Hey everyone!
So I'm currently on week 2 of my life in California. Things have been a roller coaster over the past 10 days or so. First things first, my computers acting up and rejecting te new software so I'm currently writing on my phone. Secondly and probably worst thing is that today I found out that I have Bronchitis. I've been fighting sickness for about a week now and my chest is about to explode from coughing too much. Being an athlete is tough once your heart rate increases so does the intensity of the sickness. I am not in a position where I can just sit out and wait for the storm to pass, so I'm still training and playing through the sickness. Lastly a small update on the team! The team finished preseason tying Cal Sate and beating a local Semipro team both being scrimmages. We started our first official game Saturday May 17th when we traveled to Las Vegas. The result ended up a 2-2 tie however walking away with points on the road is a good result for any away team. The toughest part of it all though were the fans. The "crazy hooligan" fans were harassing us (like most home crowds do) however this crowd hit us real hard. They began to bash/make fun of our religious beliefs. I can not repeat the things that were said but a PG example would be: "Your Gods not ****** real" or "your ****** savior can't save you" It was extreamly difficult to hear such persecution. In my 20 years playing this game, I've never been apart of a discrimination harassment like that. Over and over explicit after explicit I found myself sickened by the sadness and hatred in the hearts of the fans. Please pray for Vegas with me because they made it not about soccer, it was personal and hit our team hard.
On a good note, our team has been doing well. Training is tough and the guys are phenomenal soccer players. Although we play in the toughest division, I think we may be a decent team. Our ministry has started and I have been chosen to lead a group of 6-7 of my teammates in a small group sports ministry training after every practice. My group is full
Of guys from all different backgrounds and levels of faith but all are hungry to learn more about the love of God and how we can apply it to out game and to
Our life's. We've also volunteered already at a local school that was damaged by recent earthquakes. We helped teachers move and store supplies and brought a trailer full of donated supplies that will help them get back to their feet. It was a blessing to be apart of!
The last bit of information may be the most exciting! On Thursday (2 days from now) our team is traveling to Mexico to stay and live in an orphanage and minister to the local children. These children do not have parents not do they know who their parents are. The only thing they know is that they are abandoned and many feel like they are worthless and have nobody that loves them. It is our honor and privilege to not only stay with them for four days but to love on them, show them that God values them, and maybe even teach the a soccer trick or two. The children are going to be so happy but I know that our players will quickly learn that the kids aren't the only ones being ministered to.
Please help me pray for a few things: 1) my health, I cannot do what I do while being so sick and drained. Pray for healing and energy 2) pray for the list in Vegas who made it well known  that yet are not ok with a living God  nor do they even elite be in. 3) for the  team as we begin growing as brothers in Christ and doing ministry together. Pray for our upcoming games and for our talents to be shown to the world. 4) pray for the orphans we will see in a few short days. Pray they feel loved and grow an understanding that they don't need earthly parents but better yet that they have a father in heaven who not only loves them but died for them. Pray that they may see Christs loe through us and question about why we do what we do.

Thanks for your time and prayers! Please write me, text me, or email
Me with any  thoughts or encouragement you may have! I love hearing from my friends!

Love you All!
God Bless
Hayden Coffman #8

(615)268-9571
Haydencoffman1@gmail.com
1201 Casa Del Rey Dr.
La Habra California 90631

          And so it begins! it was only four days ago when I was sitting at my college graduation becoming the first male in the 2014 class to walk across that stage and receive a diploma. Three short hours later I found myself sitting first class on an American Airlines flight heading for the west coast. Saying goodbye to my best friend and the people I've grown up with over the past five years was one of the toughest things I think I'll ever have to do, however it is so comforting knowing that they are now on an amazing new path God has set for them!
        I arrived in California late Saturday night where it finally sunk in that this is all happening and that for the next four months I will call this place my home. The teams General Manager dropped me off at my new home where I was able to meet my new host family. Each out of town player is placed with a host family each season. The family takes them in as one of their own and helps provide small essentials (food, conversation, roof over our heads) to make our transition to California a little easier. I have been very blessed to have a beautiful host family that has been nothing short of amazing. My host father (Kent) is a religion professor in the graduate program at Azusa Pacific University. "Mother" (Kim) is a stay at home mom but volunteers at the church quite often. They have two college aged children but only one (Kayla) lives at home, she also attends APU. There are two small dogs, Abby and Millie both of which are complete opposites. Abby can play and fight 24/7, she also twitches constantly due to excitement. Millie is extremely calm and often sleeps in a tiny basket but snores louder than a grown man. I do have a teammate staying at the same house as me. His name is Alvaro "Alvi" and he's a defender from Chile but plays collegiate soccer in Kansas. He's a great guy and an awesome soccer player so it will be nice getting to know him. Maybe I'll even learn some Spanish over the next few months!
       The team had its first practice Monday morning. Half of the guys were there as the others were still traveling or some even completing finals in college. The training sessions was nice, but it will take a while to get used to this hot ball in the sky. I think its called the sun... whatever it is it's hot and it makes fitness and workouts a lot harder than back home. That night we had the privilege to watch our sister team from Charlotte play against the LA Galaxy 2. Many of you may remember but this is the professional team that had previously offered me a spot 3 months ago. It was very good to see them however, they gave us VIP clearance at the Stub Hub Center where we attended the Pre game Chapel and met all the guys in the lockerrooms. We even snuck onto the field and got an up close and personal view of the MLS stadium.
       So far we've had two practices as a team. We are looking pretty good so far, but still lacking 5-10 players who will be arriving this week. Please continue to pray for us as we train our bodies and mind preparing ourselves for a season filled with sports ministry. Please pray for me as I am currently the only goalkeeper at training camp and it has already taken a toll on my body. California's ground is like concrete due to no rain and its not fun diving and pounding the ground over and over so please pray my body can take all the reps until my teammates arrive. Also pray for the people we will come into contact with. Pray that they see something different in us and question why we do what we do.
      Thank you for reading and for all your prayers. I would love to stay in contact with you so please share this blog with anyone you know, send me a text or email, and follow me on all social medias! I love you all and can't thank you enough. God Bless!

  Hayden Coffman

(615) 268-9571

haydencoffman1@gmail.com

WRITE ME!

1201 Casa Del Rey Dr.

La Habra California 90631