Every time I go on the mission field it proves to be a new adventure and the last trip was no exception.
We started out in the planning stage of the trip with 9 enthusiastic guys ready to go down to Bolivia and play basketball while spreading the word of God. Two days before we left we were down to five guys and had yet to receive two passports. I was concerned that we didn’t have enough guys to make a basketball team, and without two crucial passports we hardly had a team at all. Needless to say… God provided.
The last passport came in the mail 3 hours before we left the airport. When we arrived in Bolivia our second problem was solved when we met a Bolivian basketball player who spoke perfect English (very rare) and wanted to play on our team. He also brought his 6’5″ (also very rare) Bolivian friend to make our team complete. We had a great time playing and ministering to the people and were able to win the championship in the tournament we competed in. We also formed great relationships with the teams and the Bolivian Basketball Association who invited us to compete in the tournament next year.
I have finally figured out that God does not call me to worry or to force “my ways,” but rather to fully rely on Him. He knows exactly what I need and when I need it. After all it was His trip and I was just along for the ride.
Shawn
Basketball in Bolivia Trip~June 09
