Torneo Internacional de Futbol

Although there are many traditions within the NPHG home, there aren’t so many traditions between the NPH homes from different countries. One tradition that we do have is an annual soccer tournament, and the Guatemala home was lucky enough to host it this year! The homes from Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and of course Guatemala each sent a boys’ and girls’ team to the tournament. In the weeks leading up to the tournament, everyone in the house was anxious with anticipation trying to prepare for all the visitors we were about to have. We were busy, but we got the job done. The house looked great- fresh paint and trimmed bushes all over the place!

The week of the tournament was a blur of activity, fun, and newness. A lot of my “work” that week consisted of sitting under the first aid tent handing out water, ice packs, and band aids while watching the games. During the games, our kids ran around with big drums and shouted chants to cheer on the Guatemala teams which kept me laughing while I rolled my eyes at how overly dramatic some of the boy players were!

Men at play.

Si se puede, vamos equipo!

The scoreboard- I loved how simple it was.

There were lots of fun activities in the evenings with the extended NPH family too. We had a cultural exchange night with dances typical of each country, lots of piñatas, and a “posada”, which is an event that recreates the nativity story.

swing batta' batta' swing

the mad scramble after the piñata finally breaks

La Posada- it was beautiful at night.

Perhaps the highlight of the week for me was when the Guatemala girls’ team won the championship, WOOOOOHOOOO! It was an exciting moment for the whole home, and I believe it was the first time they had won the tournament.

so much tension. Don't let them score, Maria!

YESSSSSSSSS! VICTORY!

Everything I just described almost didn't happen because NPHI didn't have enough funding for the tournament this year. Cuuuuue the Rossi family! The Rossi family lost their son Ryan Rossi to cancer in 2011. Ryan was a soccer player in college and very passionate about helping children in need around the world. After Ryan passed, his parents decided to carry on his legacy by continuing to support his passion for helping children. By pure coincidence and the grace of God, the Rossi family accidentally stumbled across the NPH Nicaragua home (while already there for another charity project) and asked about a picture of the tournament from the previous year that was on the wall. The crew at NPH Nicaragua explained what NPH and the tournament are and how unfortunately the tournament wasn't going to happen this year. Given the background of their son, Ryan, the Rossis decided to change that! The generosity of this family was incredible and it was a joy to watch them experience the tournament and everything that NPH is while they were here that week to see their donation carried out. Now, the Rossi family has already vouched to help sponsor the next year's tournament in Mexico and are helping NPH make some big connections back home in the States. It's very exciting and, for me, an awesome example of God at work in the world.

Overall, I really enjoyed the tournament week. I loved seeing the different countries and meeting lots of new people including important executives from NPHI and leaders from different NPH homes. I took two things away from the tournament. Firstly, it was the sense of "la gran familia" that NPH really is. It was the first time I really felt or saw it, but yes, it's true! Even though our homes are scattered across countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, we're all united by a common mission, striving for the same goal, and connected by this idea of unconditional love. Secondly, it was Ryan Rossi's phrase of "just love it", which is what Ryan said while he was in the stages of his terminal illness. No matter what life gives you- even if it's cancer- just love it. That's all you can do. Great life lesson. If you want to learn a little more, check out this page dedicated to Ryan and his concept of "just love it": http://justloveit.me/Justloveit/Home.html.

The tournament is a wonderful event for NPH and I am so glad the Rossi family is helping us keep it going. The tournament continues in December 2014 at NPH Mexico- buena suerte, Guatemala!