Watching the World Cup with a Copy of Operation World Nearby

I can mark every four years since 1998 by the World Cup. I was 14 that year. It was a big deal that we played Iran in the group stage. The USA team didn't do well; the coach tried out a strange 3-6-1 formation that I've never seen since. I was hooked on soccer though.

I could tell you about the players and events of each World Cup since then. I watched the 2014 along with my kids but they were 5, 3, and 1--Kyle Beckerman and Mix Diskerud were their favorite players because they had cool hairstyles. They remember the 2018 WC in Russia, and 2022 in Qatar. We have inside jokes and stories we tell of the different tournaments. Some years they get excited by the yellow and red cards or the headers. In 2022 we made our own highlights of the great moments (those videos are priceless).

This year I took my four oldest to the St. Louis Arch for a Watch Party/Soccer Party hosted by STL City FC.


It was 94 degrees and so sunny. We played small-sided games while the organizers had a projection screen playing the first game of the tournament. We went inside to cool off and see the National Park museum below the arch. It was worth the drive because we'll always remember playing soccer with random strangers at such a beautiful place at the opening of the World Cup.

This year I'm also keeping Operation World by my beside and most nights I read up on the prayer needs for the different countries that are playing. It helps me personalize the countries a little bit. I can pick a detail or two to pray for such as the leadership training needs of the churches, or the need for the evangelical church to bring different ethnic groups together that are divided. I'm reminded that I have spiritual brothers and sisters in each of the countries playing in this World Cup. Their cities still need churches. Their pastors need help like ours do. Sometimes I remember to pray; other times I just learn about God's work around the World.

If you are watching the World Cup this summer, get out Operation World and use it to learn about Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Spain, and Curacao. 


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