This is a story about my young friend, Ben Brown, who recently celebrated his 9th birthday. When inviting his friends to his birthday party, he asked them to bring money to support GOL 2010 instead of bringing gifts for him.
He sent a letter with his invitations explaining that GOL 2010 is a missionary project. He told his friends that some of them may know that the World Cup will be held next summer in Johannesburg, South Africa. He said his church would be conducting special soccer camps all over the world using these really cool balls.
The idea is that someone from the church will take a ball and begin kicking it around. Kids will gather and play a pick-up game of soccer. The ball has different colors on it, which allows the kids to learn about salvation. Then the kids and their parents are invited to come back to view the JESUS film.
Ben explained to me what the colors on the ball represent. He said black is the sin in our hearts, red is the blood of Jesus, white is our hearts after the blood of Jesus cleans them, gold is God, and green is for our growth as Christians.
Ben invited nine friends and his three siblings to his party, which was held at Lifetime Fitness. The highlight of the party was climbing the rock wall. Ben's 5-year-old brother, Graham, was excited to be old enough to climb the wall. He made it all the way to the top, just like his brothers, Ben and Will.
After the activities, everyone enjoyed pizza, ice cream and cake. Ben told his friends the money they brought instead of gifts would help other kids learn to love Jesus "like we do." He thanked them and gave each one a hacky sack ball which had the special colors on it exactly like the soccer balls.
Ben raised a total of $130 for GOL 2010. He was thrilled to learn that the money he earned would buy 13 soccer balls!
I have often told Ben I feel he is a little missionary, as he reaches out to other kids. He has ministered to my own grandson, Brenten, at his Caravan class at church. Also, he recently led his younger brother, Graham, to Jesus at home on a Sunday afternoon. Who knows what God has in store for Ben's future?!