San Antonio

Almost like the Garden of Eden, San Antonio Village once was a vibrant place with a closely-knit community. The majority creole and East-Indian population of people grew up with numerous brothers and sisters and hundreds of cousins--practically the whole village was related to each other. And while the community and brotherhood still exists within San Antonio, much has been lost since the earlier innocence of its history.

Our dear friend Lincoln Hall described San Antonio as a very sad story, but like his strong hands and built shoulders there is a fight in his heart to restore what has been lost in the generation before him. I am convinced that one glimpse into his eyes could inspire hope in anyone. For Lincoln serves as the link to a chain of what once was, what is no longer, and what now could be.

When the drug trade infiltrated Belize many years ago, the village of San Antonio took a major hit. The people actually prospered for a while by growing and selling marijuana. But when the drug trade died much of the beauty of San Antonio was lost as well. Youth and adults turned to the available drugs which led to the destruction of many families and lives with their entire community feeling the impact of such tragedy. Lincoln says that he can remember a time before the brokenness hit his village and hopes it can return to that state once again. “We are hoping out on the kids”, Lincoln says. And with two of the most well-behaved, charismatic, and brilliant sons, he is a father and a leader poised to bring up a new generation of children and youth.

Lincoln serves on the village council for San Antonio. Sports Servants got connected to him through our friend Mac with The Belize Project. Mac was helping to start a school food program, a library, and a micro-loan program for women in the village. One thing Mac realized was the love for soccer in the village. And the other thing he realized was that no one in the village owned a soccer ball. Mac returned the next day and gave Lincoln two balls.

Sports Servants entered into partnership with San Antonio in 2008 through our introduction to Lincoln. An immediate friendship was formed and a trust in his spirit came from the first moments with him. His mind and heart seemed more connected and present than most men we have ever met. So as we began our journey with him last summer, we could only smile to think about the hope that is coming alive through an organized structure of play for the village. In just a matter of a few weeks, great change came within the hearts and minds of the children. Among the many stories already happening is one of a new champion named Byron.

Byron

The San Antonio story reflects much of the mission and vision for Sports Servants—to empower those who know far more than we do so that much more good can be done than we could ever imagine doing on our own. The dream is not necessarily ours to begin with. It has always been Lincoln’s and his brothers and sisters in his village. So while we feel privileged to play a role in the story of San Antonio, it is a minor part to a major story being lived out by the Belizean people themselves.