The Olivet Nazarene University Women’s soccer team, led by Coach Bill Bahr, spent two weeks in June playing soccer and serving in the local churches in Costa Rica. Their competition ranged from playing soccer friendly against the team from Los Angeles Church of the Nazarene, to playing against the Alajuela first division (which ended in a tie).
While the evenings were spent playing soccer, the team lent a hand with several projects in and around the SENDAS campus and local neighborhoods. They picked up garbage and recyclable items along the main roadway in front of the Los Angeles Church of the Nazarene dropping them off at a collection center. They also helped clean up the property after the original building where the congregation had met for several years was demolished to make room for the new building. They painted at the Barrio San Jose Nazarene Church in Alajuela and also painted and cut grass at the Coronado Nazarene Church. They spent some time at the BAMBI Center sharing a Bible presentation with the kids using puppets, songs and crafts. On the SENDAS campus, the team worked removing the stumps of Christmas trees to clear the ground for future trees to be re-planted. They spent one day at “La Finca” which is the Church of the Nazarene property in Poas. While there, they leveled dirt and moved staging block. They also shared the gospel with local soccer teams using the evangelism soccer balls. They left balls and uniforms for use by a couple of youth soccer teams.
ONU Women’s Soccer Coach, Bill Bahr, shared he finds trips like these are important for his players to be able to experience a culture other than their own and to serve God in a way that crosses cultural barriers. He also finds it helpful in creating team unity.
The Church of the Nazarene in Costa Rica is thankful for these women who chose to come an encourage the church and people through their soccer play as well as their work among us. Thank you, ONU, for sending your best to serve us!