God's Coaching #217

God's Coaching #217

It’s the ultimate rags-to-riches story. One year Bébé was living in a homeless youth shelter. A few years later he had signed a contract to play for one of the most powerful soccer teams in the world, Manchester United. Oh, and they paid him $$114 million!

How did that happen? Bébé was noticed by scouts while playing for Portugal in the Homeless World Cup. The Homeless World Cup happens every year in August. It’s the brainchild of a South African man named Mel Young. He wanted to do something to fight homelessness, so he got creative. Homeless soccer organizations in more than 70 countries play year-round. So Mel planned a yearly tournament for them. Homeless World Cup games take place in the street or on the beach, not in fancy stadiums. Crowds often gather to cheer on the action. The experience is enough to change players’ lives. Organizers say many of the homeless players break their drug and alcohol addictions, get educations, jobs, and homes. The story of Bébé going from homeless to millionaire is straight out of his—and Mel’s—wildest dreams.

What’s the Score?

What a creative way to help the homeless! The Bible commands us to help the poor. Psalm 82:4 says, “Rescue the poor and helpless.” There are people in our towns with no place to live or eat. Most of them aren’t poor by choice. They may have made some bad choices in life, but they’ve also probably endured hard times or sicknesses beyond their control. It can be difficult sometimes to know how to help. Talk to your parents, and try some of these ideas:

1. Pack snack bags to carry in the car. Share them with people asking for help on street corners. You might even include information about a local church or shelter that can help more.

2. Do an underwear or toiletries drive. Those aren’t easy items for the homeless to get. And no one wants them secondhand.

3. Do a laundry-a-thon at a church or a coin-operated laundromat. Clean clothes are also hard for the homeless to come by. Think up your own ideas. There wasn’t a Homeless World Cup either, until Mel started one to change lives.

On the Ball

Talk with your parents about how your family can help poor or less fortunate families around you. Try one of the above ideas, or come up with your own.

Coach’s Comment

Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. Psalm 82:4