exchanging the lead for the third quarter, before AIA pulled away in the final quarter.

After the game there was a great time of sharing and fellowship with the people of Cenfol Church. For a shoot around, God had other plans for us, as we went to play and practice at a local school, with the students getting in on the action, and one of our players was able to share his testimony.

We are so thankful for the prayers of everyone, and we have had a great time seeing God´s will being played out here in Cartagena. We leave for Cali this afternoon, and will settle in there, before playing on Wednesday.

Please continue to pray for our trip, as well as Cenfol Church here. We are so thankful for their servant hearts, and have been encouraged at what the Lord is doing in their lives in Cartagena!

Adios!

Last game in Cartagena tonight

AIA has their last game tonight in Cartagena. We will be playing a combination of the best players of the three teams we have already played. It should be quite a game! Today for a shoot around, God had a different plan, and we ended up having a shoot around in a gym at a local school, where there were hundreds of kids wathing. AIA players played with the kids and were able to entertain the crowd with a scrimmage. We have been blessed with the help from the local church here, and will be enjoying our last night here in Cartagena! Look for an update later tonight or tomorrow morning!

AIA in Colombia improves to 3-0 in close game

AIA in Colombia improved to 3-0 in Cartagena, winning a close faught game 85-84. The game was a morning game, only hours after winning its second game. AIA trailed for most of the game, but faught back after halftime to keep the game close, and building a small lead. Our opponents managed to tie the game on a deep three point shot with under a minute left, but the back end of a set of foul shots after an intentional foul put AIA up by a point. The game ended with a defensive stop by AIA, which secured the win. Another player shared his testimony, and AIA was able to share with the other players about the mission of AIA and what Christ is doing in our lives.

We then spent the afternoon outside swimming in the ocean and a pool at the apartment of one of the members of the local church that is supporting us. After a relaxing afternoon, we joined the local church for a praise and worship service and shared with the members there what AIA is all about, and what Christ is doing in our lives. It was a night of fellowship and fun, with AIA being able to join in on the local dancing, food and culture.

Today we will be worshipping at the local church here, then will be taking a tour of the city of Cartagena. We do not play again until Monday night, which will be our last game in Cartagena. Thanks for all of the prayers and supports, and continue to stay updated with us through our blog!

Adios!

AIA wins again in Cartagena, 105-61! Photos as well!

AIA won it´s second game in Colombia, 105-61. Another player from our team was able to share his testimony, with parts of it in Spanish. The audience was very receptive of this, including a verse that was read aloud in Spanish. We were also able to go swimming in the Carribean Sea this afternoon, and had a great team time studying the acceptance of God, and how he desires to have a relationship with us through our fellowship with Him.

Saturday AIA will be playing at 10 A.M. in Cartagena, and will then enjoy a day near the ocean, and visiting the local church that is suporting the AIA ministry.

Here are some pictures on Flickr!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39169350@N04/

And an article in the local paper! (Only for those who can read Spanish!)

http://www.eluniversal.com.co/v2/deporte-y-religion