With outdoor activities multiplying and people more open to new friendships, summer in our city is an incredible season full of wonderful moments. It’s during this time that, after months of cold, everyone wants to make the most of the three warmest months of the year, bringing joy and energy to the streets.

Almost every day, I take my son, little Luca, to play in the park near our house. The contact with nature does him a lot of good, and he loves interacting with other children. It was during one of these outings that we met Arvin and Mira. They have always lived in this city. They met when they were young, got married, and recently had their first child, Arte, who is almost the same age as Luca. The couple is passionate about soccer, especially the English team, and they dream of living in England. From our first meeting, the conversation flowed naturally, creating a mutual rapport. Since then, we have tried to bring our children to play together whenever we can synchronize our schedules.

Arvin invited me to watch the Euro Cup games, a soccer championship that brings together Europe’s best players. Now, in addition to our park meetings, we gather to watch the games and talk about life. On one of these occasions, we ventured to the city center, which has a fan zone for watching the matches, along with various options for shopping, eating and drinking.

Arvin noticed that I neither drank nor smoked and was curious why. I explained that I follow a healthier lifestyle and that those habits aren’t good for my body. He mentioned that he would love to quit smoking but finds it difficult. During game breaks, Arvin asked me various questions about my lifestyle, and I explained the eight natural remedies to him. As it was late when the game ended, we said goodbye and headed home.

Arvin knows we are Seventh-day Adventist Christians, but we haven’t had an in-depth conversation about Jesus and religion yet. I am sure these conversations will happen as we continue to meet during the Euro Cup. I believe God is opening doors for a beautiful and fruitful friendship with this family even after the tournament ends.

The importance of understanding people’s interests goes beyond a simple interaction. It’s about building bonds, sharing moments and values, and perhaps inspiring positive changes in someone’s life. Whether through a soccer game or a playdate at the park, each interaction is an opportunity to create lasting and meaningful connections.

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