I didn’t realize that the sports ministry aspect of what I would be doing here in Ecuador would involve chess. Is chess a sport? Kids at this school play chess. Not sure how it started, not sure why it continues, but kids play chess. So now I play chess. I’m not really good, but I play.

I run a study hall. The first few weeks nobody would talk to me. I started bringing a chessboard with me. Still nobody wanted to interact with me. As kids started warming up to me, one student would play me. Soon enough I can’t have enough chessboards in my classroom. Everybody is playing. And they’re talking…

I started an intramural chess tournament. Students are playing. People are talking. I’ve had more connections with students over chess than nearly any other method. I’m excited to see what God will do through chess. I certainly have more opportunities to talk to students then I ever have before. I’m become normal to students and friends with many. The more normal I become to them the more opportunities I have. The more opportunities God give me.

And I’m improving in chess… I made it to the final… where I got killed.