Soccer, Reconciliation, and 5/8 Club (A Few of My Favorite Things)

Three years ago our 5/8 Club Summer Program was kicking off on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, and we had a huge schedule conflict.  At 10am, the United States Men's National Team was facing Algeria in a crucial World Cup match, it's last in group play.  At the same time, England and Slovenia were playing the other game in Group C.  If England beat Slovenia, the United States would have to win its game to advance. Lose or tie and go home.

My co-leader Richard and I knew we had to somehow work the soccer game into our Summer Program curriculum, because neither of us was willing to miss it.  That year's World Cup was hosted by South Africa (the first on the continent), and I had seen a fantastic short documentary on ESPN about Robben Island, the notorious South African prison where political dissidents, including Nelson Mandela, were held for years.  It told the story of how the prisoners long fought for, and were eventually given, the right to play soccer in prison.  Amazingly, this prison soccer league had an effect on the country of South Africa that endures to this day.  Rather than give the reason away, I highly encourage you to watch the 18-minute documentary yourself:



Back to June 23.  We started the Summer Program as we normally would, at the White House that Abundant Life owns, and had breakfast and talked about our expectations for the summer.  We then went to my house to watch the documentary and discuss it.  Afterward, the boys could watch the game in the living room or play board games in the kitchen.  The game was easily the most tense I've seen.  Despite threatening multiple times, neither team could find the back of the net, and the tension increased exponentially as the clock inched closer to the end of regulation.  They reached ninety minutes in a scoreless tie, with four minutes of stoppage time added (there is no extra time in group play).  England was wrapping up a 1-0 victory over Slovenia, so the U.S. was four minutes from being ousted in the first round, as they were in 2006.

Finally, 45 seconds into stoppage time, a breakthrough.  Goalkeeper Tim Howard collected the ball and threw a long pass to a streaking Landon Donovan down the right sideline.  Donovan took several touches and passed ahead to Jozy Altidore in the box, who crossed to Clint Dempsey.  Dempsey's hard shot was blocked by the Algerian keeper, but Donovan followed the play and buried the rebound into the lower left corner of the net.  Our living room erupted, like living rooms, bars, and outdoor screening areas around the country and the world.  Comically (but painfully), Richard jumped in the air and hit his head on the door frame.  This youtube video very well sums up the joy from that day, and you can read more about the U.S.'s epic 1-0 victory here.  It gives me goosebumps thinking back to it.  

You may be wondering, "Why is this post timely?"  Two Saturdays ago I had the pleasure to see Vusi Mahlasela perform in concert for the third time.  Vusi, known as "The Voice of South Africa," has long used his music to bring awareness to civil rights issues, including during South Africa's freedom movement.  The themes of ubuntu, forgiveness, reconciliation, and justice permeate his beautiful and important music.  Vusi performed my favorite song by him, "Sing to the People," at the 2010 World Cup Kick-Off concert, which you can watch below.  Enjoy!

Sweet Dreams

A week and a half ago I was driving five kids home from snow tubing at Wintergreen on a Friday night.  The youngest of them, a 5th grader, was fast asleep for most of the hour-long ride.  He awoke abruptly when we dropped off a leader, who slammed the door behind him.

"Where are we?  Is we home?"
I told him where we were.  A few minutes later...
"Are we missing someone?"
(He was asleep when we dropped off the person sitting next to him).
And when we arrived at his house and he got off the van...
"I had fun today."
"I'm glad you did," I told him.  "I had fun, too."

You can see pictures from our trip on our facebook page.