Mali Soccer Camp

April 24-25

Over one hundred high school students from the Bamako area attended this soccer camp in Mali. The camp hosted 89 Muslim students – that’s almost the entire camp! There were 42 Muslim young women at camp, including Mariam. Mariam is 14 years old and in 9th grade, and was introduced to Young Life through Jokebet, a leader who visited her school and developed a friendship with her. At club, Mariam said “we had a lot of fun…I forgot my worries and these connections allowed me to know Jesus better and also know why He really came.” She experienced problems in her family life, and shared them with Jokebet. They prayed together, and Mariam said she saw changes happen in her family!

“I thank Jesus for this new life that He has given me, knowing that He has come to die on the cross for me.”
– Mariam, YL camper

Since giving her life to Christ, she has continued to attend club, Bible study and this soccer camp – all of which allow her to grow in her faith. She is not safe to disclose her newfound faith in Jesus Christ to her family, so Young Life became her new community. At the end of camp, Mariam said “I thank Jesus for this new life that He has given me, knowing that He has come to die on the cross for me.” We are so thankful for Mariam’s faith, as well as the 15 new believers who committed their lives to Christ at this camp! Pray for all these new believers, especially the nine who come from Muslim families where it may not be safe to share their faith in Jesus.