Episode Details

The death of Afghan teenager, Zaki Anwari, as he fell from a plane while trying to escape the Taliban takeover in Kabul was saddening news as the world looked on to the despairing events of a few weeks ago. Zaki, described as a strong center back and bright student — had high hopes and aspirations and these came face to face with a grim reality as Taliban forces surged into the city of Kabul.

Today, on the podcast, in a way trying to honor Zaki’s memory, I wrestle with what drove Zaki to go to the airport that fateful day and what led him to hold onto that plane, although it would never have worked out the way that anyone would have impossible hoped. HOPE — it has been described as a dangerous thing. “It can make a man go insane.” But we all need hope, we all have hope — I talk about this and more in today’s From the Touchline podcast.

Mentioned on today’s podcast:

• The Shawshank Redemption (scene where Andy and Red talk about hope)
• Romans 8:18-28 (NIV)
• Stephen Curtis Chapman With Hope

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.