Zone 10:14 is a community development center founded by CMF partner Misael Cruz and run by the Maranatha Church in Fuego Nuevo, Iztapalapa, a marginal community on the southeast side of Mexico City. The center touches the lives of more than 400 families in the area. This fall, Zone 10:14 started a new soccer league in the neighborhood with help of a new Christian named Cesar, who is passionate about helping his community, making disciples and soccer. Mariana Luna, a Community Health Evangelist at Zone 10:14, shares the story here:

The initial goal was to provide a place for those the community calls “NINI’s” — youth who aren’t in school and do not have jobs. Many are also involved in drugs and alcohol. We soon realized that the plan was a big one and that we could begin to reach these NINIs by starting leagues for youth 8-11, 12-15 and 16-20 years old.

A formal request was made at the Iztapalapa government offices for the use of an abandoned park near Cesar’s tire shop, which has been the site of many drug deals, youth and adult drug and alcohol use. After a few months of planning and prayer, the authorities gave permission to use the park to organize a community soccer league for youth. The only requirement was that they could not charge teams to participate. The city even donated eight workers and a dump truck to cut the grass and weeds in the park.

Cesar’s participation has been key for the development of the league. He knew many of the youth in the area because they frequently “hang out” near his shop. Through Cesar’s connections word of the league spread quickly. He was able to organize a group of young people to donate their time to clean up the park, the court, and paint lines on the soccer court. Something we observed in the process was that the people in the community were surprised to see the youth preparing and painting the court. We heard many comments of disbelief. Some people even made fun of and criticized our efforts. But later the people who did not believe what was happening came and helped also.

In the weeks before the initiation of the league we were scared that the project would be a flop. But God is good and showed us that He was the one leading the project. We knew that with God’s help we would achieve our goal: to relate to these young people without being rejected. At that point, with a lot of emotion and confidence in God, we started the league, but we still didn’t know the extent of God’s blessing. Not only have the soccer fields and park been cleaned up, but families are coming together to watch their young people play soccer. It is here that the real community success is most notable.

The project, based on CHE principles, has resulted in the following community development: The games take place in the community park, a space that belongs to the people. It is for the benefit of the community. Though the initial impetus came from outside, the majority of the work has been done by members of the community. Members of the community, working for the benefit of the community to serve the needs of the community. We are now developing a community committee, including members of Maranatha Church, to keep the project going.

The league started Saturday, October 4, 2014, with a total of eight teams of five young people each, ages 16-20. Cesar volunteers his time as one of the referees. After the game, the teens pick up trash in the park and then meet under a tent to hear a CHE lesson with a physical and spiritual application. We have noticed that when the lesson is given, parents, friends, and others draw near to listen. We will continue to share these stories through CHE lessons in the coming weeks, as long as God gives us opportunity to see His grace and love.