2008 CAMPS and NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPASION INTERNATIONAL and THE CITY OF ZACAPA
FACING SOME EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES

GSM Guatemala is at this time facing, by the grace of God, some exciting growth opportunities in the areas of program development and we needed prayers. We are excited to see how the Lord is growing this program. Many Guatemalan youth are coming to know Christ and this is what it’s all about.

Starting this October 20th GSM Guatemala staff will be conducting 16 one week camps in and around the capital city of Guatemala City. These camps represent great opportunities for us minister to 100’s of kids that do not know Christ as their Savior. The majority of the camps are in neighborhoods that are being exposed to the GSM soccer programs for the first time. We believe that the relationships being forged in these neighborhoods can result in adopting many of these camp programs into our year round programs where our coaches can continue the process of exposing them to the truths of God’s word weekly, while developing their soccer skills to a whole new level. During this time of the year GSM coaching staff focus camps as we are taking a break from our regular year round soccer academy programs. Last week we held an ‘end of the season’ tournament with four of our teams. Twelve boys accepted the Lord as a result. Things don’t get better than this. Please pray that these young hearts will now begin to claim the promises of God’s word regardless of the many negative influences that surround these kids from day to day.

The concentration and focus until now for GSM Guatemala programs has been in the capital city, with a population of seven million. We believe God will continue to open up doors and opportunities here as He reveals His plan a piece at a time. Two other significant opportunities that are potentially developing outside the capital city are in the city of Zacapa and a new relationship with Compassion International.

In recent meeting with the mayoral leadership of Zacapa (the mayor is a Christian), a city two hours outside of the capital with a population of 200,000, has brought about the possibility of a GSM Guatemala taking the reigns of leadership over their city’s already existing city recreational soccer programs that consist of 450 children. The city is committed to seeing their programs grow. This is a great opportunity for their youth to come to know Christ and they are eager, not only to see us implement programs of excellence in soccer, but our spiritual curriculum- knowing that heart changes are likely to occur in the players, as well.

Incredibly, a relationship with Compassion International is beginning to take shape here in Guatemala. Compassion International has a dedication to the Great Commission, discipleship, and to a holistic approach in the positive development of children - spiritually, socially, physically, and economically. They are having a huge impact here in Guatemala. Compassion has 140 centers, each connected with an evangelical church, serving more than 14,000 children. GSM Guatemala has been approached by Compassion to consider implementing our soccer programs within their already existing program format.

Our aim will be to compliment the objectives of Compassion while reinforcing their spiritual curriculum and developing our programs of soccer within their centers. The plan begins in January 2009 to do a pilot program in seven of the centers. We will train their staff and build what we hope will be the model for the other centers in the future. This is all a very large undertaking that has the tremendous ability of impacting thousands of children for the kingdom of God.

We ask that you pray for strength, wisdom, and that God would provide the necessary provisions to effectively carry out His plans. Thank you for your prayers and partnership with GSM. They help us be the hands and feet of Jesus in today’s world.

For more information contact Paul Banta President/Founder of GSM International pbanta@sc.rr.com or USA Office at 843.235.3762