First of all I want to say Happy New Year to all and I wish everyone a great 2010. I am sure you all have great memories of 2009.

Things have been going well with my team as we go in to the new year with a 5-2 record. We split two games last week with Milwaukee and Rockford. This week we will be playing Monterrey and Milwaukee at home – Monterrey on Friday night and Milwaukee on Saturday.

This week I want to talk to you about my nine-day mission trip to Guatemala. I am still here and it has been great. I am here working with a group from Harrisburg Called a Tree4Hope.

This group make many trips to Guatemala and visit an orphanage called Hogar Maguel. I have been here since December 28 and will be heading back to Baltimore this week to get back to work with my team.

My club have approved this trip, as it is a part of the Hope4Life programme. I brought many Blast and ISL shirts here to give to the young people.

As the Hope4Life would be affiliating with Tree4Hope in the new year I felt the trip would be a good way to find out what goes on.

This is my first mission trip and it was amazing to see the look and happiness on the young people's faces when we showed up on the first day. Their joy touched our hearts in many ways and we fell in love with each of the kids.

Hogar has 80 young people in its orphanage and they are there because of abuse, gangs and many other situations.

The orphanage is their place of comfort and the Tree4Hope goes there each year and helps supply goods and works on projects that are needed at the orphanage.

This week our job was to help build a retainer wall for a classroom, build a chicken coop, deliver a music lesson, read to the kids and love them with our hearts.

Not only were we looking out for the orphanage kids but also the village kids who come to the orphanage when any mission groups come in.

My experience has been a great one and it is sad to know we will be leaving them behind soon.

I have noticed many of the kids love soccer, watching them kicking around the ball with so much love for the game just sends chills through me. I was also touched by their desire and dreams to become more.

I was so touched by this mission I am now working with a young man who loves soccer and I will be trying to give him opportunities which will help him set his own goals in life.

Being involved in a mission is one many would enjoy. It wakes you up and gives reality to what life is like outside our own. It makes you not only appreciate life but makes you appreciate the little things we have in it.

My young people at the orphanage want nothing but love, and sometimes I think we forget those are the things that go a long way.

As I leave you this week I want you to take some time out for your young people and educate them on the value of life, their life and what great opportunities they have in front of them today.

Until next time!