We Hope They Can Eat and Play

Palawan Soccer Ministry · 2026.09

When we visited Palawan, the soccer team wanted to travel to Manila for an away match. We hope the children can eat well, play freely, and grow healthy as they pursue their dreams.

Could We Go to the Match Instead of Eating?

When we visited Palawan, the soccer team wanted to travel to Manila for an away match. At least ten players needed to go, but the cost for two of them had not yet been covered. They had also been invited to a tournament in Laguna.

When we offered to buy the children a filling meal, they asked if they could use that money to go to the match instead.

That is how much they wanted to play. Their coach explained that playing other teams regularly helps the children improve. For children who practice and build their skills every day, away matches are opportunities to learn and grow.

Once they sat at the table, they ate Korean food and meat as if they had never said otherwise. Seeing their bright smiles and the empty plates on the table, we wondered what would have happened if they had not eaten.

We understand their hearts. But we also hope that children who run every day in the intense heat will eat well, drink enough water, and grow healthy.

We hope they can eat well and play well.

Dreams Growing Beyond Worn-Out Soccer Shoes

The field where the children practice is rough and hard. Soccer shoes sent from the United States sometimes broke before they had been worn twice. The children cleared dangerous objects from the field, leveled the uneven dirt with their shoes, and prepared a safer place to run.

Even on that field, the children who practiced every day had visibly improved since our last visit. Opportunities to play on a wider stage are appearing, but raising the travel costs for away matches is still difficult.

A Story That Began with a Small Prayer

During this visit, we told the children that three years ago, when we planted a small prayer, there was not yet a soccer team or a victory.

We prayed without knowing what would happen next. Then someone planted a seed, someone else watered it, and little by little we are learning to know the God who gives the growth.

We hope that one day one of these children will play on a European stage. Until then, we hope they will grow healthy, learn, encourage one another, and play together today as they move toward that dream.

Join the Children’s Today and Their Next Match

Filling meals, a safe place to play, and match experiences where they can meet and learn from other teams all help the children grow.

We continue this small beginning alongside the students and coach in Palawan. Please join us through prayer and giving so the children can eat well, play freely, and grow their dreams instead of having to choose between a meal and a match.

Please Pray for the Palawan Soccer Team

• That the children will have enough food and water, and grow healthy without injury or illness in the heat of the field.
• That safe practice conditions, needed soccer shoes, and away-match costs will be provided so they can learn and grow on wider stages.
• That God will give the coach wisdom and strength, and send partners who will continue to encourage and walk with the children.
• That this team, which began with a small prayer, will grow beyond wins and results into a community that knows God and loves one another.

Please pray with us for the children’s filling meals and their next match.

Join the children’s table and dreams →

JBU Association · www.jesusbridgeus.org