JOHANNESBURG — “I will never be the same,” said João Batista. “I will go back [to Brazil] a different person. This has changed my life.”

A Brazilian volunteer mission group, 200-strong, has come to South Africa to minister during the World Cup. Representing 25 denominations, they come under the coordination of the Brazilian Baptist International Mission Board. They are here to share the Gospel through soccer and health clinics; puppets and plays; and arts, crafts and sewing classes.

Johannesburg has two stadiums that are venues for World Cup matches. The older, Ellis Park, is the site of South Africa’s thrilling 1995 victory in the Rugby World Cup. South Africans pray that the unity experienced then will be revived through the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The good news is: Prostitutes are complaining because business is not booming during the World Cup, and they had expected that it would. Apparently, fans are more interested in soccer than in sex! In South Africa, a country with an HIV epidemic, this is good news indeed.

The bad news is: Human trafficking is still alive and well. The lives of thousands of young women, boys and girls are devastated as they are taken from their families under false pretenses and trafficked into domestic servitude, menial labor or the sex trade.

Pray for human traffickers, that they will feel guilty about the harm they are doing to innocent lives and will cease their involvement in the trade. Pray for prostitutes, that they will realize their value in God’s eyes and be able to get out of their destructive lifestyle. Intercede for victims of human trafficking, that they will be set free. Pray that men and women, boys and girls everywhere will come to know and accept God’s plan for human sexuality.

Durban is home to large Muslim and Hindu communities. Intercede for Christians who want to find effective ways to share their faith with followers of other religions. Pray that their lives will reflect the love, grace and mercy of Jesus to everyone they encounter.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – Today France and South Africa meet in this World Cup host city for a key match that may decide who proceeds to the next round of the competition. But a group of French fans are focused more on the soccer action in townships than those being broadcast on television.

A French team from Athletes in Action is ministering to youth in the townships of Bloemfontein through soccer camps.

Followers of Jesus who are actively sharing their faith during these exciting days have requested two specific types of prayer:

(1). Intercede for individuals who are having difficulty understanding how a God Who loves them would allow terrible things, like physical and sexual abuse, to happen to them. Pray they will be able to trust God enough and be so overwhelmed by His love expressed through His Son that their strongest desire will be to have a relationship with Him.
(2). Intercede for young South African Christians who have been working alongside foreign volunteers. Pray they will have self confidence and realize they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share their faith just as effectively after the volunteers leave. Pray for them to persevere and to be motivated to both share their faith and disciple new believers.

PRETORIA, South Africa — Suicide. Grief. Abuse. These are some of the issues faced by the women on the South African national soccer teams. About 27 female soccer players from Athletes In Action (AIA) came from the United States and Canada to train with and minister to over 30 members of the South African teams — Banyana Banyana (the national team), Betswana (the Under 20 team), and Betwana Betwana (the Under 17 team).

A large part the training camp was spent on drills, skill building and simulation matches, while relationship building and group sessions aided in the women’s emotional growth.

During the sessions, some South African players opened up about their social and familial exploitation, such as rape and lesbianism, which they experience on a regular basis in their living situations.

In Cape Town, many children are coming to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior when they hear about Him at soccer clinics and Holiday Bible Clubs. Pray that these children will become strong disciples of Christ.

From Pam Lynch: We ended the week with a wonderful “Celebration” service at New Crossroads Baptist Church near Andile and Mzamomhle schools. All of the children were invited to attend the service. They commenced with very enthusiastic singing of the theme song, “Life Champs,” based on Joshua 1:9 and written by the seminary students who had helped lead the Holiday Bible Schools and Soccer Camps. A skit was presented by one of the classes of girls, also based on the Scripture verse for the week. After some of the seminary students presented a skit of the Prodigal Son, centering around forgiveness and acceptance, Bibles were given to all of the childrens who had accepted Christ as their Savior this week. Although not all of the kids who made this important decision were able to attend the service, 103 Bibles were presented to these new believers! This was an exciting time for them. Their “coaches” (teachers) did the presentations which made it all the more special for the kids. Praise the Lord for these camps and kids who are now part of the Lord’s family. The church was given the admonition to accept and nurture these children. Missionaries who work in these schools will be doing follow-up with them as well.

In Soweto, South Africa, lots of people know who Jesus is, but they don’t know Him as Lord and Savior. Student missionaries with International World Changers help them understand what a true relationship with Jesus means.

View more photos and stories from the International World Changers.