….well, not quite.  But as I (Ken) had the chance to visit Koinonia-Hsinchu and Gracepoint-Hsinchu in Taiwan this past week, I found that one of the activities that the staff and students like to engage in was to play American football! 

I was genuinely surprised and pleased to see that the Taiwanese students seem to have an innate grasp of this truly American game!  During the time I was there, our football coaches–Kan and Harty–instructed us on the rules  of the game, then we spent about thirty mintues just doing various drills, learning different routes, and practicing passing and catching.

Then the game was an exciting, all-offensive shootout.  Despite not knowing how to throw a football prior to the day’s practice, one Taiwanese student (Patrick) mastered the short passing game and recorded two touchdowns!  Another Taiwanese student was a speedy receiver with great size (Tiger) and he quickly out-jumped and out-caught the rest of the playing field.

As for myself I had an excellent afternoon reliving the glorious junior-high days when I was the neighborhood quaterback in the Big Ten county of Chicago, Illinois:  4 passes, 3 completions, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, which means I pretty much slinged the ball to the endzone every chance I got. 

Playing American football is really a great way to fellowship.  I think with some practice and experience, these Taiwanese students may be able to take on Andy, Ryan, and the rest of Kairos 2 in a friendly game of football.  What do you think?

Harty instructing the beautiful game of American Football at Koinonia Hsinchu

Harty instructing the beautiful game of American Football at Koinonia Hsinchu

Will we find the next Peyton Manning or Matthew Stafford here in Taiwan?

Will we find the next Peyton Manning or Matthew Stafford here in Taiwan?