Every place is unique

How do you multiply a sport or fitness program when the people in each neighborhood and town are so different?

A sports and games outreach strategy for kids has been adapted for cities, villages, jungles, and beaches. One leader running an outreach deep in the jungle wanted to demonstrate how the strategy could be adapted to suit any environment.

While someone stood beside a tree, the leader pulled out a long tube and calmly explained how a blow dart can kill a bird 10 meters away. The person by the tree started to worry! The lesson ended as a dart landed safely in the tree. The jungle leader explained that there were no balls or playing fields in the jungle, yet they could do the same sports outreach using simple materials and familiar games from the jungle.

Other locations use mobile climbing walls, video cameras, and large inflatable slides. Each sport and game event for kids looks different and is wonderfully adapted to its setting.

Some of the kids and families in these jungle contexts had never been out of the jungle or seen anyone who looked different than themselves, yet the sports strategy worked well.

It was a very important lesson to learn. We need to hold what we have with open and humble hands and allow space for others to make and adapt the ideas as their own. Regardless of what we think we have to offer, we are to be humble servants who empower others and build them up in ways that will benefit them. We need to be willing to listen more than we speak.

*Philippians 2:3b-4

*Rather, in humility,value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

You will find many different cultures where you live. Train people in how to develop culturally relevant sports strategies and tools for their unique community.