The PeacePassers team would like to thank the mission group from Matthews United Methodist Church (Matthews, NC) for volunteering to take 24 PeacePasser soccer balls to Bocachica, Colombia on their recent trip in May 17-24th , 2009.

Jeannette Coggins (Matthews UMC) tells PeacePassers “It was a very successful mission trip.  This was the third trip to this area for these students, so they were very excited to see the friends they have made there again.  Each and every team member was very focused on their purpose, and they all worked so hard together to get their projects completed.  They were able to build several latrines and a cistern for the island community.  They mixed cement by hand and poured a couple of floors for homes.  Of course, the highlight of the trip was distributing the soccer balls.  The guys there were so happy to receive them – and some were speechless when they realized that the balls were theirs to keep!”

Earl Coggins wrote us saying “there is an outdoor full length basketball court with half concrete walls around the court and that is where all the boys come to play soccer. Last year they were playing with a half flat ball.  What a joy they are going to have with these balls.”

We appreciate Earl Coggins and his daughter Beth Coggins for working with the PeacePassers to make this equipment donation a success. Also many thanks to Jeannette Coggins & Mr. Ben Icard (UMC) for coordinating several Spring shipments to Unitedvile, Belize in March 2009.
We look forward to continued connections with the Matthews UMC teams!