Side-Lines Support

One of my favorite parts of my OLD job at Shades Mountain Baptist Church was being able to attend the sporting games of our youth. I'd gather basketball, football, volleyball schedules and map out how to make at least one game of each team where our youth were involved. I NEVER expected that aspect of my former life to bleed into my life in South Africa.

My sweet friend, Shanice (16 years old, attends Capricorn Community Church and Living Hope Teen Club), showed me her Netball skills during our World Cup Holiday Clubs. Each afternoon during the Holiday Club, we'd teach the boys Soccer skills and let them compete in casual matches while the girls did Netball drills and played friendly games. Shanice, being one of our oldest Club attendees, stepped up and coached, ran drills, and taught ME how to play Netball (similar, yet very different than my native sport of Basketball).

I casually mentioned to Shanice that I'd love to see her play a game with her school. Shanice attends a school far from Capricorn. She takes a taxi to school each day and her school fees are paid for through a scholarship. She's a bright young girl and is getting a challenging education because of this scholarship!

One day during Club, Shanice shyly came up to me, tugged on my jacket and said, "Mel, you know how you said to tell you when I was playing Netball? Well, I have a game tomorrow... could you come?" I grinned so wide as I saw how timid she was to ask me to attend. I said, "Shanice, it would be an honor!" So, that next day, I went to Capricorn to pick up one of Shanice's friends and my dear friend, Melanie (whom you've seen lots of pictures of already), and we went to Shanice's Netball game! Before we arrived, we stopped at the BP petrol station and got some snack and bottled water for our viewing party! Melanie was wide eyed in the BP when I told her she could pick out anything she wanted to eat and drink. She said, "really?" I said, "Yes, just pick something for you and for Shanice!" Seeing both of them appreciate the small gesture of a packet of chips and a drink was humbling!

When we arrived to the school, Shanice was surprised to see us. She smiled so big and gave me a big hug. As we talked, she told me that her parents have never been able to come see her play (because of distance, home responsibilities with other children, and their work schedules). We were quite possibly the first supporters and fans she'd ever had at her games. That made me so sad, yet so thankful God had crossed our paths so that we could give her confidence and show her that she was loved and important! As you can guess, I was loud and embarrassed Shanice on a few occasions. She'd say, "Mel, calm down." or "Mel, please!" I'd just laugh and say, "Shanice, I love you, I'm going to cheer for you, and embarrassment comes with the territory!" She just laughed! I'm so thankful to Shades Mountain and my experience in Girls Ministry to know how important Side-Lines-Support can be to a young girl. The presence of those you love (and that love you)- at an event where you're on display- is a big deal to a girls' confidence.

Shanice is a special young lady. The Lord is going to do amazing things with her life. Keep her in your prayers!