Cabo San Lucas 2021 (Part 1)
New year. New program. New energy. I began my 2021 season in Cabo San Lucas where I worked with Los Cabos Missions for Christ, the same organization with which we closed 2020.
It was great to be back on the field after almost a month of relaxation, rejuvenation and restocking our supplies. During the break, we received a generous 25 soccer ball donation from Universal Dialect and another 50 Sondico soccer balls. Our stockpile was full and ready for more programming.
It was so fitting to be back in Cabo San Lucas, working with this incredible organization. Our community contact messaged me in early January about another collaboration, something we had discussed during my last visit. This time I would be helping with a huge outreach event in las colonias where the organization partners with a team of chiropractors. As usual, the event is held at one of their feeding centers where the local community is used to gathering.
This program would be different from the rest as the event included chiropractors who provided free realignments and readjustments. It is a unique and welcomed opportunity for people in this region who do not have access to this type of medical care. Many of the beneficiaries work in tough labor jobs like construction and other physically demanding positions.
While the parents and older members of the community received this procedure, I would work with the kids and keep them engaged and occupied with the beautiful game.
During the winter months, Cabo is much cooler, so we had plenty of blankets, jackets and layers to go around. The kids were able to have fun with balloons, kites and other treats to complement the soccer balls they would receive at the end of our time together.
The program was fairly small and intimate, which made the transition to 2021 smooth. Freddy, one of the older participants, was quick to offer assistance as I walked to the soccer area near the kitchen. He grabbed a bag of balls, a task seen as a chore by many, but as an opportunity for Freddy. He and some other kids helped set up lines and cones for our first few drills.
We played in the middle of the road, occasionally having to step aside for a car or motorcycle to pass. After the first two drills, I mentioned we had another fun activity coming up. Freddy exclaimed, “Mano o cabeza?” Another girl added, “Sí, mano o cabeza!” Again, I was dumbfounded. How did they know this fan favorite game was coming?
The kids said, “Recordamos!”. “We remember you from a program at another kitchen near here. It was one of our favorite games!” I asked if any of them won a ball at that program, and they said they were close, but did not win. After all, I did have one more trick up my sleeve, as every kid was able to get a ball this time around.
After a few exciting rounds of the game, we broke into a scrimmage. We played golden goal and my team got crushed! The score had to be 6-2 or maybe 7-2.
As the grand finale, the kids got their choice of soccer ball with plenty of colors and styles to choose from. As the kids were marveling at their new prizes, the doctors pointed out that I had yet to be worked on. I have never done anything like this before, and was very nervous! Just like the individuals from las colonias the process began with a medical evaluation.
The doctor asked where I was feeling pain and after a day of playing with the kids, I was hurting everywhere. My legs were like noodles; we played for nearly two and a half hours. I felt much better, but still shiver at the thought of all of those pops.
The event was such a success, but one of the most special events came after the procedures and games. We all went out for tacos and food was shared the same way as stories of our favorite moments of the day. It was a great gathering, something that comes few and far between amid a global pandemic. A sense of normalcy and hope to start this 2021 season.
