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.

JOHANNESBURG — It’s not your typical Africa.

Kids – many of them Caucasian – run across a grassy soccer field, practicing their dribbling and goaltending skills. The wind is so cold it causes teeth to chatter and eyes to water.

The children are participating in an Upward soccer clinic, a popular outreach event held at many churches in the United States.

But this isn’t suburbia, USA. It’s suburbia, South Africa.

Edenvale Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa holds a weeklong soccer clinic for the children in their community. The children learn soccer skills, do drills, play in a tournament and hold daily “huddles” where they hear the Word and learn Scripture verses. Out of 180 kids in attendance nearly 150 are unchurched.

Read more about Edenvale’s soccer clinic at www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.