Bolivian Basketball Bonding

There we are...CHAMPIONS! 

This past week, my varsity girls and the varsity boys had playoff games last Tuesday and Thursday.  We are in a league that consists of us and 3 other teams.  Throughout the season we play each team twice.  Both varsity girls and boys teams went into the playoff games undefeated!! 

The boys team!!

Tuesday, dressed in my Boston gear, we played our first of two playoff games.  Winning this game meant we would play for the championship.  The game started off pretty rough.  After the first quarter, the score was 2-2!  It was the ugliest we had played...well ever!  As I think about it, the seniors had not played with the team in a week and a half due to senior trip and our practice was canceled the day before due to a track meet.  They had to find their groove.  We finally did, and in spite of Bolivian refs we won 31-15.

Thursday, our game started an hour and a half after school got out, so I had the girls meet me in my room for a time prayer.  At this time, one of our senior girls was lying in the nurses office with a fever.  I asked all the girls to pray.  It was so nice to hear their hearts for their ill teammate and for each other.  They praised the Lord for the season and the fun we had had together.  They prayed for His glory to be shown in the game and for protection of us and the other team. 

At game time the gym was packed and loud.   I had never seen it this packed before.  We were all nervous, and you could tell in the way we started the game.  We knew going in that the last time we play St. Thomas their defense had improved.  This time was no different.  At halftime, we were down by 3 points.  We had never been down at halftime in any game thus far.  It looked like to me the other team wanted the win more than we did.  They showed me different in the 3rd quarter.  Once we pulled ahead, we never looked back.  We won...I don't remember the score.

This basketball season was filled with many firsts for me.  This was my first winning season, my first time as a head coach for a high school varsity team, my first time to yell at refs in Spanish, and my first undefeated season.  I have enjoyed every moment with these girls.  After I was drenched by water, another first, I met my team outside where we usually went for halftimes and told them how proud I was of them.  One of my girls spoke up and said that she didn't like me when the season started and that she almost quit.  She then expressed that she has grown to really love me, and she is so thankful that she stuck with it, enduring the running and rules that I put in place.  I am thankful too because she was one of our MVPs this season, and she is now like a little sister to me. 

My favorite picture...Thanking the Lord for our season!

I was not only blessed with amazing girls, but also with a great assistant coach that stood beside me and shared insights about the girls that helped me approach them in the right way.  Laura had an amazing way of calling out my harshness in such a gentle way.  I love that she stepped up to help, encourage me and the girls, as well as love me in those moments when I wasn't lovable.  God knows the people I need walking beside me in this life.  He provides who and what we need at the right time.  For His provision of Laura, I will be forever thankful!!

 

Laura and I...she rocks!

These girls have become a huge blessing to me, and God has allowed me to pour into them as well.  Even now, I meet with a few of them on a regular basis to hold them accountable in their walk with God and with other relationships in their lives.   Being here in Bolivia, at this school has allowed me opportunities to pour into teenagers lives that I didn't have in the states.  I am so thankful to the Father for calling me out of my selfishness of not wanting to coach and for showing me that it wasn't about basketball or me.  It was about Him, and the way He wanted to work in their lives using me directly and/or indirectly.  I could not have done this without the Lord's leading.  He was all over this season and these relationships, and for that I am so grateful!! 



A little excited!

Spirit finger defense picture...inside joke!

My Seniors!