Wrestlers playing basketball at a Mongolian prison?

Yes you read that right. Our first day in Mongolia we went to a Juvenal Prison to play basketball. Most of us were a little apprehensive about going into a prison...and playing basketball. Steve B. our AIA Staff in Mongolia, Jesse S. from the Air Force Academy, and Sukh our AIA national staff in Mongolia had been there earlier in the week to talk with the guards and lay down the foundation for us coming.

As we arrived at the prison we heard some good news, we had an MBA champion and leading scorer was coming to play on our team! Our first question was "what is the MBA?" we soon found out it was the Mongolian Basketball Association. We meet our new teammate, were lead into the prison, warmed up, and then the kids were brought out. We split our group into two teams, and they created two teams.

As the game began a few things were obvious. Number 1 the kids were good at basketball! Number 2 they were very friendly and really enjoying themselves.  Number 3 wrestlers are really not good at basketball. After 2 defeats (even with a pro basketball player) we decided to switch things up and teach the kids ultimate football. They seemed to enjoy the new game, we did much better, and we left them with the football at the end of the day!!

After the game we meet with the kids inside a classroom, where we told them about AIA Wrestling and what we were doing. We handed out our brochures with the Gospel in Mongolian.  Chris C. did an amazing job of sharing his testimony. It was one that the kids could easily relate to and he has a knack for drawing in a crowd with his personality. Ian then presented the Gospel as Sukh translated. It was a great experience and a wonderful way to kick off the trip! I had been nervous about going into a prison but looking back realized it was just fear of the unknown. God taught me a big lesson through this, one I should have learned long ago, but He has things planned out and is in control! Here is a little video of the game and our time here the first day. Brought to you by Chris C.