Hello!!
So I hope everyone is doing fantastic and has been enjoying their summer! I do apologize for the short break I had from posting a blog. I've been out of the country one week and the past two weeks have been traveling during the typical off days. To catch everyone up to speed I last spoke about our preperation for the Mexico trip!
The Mexico trip overall was a fantastic experience. One that I'll probably never forget. We as a team had the privilege to not only spend a week with abandoned orphans but also LIVE along side them in small dorm rooms at the orphanage. At first we were strangers, college aged American men versus 40 orphans ranging from 5-15 in age. Two very different groups, cultures, and languages. It's amazing that we even got through the week to be honest. No one would've guessed that the ice breaker would be in the hands of two young Mexican girls. For some reason they decided that they wanted to teach an American boy how to play "party cake" and within 15 minutes the entire team and group were all playing patty cake, laughing and joking like we've been friends forever. Seeing 15-20 college boys playing party cake... Just let that image burn in your minds! Very funny.
After the ice was broken we began to just connect with the kids. Each meal the children would choose a player to be their dinner buddy. I was a crowd favorite strictly due to my position I play. I wasn't Hayden on this trip but instead "portido" which is Spanish for goalkeeper. I found a group one 3-4 guys that I made good connections with. We had a great time playing games, teaching eachother things, and just enjoying life together.
We played two matches while in Mexico. Both resulting in victories. What was great was that the orphans surprised us at our games! All 40 or so of them wearing Seahorse shirts screaming for us. It made our experience that much better seeing the smiles on the kids faces as we played. I know they don't leave the orphanage a lot so I'm glad we gave them the excuse to come out and enjoy some futbol! After our trip I had the privilege to meet up with my orphan friend who I had grown close to. I have him my gloves and keeper bag which was signed by myself. It's a small gesture that made the kids week. Taking gloves that I didn't need anymore and sharing them was a highlight I'll cherish for years to come!
So now back in America playing our season. We currently are struggling to find our feet all while playing against two conference leaders and the reigning champions. I know though that God has a plan for us and that he knows what's best so even during our struggles we look to him in order to find strength and power. We've played in some really nice stadiums and in front of a couple thousand fans, we have even played against a player who the night before our match was ESPNs #1 top play on SportsCenter. So overall the competition is fantastic but the results are a work in progress. Our team is hitting the gym hard and the practice field even harder. We have kept our heads high and for that I am thankful!
Please be in prayer for us as we start our children camps next week! I have been chosen to be a director for a couple camps so I too ask for your prayers. Please pray for our campers that God will work through us to lead them and for our team to continue to compete at a high level.
If you feel lead please contact me via text, phone, email, letter or Facebook for any questions you may have or to just catch up! Thanks for all your support and love. I truly am blessed to have you in my life!
Hayden
(615)268-9571
Haydencoffman1@gmail.com
1201 Casa Del Rey
La Habra California
