Goals for Life - A Grace Missions Story

Kate Allen, a Jr. High student here at Grace, has been to Tecate, Mexico several times as part of the outreach mission trips. During her first trip, she noticed a large dirt area with a few sticks on either end being used as a soccer field and goal posts. To her it was more than just an empty field - it was a need. She decided the kids should have large, permanent soccer goal posts to play games with. Through several fund-raising efforts at our church, Kate was able to raise $2,600 for her project.

She ordered two goal-posts off the internet but then was unable to find anyone who could ship the goals to Mexico. So she decided the goals should be driven down to Tecate with the team from Grace that was traveling to serve in February. It’s no easy task to cross the border with brand new merchandise from the USA. In order to ensure they could get the new posts over the border the team decided to take the posts out of the boxes, scuff them up with mud and secure them to the top of one of the trucks. It worked!

They drove successfully across the border. Within four hours of arriving in Tecate, the goals were assembled and posted into the ground. Then the games began! The entire community rallied around the field for two days. Playing, cheering, socializing and connecting. One significant aspect was the men of the community (who normally stay away) came out of their houses to play soccer and participate with the ministry. The soccer goals instantly created a community center on a dirt field, all thanks to a Jr. High girl who followed a calling by the Lord in her heart.

This weekend, June 5th & 6th, another outreach team from Grace is heading down to the same neighborhood in Tecate. They will be building a latrine for the same family that they built a house for in February, as well as painting homes in the neighborhood, hosting a BBQ, doing crafts with the kids and playing soccer with the community. Please pray for the team this weekend!

We are always looking for volunteers to join us in Tecate. Our next trip is scheduled for this fall. If you would like more information about how to serve, please email Ruth at rvh@gracefellowshipchurch.org.