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“Worlds Apart Our Souls Alike”

It is 11:45 pm, Sunday, February 28th. I am sitting here in Singaraja, Indonesia. I am at Rumah Bapaku, a home to some 34 children who have been abandoned or left by their families for us to take care of.

At this very moment thousands of miles away, Michael Owen has just equalized for United in the Carling Cup Final. And now in the 42nd minute, Owen has been taken off due to injury. Not the first injury in his career. I can remember in 1998, watching him as young and fearless 18 year old, run rampant through Argentina’s defense and scoring what might have been the goal of his career. He was a fighter. A competitor. He hated to lose. And still does. Even now, with all his “ups and downs”, he is still getting the job done and finding the back of the net.

Rumah Bapaku’s own “theater of dreams” is a far cry from Wembley, but about 5 hours ago here at Rumah Bapaku, we had our own Cup Final of sorts. At least you would have thought so judging by the facial expressions of the winning and losing teams.

At 11 years old “Andy” (Josua Andy Pratama) is no stranger to the “ups and downs” of life. Andy came to Rumah Bapaku a year ago. This is his second orphanage. He has been in them since he was 6 years old. He is a survivor. A fighter. A competitor. He hates to lose. And at times, he is just as fearless as Owen was that day when he dribbled half of team Argentina and smashed the back of the net. He lost today. But I can promise you he will be back tomorrow ready to win.

Our surroundings vary. Wembley held 90,000 spectators today with millions more around the world watching. The daily “Rumah Bapaku Cup Final” had only its own players watching. Though Wembley is worlds apart, its souls are still very much like those of Rumah Bapaku.

Me, you, Andy, Michael Owen, the 90,000 plus at Wembley, and millions more around the world all share one thing in common besides this beautiful game. We each have a soul.

The God of the universe cares not if you are playing in front of 90,000 on a sunday afternoon in London. He does not care if you are playing at an orphanage, on a dirt field in front of no one. He cares only for your soul. Our soul reconciled to Him through Christ. People are people, all kinds all equal. All equally in need of the Savior. One who will rescue our souls.

Psalm 139.1-10

Jason Hotchkin is currently serving in Singaraja, Indonesia, with the aim to use football as a tool to share the Good News. We are priviledged to welcome Jason to 90+ as he shares with us the work God has called him too. Please pray for Jason during his time in Singaraja and if you have any words of encouragement please share them with him.

Jason is an exceptional footballer and has played professionally across the world. Most recently Jason played with the Cleveland City Stars in the second tier of Professional soccer in the US. However Jason has laid his playing career aside during his calling to serve in Indonesia.