My Journey

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