Trojan Soccer Donates Gear to Zambian Orphanage

ZAMBIAN ORPHANS GATHER FOR A GROUP PHOTO - Adam Riddell

Zambian orphans posed for Trinity International University (TIU) alum Adam Riddell’s “my kiddies” facebook album with cleats, tennis shoes, jerseys, shorts and soccer balls donated by the men and women of TIU soccer Wednesday.

Former TIU men’s soccer captain Riddell now partners with Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM) and lives and works with orphans and vulnerable children in Lusaka.

“There are 52 of them and they all love to play soccer,” said Riddell. Upon a short visit to Chicago in January for his best friend’s wedding, Riddell came up with the idea to bring donated goods from TIU back to his kids at the orphanage.

TIU women’s soccer player Wendy Moore answered Riddell’s call and volunteered as point-person for the soccer clothes drive. Moore posted a sign at the Meyer Sports Complex and at her Trinity Hall suite, both complemented with empty cardboard boxes that turned over 150 items over the span of winter break.

“It was something I wanted to do, because I had met those kids and had been there,” said Moore. Her and Riddell were both part of TIU’s first team to be sent to Zambia in the spring of 2006. “You could tell already last year that Adam was going to be back.”

The donated gear exceeded the luggage regulation and Riddell was unable to bring it all with him on the plane. The excess goods will be taken by Interim Associate Dean of Students Greg Leeper and his wife Hillary Leeper on their return to Zambia – a short-term mission trip scheduled for spring break. The Leepers plan to unite with Riddell and do ministry with JCM – “Combating child labor through education.”

“In short, we remove kids from the work force and put them back into schools,” said Riddell. In addition to helping the children, Riddell and JCM teach the parents specific skills, such as baking, catering, and tailoring, in order to help them to provide for their child so that he or she can go to school instead of work.

Riddell and JCM also head efforts to remove some of the 800 kids who live on the streets in Lusaka alone. In one weekend Riddell and his team removed 13 kids and invited them to the orphanage.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a 10 or 11-year- old sleep on concrete,” said Riddell. After adding kids to the orphanage Riddell begins the process of building their trust and finding out their real story.

Riddell put ear-to-ear smiles on the kids’ faces when he arrived back at the orphanage with boxes of the Trojan soccer gear, and pictures were posted online for all TIU men and women soccer players to see. Kings put on the New Castle jersey, Esau juggled the TIU Brine practice ball, and Jack wore the Predator soccer cleats with style.

“Many thanks to the wonderful people in the men and women’s soccer program at TIU for their generous donations,” said Riddell. “If I was an emotional man, I would have cried many times over at the sight of my guys wearing shoes and playing ball. Thank you so so much.”

ADAM RIDDELL GIVES A HEARTY THANKS ON BEHALF OF HIS KIDS - Adam Riddell

Trinity's Own Wed on Campus

Trinity Hall Residence Director Anne Kooi and Trinity International University (TIU) Director of Networking and Telecommunications Kelvin Tohme were married in the Arnold T. Olson Chapel center Saturday afternoon.

The two met while Tohme was giving an Information Technology (IT) presentation last year to the Trinity Residence Directors and Assistants about using GroupWise – email communication software – and accessing the TIU network. Kooi stayed afterward to ask questions, but friends say that she confessed it was for a little more than just getting information about the technology.

Tohme and Kooi quickly recognized long-distance running as one of their common interests and both participated in the Chicago Marathon in Fall 2006. Tohme popped the question last summer at the romantic Castle Coch in Wales, and slipped an engagement ring on Kooi’s finger after she excitingly proclaimed “yes!”

“These rings are more than some wedding bling” said Rev. Steve Argue after the couple repeated their vows. The informal style of Reverend Argue’s message and his long, blond, shaggy hair added flair to the traditional, yet contemporary, ceremony in which only one cell phone sounded.

The guests were escorted to their seats and the wedding party was accompanied to the stage with hymns performed by a solo instrumental pianist. The Bride began the small stretch to her Groom, lined by family, friends, students and faculty, while bridesmaid and TIU’s Johnson Residence Hall Director Heather Harms sang “Praise to the Lord.”

The service continued with a congregational reading of Psalm 100, Lamentations 3:22-26 and Isaiah 25, and another solo by Harms. She sang “Jesus What a Beautiful Name,” a song she had sung to encourage roommate Kooi.

Friend of the Groom and TIU’s IT Director of PC Support and Instructional Technology Chris Miller also read scripture from Romans 12:1-3 and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School student Matt Tebbe lead the couple in worship.

When not fixed on each other’s eyes, Kooi and Tohme faced the audience during most of the service, smiling warmly and showing appreciation for all of the love and encouragement that was present in the room. The anticipation and excitement in the chapel could not be denied, and it was intensified by Kooi’s glowing smile and Tohme’s raised eyebrows.

“Thanks for being H-O-T hot!” said Tohme to his bride as they exchanged personal comments before they recited their vows. Laughter sprang immediately from the crowd – half in surprise and half in confusion. “I don’t know why they’re laughing,” continued Tohme coolly, “Because you’re Honest, Open, and Transparent.” Kooi responded with a curtsey and reciprocated with an insightful story about the recent impact the worship song “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” had on her life.

Row by row, the couple greeted and dismissed the guests to the Lew Center, which was transformed into a reception hall with its light fixtures, white table cloths and centerpieces of long-stemmed red roses. The bathrooms were stocked with dinner mints and the lofted balconies were adorned with lights and an overflow of guests, all who enjoyed dinner from “On The Border” Mexican cuisine served by Sedexho caterers.

Dancing continued well after finished dinner plates were removed from the tables and Groomsman and TIU Athletic Director Patrick Gilliam gave a three-point sermon as his Best Man speech. While the wedding party kidnapped Kooi, Tohme was forced to slow-dance by himself in order to bring her back to the dance floor. Tohme also serenaded his new bride with a Steven Curtis Chapman solo.

After hours of celebration, the newlyweds performed their grand exit and Tohme surprised his wife Sunday morning with a one-week honeymoon in Costa Rica.