“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
There’s a kind of joy that shows up even when the gear doesn’t. When we travel to countries that don’t have the “things” we think we need—like jerseys, cleats, cones, or a bag of balls—something surprising happens. Joy shows up anyway. And not just a little… it’s abundant. It’s real. It’s contagious. I love gear—most of us do. But let’s be honest: what we call “needs” often turn out to be wants. That truth hit me again while serving as part of a coaches training that culminated in a tournament for over 100 young boys from all over Jimma, Ethiopia. Because it was the rainy season, the tournament took place on a city plaza—cement and gravel underfoot, makeshift goals or cones at best, and only one ball per field. And yet, what I witnessed there changed me.
Slides, Socks, and Shared Shoes – Two moments stuck with me as I watched those boys compete with fire, passion—and pure joy.
First, I noticed their shoes. Some wore plastic sandals. Some wore mismatched sneakers—too big or too small. Some wore socks. Some wore slides. But here’s the beautiful part: when players subbed out or changed positions, they shared shoes. The goalkeeper always had the slides. When it was someone else’s turn to play in goal, they’d switch. It was unspoken, but clearly understood.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
What a picture of teamwork. Of mutual care. Of finding solutions. They didn’t see their circumstances as a barrier—they saw a challenge to meet together. And it made me think: how many balls do I think I need to run a session? What are my expectations for gear, quality, or conditions? That day, I saw quality of heart—and it convicted me.
Coaches as Goalposts
The second moment? Unforgettable. During a penalty shootout, the cones weren’t cutting it for goalposts. So what did the coaches do? They became the goalposts.
Literally—two coaches stood in place as posts, while the kids lined up to shoot. Every goal was a celebration. Every miss got a hug. And the biggest laughs? When a coach was rocked by a shot! Joy. Everywhere. No complaints. No entitlement. Just the love of the game on full display. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:23
Lessons from Coaching On Mission in Ethiopia
- Football brings people together—regardless of age, background, or resources.
- Enjoy the simplicity—we only need a ball and some friends to play.
- Don’t forget to smile—the joy of the game is a gift, not a grind.
- Gratitude is a learned skill—and often taught best by those who have the least.
- Humility, curiosity, and enthusiasm take intentional effort.
- Serving is a gift to ourselves—not just to others.
- Football is like life—you don’t always get what you deserve, but you can always choose your response.
This reminder, from Billy Graham, stays with me:
“A coach will impact more people in a year than most people will in a lifetime.” That impact doesn’t require perfect facilities, ideal conditions, or the latest gear. Just presence. Humility. And a willingness to be a post when the game needs one.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26
