This month has been mission’s emphasis month at our church. Let me preface that by saying, with an obvious bias of course, we do a good job of being mission minded all the time, individually and corporately. Our mission being of course to tell others how much Jesus loves them and disciple them by teaching them His Word.
Well each week we have had a different missionary share with us what God is doing in their lives and community.
February 7th was a neat day for me. Diego and Rose Sosa shared about what they are doing in Merida, Mexico. Merida is on the Yucatan peninsula in southernmost Mexico.
Diego and Rose are with Athletes in Action a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ. Diego is the chaplain and coach for a college football team in Merida. No, not a soccer team, an American football team in Mexico. He also coaches baseball teams and has college baseball teams come to Merida to put on clinics. Diego and Rose are expecting their first child and are so excited, as you might imagine.
Rose grew up in our church and was in youth group during my first years of youth ministry. Rose was one of the first youth to hold Katherine my daughter. Rose also has been on several missions trip with me to Lima, Peru. While on one of those trips Rose decided she was going to learn Spanish. So she went to a 6 week school for a couple summers to Merida after high school. There she met her eventual husband Diego, and the rest as the say is history, or as I like to call it His Story.
It really is neat to hear how God is working in both of their lives and how He has blessed them with a little one that is just a few months from being born.
Diego had some training in Ohio during the end of January. So while at the Athletes in Action headquarters he figured he would see if maybe they had any connections to some Super Bowl breakfast tickets. After a few conversations and trips to different offices Diego left Ohio with two tickets to the Super Bowl breakfast.
When he told me he paused before adding breakfast leading me to believe he had received two free tickets to the Super Bowl itself! But tickets to the Breakfast are quite a gift too. Each year Athletes in Action puts on a Super Bowl Breakfast.
The winner of the Bart Starr Award was announced during the 23rd Annual NFL-Sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast, hosted by Athletes in Action, on Saturday, February 6th, 2010. The three finalists for the 2010 Bart Starr Award, which honors one NFL player for outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community, included:
- Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals – Warner has spent 12 years with the NFL and in that time has participated in the First Things First Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Special Olympics, Neighborhood Ministries, Habitat for Humanity and more.
- Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints – Brees has had a hand in starting a few different foundations including the Brees Dream Foundation and Brees on the Seas. He has been with the NFL for 9 years and has contributed his time to the American Cancer Society, Pro Sports Team Challenge, Hurricane Katrina Recovery and more.
- Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts – Saturday has been with the NFL for 11 years and has made a difference in the community by helping the Susan G. Komen for the Cure cause, Sharon Bassett Foundation and serves on the board for Kids’ Voice among other efforts.
Kurt Warner was this year’s winner. Kurt has had an impressive NFL career with 3 Superbowls, 2 NFL MVP awards and 5 Pro Bowl appearances. But it was Kurt character off the field in the community and at home that won him this prestigious award.
The morning also featured Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, John Harbaugh, NFL Hall of Famers Anthony Muñoz and Bart Starr, and event emcee, Chris Mortensen, NFL insider for ESPN. Diego estimated that there were over 2,000 people at the breakfast. Super Bowl Champion Coach Tony Dungy spoke at the breakfast – sharing his personal experiences and triumphs as South Florida prepared for Super Bowl XLIV. He was also pleasantly surprised to hear and see Michael Vick. Vick shared how Tony Dungy visited him in prison and shared the Gospel message with him. Vick said he now has put his faith in Jesus Christ and wants to live for Him.
Although Drew Brees didn’t win the Bart Starr award he did best fellow nominee Jeff Saturday and the rest of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to win this year’s Super Bowl. Brees led the Saints to their first franchise Super Bowl victory in their first appearance, much like the Bucs did some 9 years ago.
I’m sure for a guy who grew up in Merida, being able to be in a room with NFL coaches and players for a morning was like winning the Super Bowl. I pray Diego will be able to use these experiences and friendships to further God’s kingdom.
If you would like to pray or support Rose and Diego and their little girl to be, please contact me at kdkelly32@embarqmail.com.
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