Have you ever experienced Spirit immersing you into a ministry you thought was “somebody else’s” and not totally for you? Or did you “casually” initiate a ministry that you never meant to expand, only to find out that Spirit had other plans?
In December of 2023, we were visiting my parents in General Belgrano, the small rural town in Argentina where I was born and lived for 18 years before moving to Buenos Aires to attend college, and before moving to the United States where we live now.
As we do every time, my husband Gonzalo and I left our children with my parents and drove through town to find an open coffee shop, which was no easy task because “siestas” are quite non-negotiable in the summertime. We were on a quest to find the best coffee in town, in part because we love coffee, and in part because we wanted to do something fun while the world took a short break around us.
On our way to our destination, a group of kids playing soccer in a field next to the river caught our attention. We immediately thought “this could be a great way to keep our kids away from screens during siesta time!” So we approached the group to inquire if our children could potentially join their game.
We immediately observed most kids were playing barefoot, and the adult in charge explained he belonged to the Iglesia Cristiana Dios es Amor, and that this was one of the many activities they conducted with kids from low-income families, to give them a community they could belong to, keep them away from trouble, teach them values, and feed them a meal which was not always guaranteed at home.
When we asked why they were playing barefoot, a few of the kids told us they only had one pair of shoes which they saved for special occasions. They could not afford to ruin them playing soccer.
Promising to bring our kids to play with them, my husband hinted for me to get back in the car, and off we drove back to my parents’ home. Once in the car tears went down his cheeks as he said, “I cannot believe all the blessings we have, and we are not always grateful for them.” When we got to my parents’ home, he collected all the soccer gear we had brought with us: cleats, socks and soccer balls. We got our children in the car and we drove back to the field where the kids were playing.
We equipped them with what we had on hand, and promised to be back during our next trip from the U.S., bringing additional cleats, clothes, balls and other donations we would gather from our neighbors and friends. The next day, also during siesta time, we organized a soccer game (picadito) with them, and brought the cake we had bought to celebrate our son’s birthday. To say that we were embraced like family is an understatement.
As I watched the kids play, talk with each other, and share cake with so much joy, I knew in my heart this was a new ministry that was starting for our family. But not for me, “not my ministry.” I saw it as my husband’s and my children’s ministry. Back then, I was determined and focused on expanding my ministry with women in the U.S, so this was a “not for me” but definitely something to support them with.
As promised, in our next trip to Argentina we carried a big bag loaded with donations and hosted an event that brought together 15 kids. We equipped them with cleats, clothes and balls, and again shared a meal with them.
How This Ministry Began.
Six months later, same thing, this time with 30 kids. Nine months later, 60 kids, until in December 2025 we had 120 kids, our highest number yet.
All For Soccer was born, with website and all. A community was created, lasting friendships among adults and among kids were initiated, and a common mission of loving service brought us together once and again.
I kept thinking “not my ministry, not my purpose, but my husband’s and kids’ ministry, and something I can support.”
Back in December 2024 we had promised to host another event, but my dad was very sick. I was heartbroken. Yet, dad stayed home with my mom caring for him and we went to the field to hold our event. The loving and caring I received from the adults who knew my dad had a terminal illness was profoundly healing, and the opportunity to serve in the midst of my pain, was deeply comforting. The loving I gave came back to me multiplied, healing, comforting, and giving me strength. Spirit was so present. My dad passed into Spirit 13 days after that.
We continued hosting our events each time we traveled to Argentina, our donations limited to how much we could fit in our checked baggage.
Until my friend emailed me 5 months ago: “American Airlines is looking for a non-profit in Argentina for their 34th annual mission. They choose a different country each year, load their planes with donations, and a team of 30 employees from the U.S. fly over to support a local cause. You should send them your proposal as soon as possible!”
Our non-profit had been established in the U.S. so we needed a local partner in Argentina. But who? And Spirit showed me: my younger brother, with whom I had differences for years (karma!) and with whom I had only recently reconnected as we teamed up to help our sick dad. He had recycled an old agricultural machinery warehouse in General Belgrano, converting it into a beautiful basketball court.
“Julio, is your basketball court registered as a non-profit?” I asked.
“Yes! Just last week we go the paperwork” he said.
We had found our partner.
American Airlines seamlessly approved our joint event and the “not my ministry, but I can support it” took a different dimension altogether.
With American Airlines sending 30 employees from the U.S., this was not a casual gathering anymore, but a full day-event, held in two different venues (indoor basketball in the morning, outdoor soccer in the afternoon), with U.S visitors needing to be transported from Buenos Aires, two hours away from my hometown.
Their goal was to serve at least 180 kids, our highest number yet.
Not once in my hometown’s 135-year history had a group of 30 visitors from abroad set foot in it. The local media would be there, the government representatives would want to stop by, and we would need all hands on deck to make this happen.
I learned that when Spirit calls you into a ministry, it does not matter what your opinion about it is. Whatever your mind says about the ministry being yours or not, does not matter. Whether you feel you can do it or not, does not matter either. Once you choose back and you say you are willing to serve, Spirit will embrace your willingness, place you on a path of service and fully use all your talents.
Similarly, it does not matter if you thought something was supposed to remain small and its impact limited. When Spirit breathes into it, the spiritual action will expand like wildfire, and no human force will stop it.
Faced with the task of organizing an event of this magnitude from 5,000 miles away and a small $700 budget, I told myself, “Valeria, can you trust Spirit has your back? Can you let go of the need to control and worry, and flow and enjoy this?” With a shy “I do” I jumped all in.
The event took place on 8/8/26, after American Airlines (Spirit had a sense of humor) cancelled our flight and we barely made it to our event, arriving half an hour after it had started! Through cancellation and late arrivals, Spirit invited me to keep trusting and flow on spiritual energy, as 3 hours of sleep the night before would not take me too far if I relied on the energy only.
We had more than 300 attendees, equipped almost 200 children with sports gear, shoes, clothes, and school supplies that American Airlines had packed in 40 huge bags. We fed homemade empanadas and cake to the entire crowd (with only $700!), and enjoyed a day of community, friendship, and shared love.
How This Ministry Expanded.
We even had two barbers offering free haircuts to the kids! As my dear friend and fellow minister Wayde Binder, who was in attendance that day, expressed, “I saw these kids transform before my eyes. These barbers created an experience, such that these kids stood from that chair with more confidence and not just a new haircut.”
On 8/8/26, we were all blessed and transformed.
The children in my town witnessed there is a world far larger than what they had known so far. They saw possibilities, they saw kindness, service, and caring.
Our international visitors didn’t just hand over donations and leave. They sat with the children, they played with them, they looked into their eyes as they distributed the donations they had brought. They shared their own stories: “we, too, came from difficult places in Latin America. We studied, we worked hard, we built our lives and you can too.”
And our 40 local volunteers had the experience of working together in new ways, for this action united the two local Catholic churches, that worked side by side with the members of the local evangelist church, something totally unprecedented for my hometown, where people tend to identify with a specific church and not engage much with those who attend other churches.
We were in one accord, with no personal agendas, with no regard for country of origin, language, skin color, educational or income level. We were working side by side to create a memorable day for the kids and for us. The intention was clear, and so it was.
All For Soccer did not begin as my ministry. And that was a blessing, for I had no expectations as to how far this could go, and no attachments to it.
On 8/8/26 lives were reshaped forever, and right now, I can hear Spirit whisper “there’s more to come.” So be it.
