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Woman By Justin Callaham Photos by Robert Madrid
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Amber Callaham
orn in Sebring, Florida Amber Callaham grew up with a big heart and passion for serving. From volunteering at the Children’s Home of Sebring while in high school, to spending spring breaks and Saturdays helping disadvantaged children while in college, Amber has always been passionate about meeting the needs of others, especially children. Recently, she, along with athletes from all over the United States, traveled with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes [FCA] to help meet the needs of the children at Mountain Park Academy [MPA]. MPA is a private school located in Nakuru, Kenya. The FCA team taught the Nakuru Academy’s boys American football. The first step was to outfit the boys in the necessary equipment; helmet, pants, pads, jersey, socks and cleats. Amber recalled that once the older boys were dressed several of the younger boys began giggling uncontrollably. She asked why they were laughing and a young boy exclaimed that he “had never seen a boy in such tight pants before!” The FCA team also taught the Academy’s girls soccer. The girls were given socks, shorts and shoes. Perhaps most importantly, the FCA team provided each participant a full lunch. In many cases, the lunch was the only meal a child would eat for the day. The trip to Kenya was not simply about teaching boys and girls the fundamentals of football and soccer; it was about communicating the saving message of Jesus Christ through the power of sports. Each day the FCA would begin with an early morning devotional. Amber recalled that the devotional “was a time for us to get our hearts and minds in the right place and see what the Lord wanted to teach us that day before the kids came. We knew that once they came they would be vying for our attention until the sun fell.” After their morning devotional the FCA team would gather the children for the days activities. Amber’s favorite time of the day was the late afternoon when she broke into small groups and ministered to MPA’s girls. In Nakuru, as in most of Africa, girls are expected to get married, have chil-
Heartland LIVING June July 2014
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Woman