In the spring of 2010 I was blessed with the privilege of speaking in the nation of Spain. I was accompanied by my husband and our two youngest children, 16 and 14 at the time. Also joining our efforts were my interpreter, who was a native of Spain, and our driver, whose roots were from Italy. We traveled over 2,000 miles while in the nation and I spoke fifteen times in eighteen days.

Before going, we made our first international transaction, commissioning two of my books to be printed in Spanish after having them translated into the language of the people of Spain.  The books arrived shortly after we landed and we picked them up at my first speaking engagement outside Madrid.

Before the trip, while working hard to raise the funds for this expedition and traveling-team, I prayed, “Lord, give us a  surprise with someone of great fame and influence in the nation of Spain.” And he did! I had thought it might be the King and Queen of Spain but soon learned they were gone on holiday. Still, I hoped for some intersection that only God could arrange.

Our surprise came while speaking in the town where the King and Queen once came for their get-away and hunting grounds. A pastor approached me on Monday morning after speaking at his church. He said in Spanish, through my interpreter, “God has moved heaven and earth for your family.” He and someone in his congregation had given us VIP passes to see the famous “Real Madrid” soccer team practice at a secret location. NO fans knew where it was and we not only had permission and VIP parking passes, but also more. A private tour of the Madrid soccer stadium was arranged with Real Madrid jerseys given to our two children–avid soccer fans.  No one could believe it, even the people in the community where we stayed.

The stadium tour was great fun with opportunity given to sit in the special seats of the players. They were described as luscious, padded, race car seats. A gift was given to our children of two expensive player jerseys with Cristiano Ronaldo’s number. Though he is known for not giving signatures, our children hoped beyond hope.  Leaving the stadium we traveled to the private club.  Watching the team practice in privacy with only a few there was amazing favor. We had been given instructions where to meet the team after practice. The paparazzi were confined to a box far from our viewing seats, and the fans were far away waiting at a place where no one would be coming. Our VIP pass gave us access to park our European rental van by their luxury cars of Audis, from sports cars to sedans.

At the end of the practice, a security guard alerted us that some of the players were about to come swiftly to their cars. God gave us our heart’s desires–not just for being with the soccer players known around the globe but for being with the most influential people in the nation. Spain and Soccer are in love with each other and it draws hundreds of thousands.  I had the joy of talking with Kaka and having a picture and video with him. He is a devout Christian and reigns from Brazil. I gave him the Spanish book of my story, “Seeing Beyond.” He was most gracious. At the same time, my children were talking with Ronaldo, who also received my book! What a day of great memories and legends.

Months later when back home in the States, we watched some of the soccer greats we met, along with others we saw that day, play in the World Cup as they represented their native nations. We kept yelling at our TV—“Hey! We met him!”

Connor, though he wanted them to know Christ, was deeply concerned that the players would come to Christ and quit soccer if they had my book and read it. We calmed his fears by assuring him that they would have a platform to influence others beyond what we could imagine and they would be on top of their game—for Life, if that happened. May it be so! Their stories are yet to be fully told. One thing is for sure…we got a “kick” out of the experience and His goals met. What victory!!

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!