What does Gerson do?

Many of you know that Gerson works at the Bolivian Evangelical University (BEU) as the Athletic Director. However, you DON'T know what all that involves! Periodically, I'd like to share with you what my husband does. He doesn't just collect trophies for the univeristy sport's department. For him, this is a ministry focused on reaching young people for Christ through sports they love and desire to excel in!

One of the big responsibilites Gerson has is recruiting BEU students and "hiring" extra, outside coaches for the Santa Cruz Univeristy Olympics every October. Each coach is expected to pray with the team/athtletes before each game and practice, as well as share a short devotional thought with them. The majority of the students at the BEU are NOT Christians. However, many of them enjoy sports and are eager to join a sports team for the duration of the Olympics. During that month, they are given many opportunities to hear the Gospel message, witness Christian sportsmanship through the coaching staff, and respond to the Holy Spirit in making a decision for Christ. Although few have come to Christ through this particular ministry, many have heard the Gospel! Pray that the seeds that have been sown will grow!

In all of Santa Cruz, there are 16 universities that participate in the University Olympics. In 2006, Gerson's first year working in this area, the BEU finished in 7th place, which was quite an amazing accomplishment. The year before, the university had finished 12th place! In 2007, the BEU finished in 6th place. Above is the women's basketball team from 2007. They won gold both in 2006 and 2007, but due to a uniform technicality with one of the players (having to do with a number mix-up on the jersey) in 2006, they were bumped down to silver after winning the championship game. Last year we corrected the uniform problem and there was no question about who received the gold!

The UEB participates in as many of the sporting events as possible. Swimming is one of the events. The lady in the swimming suit is a BEU student who is also one of the best swimmers in her category in Bolivia! We are blessed to have her at the BEU. She always brings home the gold!

We also participate in other events such as track-and-field, soccer, volleyball, indoor soccer, and shooting (guns -- not sure the technical term for that when it's a sport!). Above are 2 track-and-field atheltes from the UEB. One finished in 3rd place and one in 1st place! God has truly blessed the sports ministry!

Please be in prayer for Gerson as he works with these university students. He sees many of the several times a week throughout the year as they come by his campus office to talk to him, hang out, and play ping-pong. During the last 2 years of working there, he has been able to develop relationships with many of the athletes of the BEU. Pray that God will continue to give Gerson opportunities to witness for Christ through his influence with sports at the univeristy level!