 | Kneeling- Rigo Lopez and Kelly Elliott
Standing 1st Row- Dave Deal, Andi Kinsiger, Clay Elliott, Clevand Thomas
Standing Back Row- Patrick Afif, John Dutton, Matt Kinsiger, James Roe
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FCA/AFL Mexican Arena Football Trip
From December 7-10, Bay Area FCA traveled to Merida, Mexico with a team of ten to minister through football to the one year Mexican Arena Football League. It was American Football at it's purest form (heart and passion). Arena Football League Players (James Roe, Clevan Thomas, Patrick Afif, Matt Kinsinger and John Dutton), one wife (Andi Kinsinger), Athletes In Action staff (Dave Deal also the Chaplain for the AFL's Arizona Rattlers) and FCA Bay Area staff (Clay & Kelly Elliott, and Rigo Lopez) made the trip down to Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Our goals for the Mexican Arena Football Clinic were:
1) To teach the Mexican AFL players the basics of the Arena League game.
2) To teach the Mexican players the basics on the game of life (in relationship with Jesus Christ)
3) To have some FUN doing it!
Hands down our entire team felt as though we accomplished these goals. By the end of the clinic, participants had learned the nuances of the arena game, gained some valuable practical skills, heard inspiring faith stories from our team and everyone involved seemed to have had a blast!!
Our team was encouraged by the knowledge gained on the football field as well as in the game of life as participants made life dedications and or re-dedications to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Two days were spent traveling and two days were spent ministering through faith and football. Matt Kinsinger (Chicago Rush-fullback) implented an excellent football clinic which was accomplished perfectly with the help of James, Clevan, Patrick and John. Off the field, Kelly and Andi hosted a women’s seminar for wives/girlfriends of the Mexican AFL players. We experienced great prayer and planning times along the way. Glory to God for allowing us to move in a love that transcended cultural and language barriers.
We would like to say publicly a big thank you to our two major sponsors—Steve and Marcia Wright and Glenn Epis. Without these and their financial generosity this trip would have never happened.
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