The World's Cup

Many of us saw the advertisement for the movie, “Invictus” ... about the South African rugby team. The film itself is based on events that took place in South Africa not long after Nelson Mandela had been elected president of the country. In the movie, Mandela infers to the South African rugby team that if they can gain the support of non-white South Africans and succeed in the upcoming World Cup, the country will be unified and inspired.

Mandela also shares with the players a poem, “Invictus,” that had inspired him during his time in prison, helping him to “stand when all he wanted to do was lie down.” In the end, the team did win the Rugby World Cup -- and in a nation divided sharply by apartheid -- 62,000 fans of all races gathered together to celebrate.

Next month, the biggest sporting tournament ever to take place in Africa begins. The football (soccer in America) World Cup is 30 days away and much of South Africa is excited. While it is always nice if the best team wins -- it’s even nicer when the jubilation spills out of the stadium and helps change the lives of those who live in poverty.

Yes, it’s a lot to hope for, but hope is the thing which changes lives.