‘Will any of you two be watching the football on Boxing Day?’ asked Mike.

‘Of course! We always watch the big match in our house!’ said Foxtrot.

‘Did you guys know that I once had a famous sportsman in my plane!’ asked Alpha excitedly. The others looked stunned – their mouths gaping wide in amazement.

‘It was Njaka – Madagascar’s international basketball star! He was flying with MAF as part of an organisation called Church Sports and Recreation Ministries. They travel to remote towns, teaching football and basketball skills with heaps of enthusiasm!

‘They attract hundreds of sports mad children and young people, sharing the Good News of Jesus with them in an enjoyable and relevant way.’

‘How do they find out about Jesus through sports?’ asked Foxtrot curiously.

‘Well, playing football during the daytime brings the community together, and in the evenings, after everyone is tired out from a long day of playing sports, they run teaching sessions and show a film about Jesus,’ explained Alpha.

‘That’s incredible!’ said Mike. ‘It’s lovely to hear that sport is bringing people together and helping them to understand Jesus better. Did you fly the sports equipment as well as the people?’

‘Yes, we did!’ Alpha continued. ‘In fact, we left footballs and Bibles with the young people. Church Sports and Recreation Ministries has been flying with MAF since 2019, and the team was so grateful that the short flight to the Melaky region saved them a time-consuming seven-day road trip. We saved so much time, that everyone had even more time to play football, which is always a good thing!’ ‘Sport is amazing!’ agreed the fox. ‘It not only makes us fitter, but teaches us endurance. Isaiah 40:31 says that “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”’