PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY TOUR AND DOES MINISTRY WITH GSM IN JAMAICA
Head Coach Jose Gomez said, "I would like to thank the GSM for allowing PBA to partner with them for a missions trip in Jamaica. The opportunity to share Jesus Christ crucified and risen was a true blessing for the men’s soccer team. The guides, Baris and Gregory, provided us with four matches, school ministries, and a chance to share some time in an orphanage. Thank you GSM for providing a great ministry and platform in which we could proclaim Christ as our Savior in Jamaica!"

Palm Beach Atlantic University Soccer Team (FL) and lead by their Head Coach Jose Gomez came to Jamaica from May 11 – 18 to play matches and do GSM International Ministry were greeted at Norman Manley International by the Global Soccer Ministry staff Director Baris Johnson and Coaching stff memeber Gregory Hall were soon off to Altamont Court Hotel in Kingston.

After a trip orientation meeting it was time to do some local visiting before there evening match. Off to tour at one of the national top news papers, the Gleaner Company for a tour. The tour was guided by Mr. Hubert Marsh, who showed them an in depth tour of different jobs, responsibilities and departments of the company. The Art Museum was next on the schedule and lastly downtown Kingston by foot allowing to team to be fully engulfed by the true Jamaican culture. Dress in all identical Palm Beach Atlantic 2009 Mission Tour t-shirt they cause quite a commotion on the streets where asked by many, “Where are you from”.

Day one was their first match against Premiership Waterhouse FC at the Mini Stadium against WFC U-21 men’s team who play in the Jamaican Football Federation U-21 league. Add to the PBAU squad were four Jamaican students/guest players from Santos FC and Harborview FC also playing with them. Cheyne Roberts score a penalty in the first half and Chance Sumner rocketing shot from 25 yard out to close the second half. With a win over Jamaica’s Waterhouse FC 2-0 back to the hotel for a break and then out on the town for a wonderful Jamaican meal.

The next match was at St Georges for their second game against an all star team made of KSAFA Players. After a hard fought battle of both side scoring and answering back, PABU lost 3-2. Their final match was again Super League club Mona FC. After 3 matches in 3 days everybody was a bit tired. Even Baris got some game time. After a long battle and exhaustion on both sides, the game tied 0-0. A.J shared a word with Real Mona we prayed together.

Outreach ministry for the players and coaches began at the Alpha Home for homeless/street boys. The whole trip to Alpha had such a godly presents. They tour the Mess Hall, living quarters and work stations the boys had. The school had it own printry where text book were manufactured. If the boys don’t work at the printry they had to do carpentry. They watch one boy carve a wooden block into a pen in 2 minute. After the tour the soccer field was next where they play 5v2 with the boys and then a 25v 25 as a lot of boys got involve after they minister to the boys. Another outreach visit was to The Mustard Seed Home, which was an elementary school/disability orphanage. First they tour the facility, stop by the children class room while they were still in session and got interviewed on the Roots 96.1 fm radio. Playing with the disable children and doing service projects, such as revamping the walls of rooms with a fresh coat of paint. This experience left many utterly speechless. The fact that you could make those children smile. I can’t even describe the feeling that evoked when one is able to joke around with the kids and make them laugh, hold their hand. These kids could see the love of Christ through us as a group and for whatever suffering they under go in the past, was quickly pushed away insight of true bliss they had. After service projects, they played with the kids ran around and climb on them.

It was Clay Roberts the former assistant coach to Jose Gomez was last minute surprise and the players had no idea he was coming. Clay now is the Head soccer coach of Philadelphia Biblical University that has a few words to say about GSM Jamaica and plans to take a GSM trip in the spring of 2010 had a few words to share after he got back to the states. “Everyone has a mental picture that immediately comes to mind when you tell them you are going to Jamaica. Warm weather, beautiful beaches, laid back lifestyle. Little thinking to do from Americans about the poverty, crime, darkness, and overall struggle to live, that is reality for most Jamaicans. The opportunity that GSM has in this great country to share the name of Christ is incredible. I am convinced that when you use the world’s game of soccer as a platform to share Jesus, everyone in Jamaica will pay attention. The level of football was very entertaining to watch and the overall welcoming was such a blessing. I look forward to returning to visit, and continuing the relationships I built with the GSM Director, Baris Johnson and Staff Coach Gregory Hall. There is going to be a great movement using the game of soccer to share the name of Jesus Christ in this country, and I can only hope and pray that the Lord allows me to be a part of it”.

After 4 days in Kingston PBAU travel across Jamaica by coach with stops at Fake’s Pen for the Jamaican Jerk Food while on their way to the All-Inclusive Star Fish Resort in Trelawny and to play a schedule match against Holland FC in the Super League and few days at the North Coastal Resort. They travel through the beautiful island sites, through famous Fern Gully and through Ochio Rios a thriving vacation and historical north coast village. Arriving at the Star Fish and after checking the guys went to a wonderful dinner and chilled out after 3 Kingston matches and outreach ministry a break was well dissevered. Next day was the beach and playing the hotel staff on the beach in beach sand soccer.

Match 4 was one with Holland FC from Trelawney at William Knibb High School of Usain Bolt. After the match PBAU worked with local youth player’s soccer clinic and shared about Christ, but PBAU decided to give all there uniforms to William Knibb HS Team. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

After spending the next morning at the resort we were back on the coach heading back to Kingston to watch a premiership between Portmore FC and Harbourview FC. The team got a chance to meet the HVFC staff and share with them before the game. Since they arrived early and were one of the first groups they were given 24 portable TV’s and after the match they gave 12 TVs to Alpha Home and 12 to the Mustard Seed Home. Needless to say the Kids at both homes were thrilled to see everyone once more time.

Back to the Altamont Court Hotel for a going away party and with friend they had met in Jamaica and having to say the good byes was not that easy.

All in the entire trip was a great one to share the name of Christ with outreach group, on the radio show, at matches, on the beach and beyond. Morning and evening devotionals bonded the team together and the entire trip to show them how fortunate they are with all they have scene and heard about Jamaica being here they realize seeing is believing. With the memory of experiences PBAU had we think that one day they will be back to Jamaica and they learned that WHAT WE DO MAKES A GREATER IMPACT THAN WHAT WE SAY. No problem man!