Dream Big: El Torneo de Amistad

On Monday, a teacher at Teleton asked if her church's youth group could come out today to play soccer with the kids. The same group came out in October, and our kids really connected with them. We asked that they did not bring gifts this time, and they agreed.

Right on time at 2:00 the group arrived. Our little kids were tired, many had just gone to sleep when the group got there, but they were allowed to wake up to participate with the group. Pom poms were made for all of the kids and most of the youth group too. Then 4 soccer teams were formed so the kids could have a tournament. A few in the youth group were on each team.

They wanted all of the kids to feel very special. Each game they either made one of the littlest kids or one of the kids that needed the most attention to be the capitain. On the sidelines, all of the kids were waving their pom poms and chanting for both teams on the field, which really encouraged everyone playing.

At the end of the tounament, everyone got medals. All the kids on the two teams that did not win plus our kids such as Yair and Doris who did not play soccer received a 3rd place medal. The team that one one game got silver place medals. And finally, the all girls team that won both games received the gold medal. While the medals were home made, the kids wore them with pride. Many, even after their showers, wore their medals with their pajamas.

After the tournament, and the medal presentation, the group pulled out a guitar and sang a couple of songs for the kids. Also, the group learned a song in sign language specifically for Rosy. I was touched that they would all learn that just for one girl. Many times, because so many of us don't know sign, there are not many special things just for her. To finish the afternoon, cake and drinks were served to everyone.