“SEEING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AT WORK” 2007-2008 recap

Just less than a year ago, L.A.C.E.S. began its mission to use sports as a vehicle for investing in the lives of war-affected Liberian youth. Now entering into our second year, it is obvious that God is taking this ministry to places far beyond our expectations. It is often overwhelming to realize that, even in such a short time significant life change has indeed been experienced through the L.A.C.E.S. sports leagues. And there is more life change to come.

Five years have passed since Liberia ended its 14-year civil war, but the effects are ever-present and immeasurable. In this way, the battle still continues, fighting against the spiritual, psychological, and physical ramifications of a past plagued with turmoil.
L.A.C.E.S. set out with a goal to help fight this battle through teamwork, mentorship, and sport. As is often the case, the original plan grew stronger and more effective as it yielded to the modifications and seized opportunities that are necessary for improvement. We have modified some of our strategies and programs in positive ways to better accommodate the needs of those we serve.

In the beginning, we targeted a community in the capital city of Monrovia called the Matadi Estate, and the first L.A.C.E.S. league took root. After hiring a Liberian program director and a Liberian mentoring coordinator, coaches were recruited and the inaugural 10 teams were formed from children ages 10-14. So in our first season, 130 children, both boys and girls, were being mentored on Christ-like living and were participating in the L.A.C.E.S. soccer league.

Soon an opportunity to expand was presented and 4 more teams were added to the Matadi league. And so we were able to affect the lives of 52 more children within the community. It was such a blessing to see God was growing the program, but His plans for expanding surely did not stop there.

In March of this year, L.A.C.E.S. implemented its first league outside of the city in the rural town of Konia, located approximately 6 hours north of Monrovia. With the expansion also came the addition of another staff member from Georgia, Jenny England, who implemented the L.A.C.E.S. program in Konia. The league in Konia added 80 more children to the total L.A.C.E.S. team members, making the total 262. It also added a second sport to the program, specifically for girls: kickball.


Seren Frost
Founder of LACES