printed 15 November 2024
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Two younger folks from a Glasgow church organized a 12-hour soccer event to lift cash for a “as soon as in a lifetime” missionary journey to Rwanda.
Luke Anderson and Adam Herbert of Sandyhills Parish Church persuaded round 60 folks to participate within the all-night, five-a-side event at Ravenscraig Regional Sports activities Facility in Motherwell.
Groups from Sandyhills Parish Church, different congregations and numerous groups participated and performed video games from 7am to 7pm.
Luke, 17, and Adam, 18, have raised nearly £1,800 for his or her two-week journey to the Bissero area of Rwanda subsequent summer season with 13 volunteers from Sandyhills Parish Church.
Their “excellent efforts” had been acknowledged within the Scottish Parliament, with Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, tabling a movement which was signed by cross-party members.
Sandyhills Parish Church minister Rev Norman Afrin stated the November 2 soccer event was a “large success” and described Luke and Adam as “outstanding” kids.
He stated they’re half of a big group of “unbelievable” youths within the church who’re an inspiration to the congregation as an entire.
Luke, a sports activities enterprise administration scholar on the College of Stirling, defined: “Adam and I are occurring a once-in-a-lifetime missionary journey to Rwanda subsequent summer season with the church and we have been fascinated with how we are able to elevate the cash to pay for it.
“We’re each large soccer followers so we determined it might be a good suggestion to play 12 hours of soccer.
“It was Workforce Luke versus Workforce Adam and we organized completely different groups to play for us and other people from all walks of life had been concerned.
“We had a dad and mom’ sport, strolling soccer, a homeless crew and boys taking part in below the banner of knowledgeable soccer membership.
“It was an incredible expertise and I managed to win.
“However the rating wasn’t for nothing, it was only a chuckle, and we have raised nearly £1,800 up to now which is good.”
The group from Sandyhills Parish Church, aged between 16 and their 70s, are touring to Rwanda with Consolation Worldwide, a Scottish charity that works to rebuild lives devastated by poverty, genocide and battle in 5 central African international locations.
Volunteers will probably be concerned in numerous initiatives reminiscent of charities supporting road youngsters, mom and baby teams and widows’ teams and serving to folks working in pineapple fields.
Sandyhills Parish Church has had a long-standing reference to Rwanda for a few years and a big a part of the journey will proceed to develop current relationships and friendships.
Luke stated: “I am actually trying ahead to it and I am entering into with an open coronary heart and an open thoughts to see what occurs.
“We will probably be doing plenty of missionary work, taking part in soccer with the children, doing farm work and embracing the native tradition and spreading God’s love, which is crucial factor.”
Mr Afrin attended the soccer event and had two sons, Joel, 8, and Malachi, 5.
“Many individuals from the church had been concerned and Luke and Adam raised an unbelievable sum of money, it was an enormous success,” he added.
“I have not performed soccer in about 9 years and do not know the way a lot I used, or what number of instances I really touched the ball, nevertheless it was plenty of enjoyable and nice to assist the boys of their sport. Fundraiser
“Luke and Adam are actually enthusiastic about going to Rwanda and are each very obsessed with soccer so it was a great way to place the 2 issues collectively.
“They’re each fantastic younger folks, they’ve a robust religion and an actual love for Jesus, and they’re concerned within the church in several methods.”
Mr Afrin stated “God has actually blessed” the variety of younger folks attending Sandyhills Parish Church.
“The younger folks going to Rwanda are actually excited and so they’re not anticipating a handout to fund the journey and are taking the initiative to lift cash themselves, which is nice as a result of it suggests they purchase into the imaginative and prescient of what we’re doing.”
For extra details about touring to Rwanda and supporting Sandyhills Parish Church Group, e-mail the Rev Norman Afrin at nafrin@churchofscotland.org.uk.
