NYA Goaltender Takes Different Type of Vacation

[thadthrasher 1,692]

During the latest off-season in the VHL, New York American’s goaltender Thadius Sales took a much needed vacation. It was a long season for him in net, so this vacation was something that he had been waiting for. As a fairly simple man, not really buying much or spending much money, Sales was expected to take a vacation that would be a bit more reserved. Maybe some sort of camping trip, or backpacking, or even a weekend on the lake. Instead, Sales spent a bit more money than anyone expected, and he did something that no one expected. He went to Uganda.

 

While serving his time in the clink, Sales ended up meeting a man who had a dream of getting out of prison and going to Uganda to work with a company called World Gospel Mission. Sure enough, he did just that. Now he is a felon turned missionary, and Sales wanted to do what he could to help. So, he hopped on a plane, flew halfway around the world, and spent a few weeks in Uganda doing mission work.

 

There was one project that Sales really gravitated to, the Primary School located on one of the many islands on Lake Victoria. After a 3 hour boat ride, Sales and the team arrived to this tiny island. Upon hitting the shore the very first thing that happened was Sales and the team off the boat, for the water is considered toxic due to a microorganism that causes sever liver issues. They were placed on the land and met some of the local leaders, and spent a great amount of time playing with the children. The leaders, along with the children, showed the team the Primary School that was on the island.

 

The school wasn’t in the greatest of conditions. It needed some cleaning up on the inside, some serious supplies, and the big project was Sales’ favorite, the building of dormitories for orphaned school children.

 

 

This was a huge undertaking, but it was something the school really felt needed to be done. The teachers were already living together in small homes, and the children needed the same thing.

 

After getting acquainted with one another, Sales and the team moved quickly to help the other workers clear out a field that wasn’t producing healthy maze. They decided that it would be the prime location for the dormitories. It would be right behind the school, the perfect spot.

 

The building work was not incredibly difficult. It took a lot of time and was physically difficult, but most of the team had experience in building construction, so Sales was able to take orders given and do what he could.

When asked about why this was the most meaningful thing he could do for his vacation, Sales said, “I’ve always wanted to go somewhere that most people don’t want to go. I wanted to go and show people that I cared about them and that I would do what I could to be of some help.”

 

When we asked Sales if he had a favorite moment or experience, he shared with us this picture. He says that it shows his friend from prison playing with the children on the island. They had gathered around him after they accidently kicked their ball to him. He juggled it around a bit and ended up playing soccer with them for a while. Sales said it showed a moment of innocence between a man who many considered irreformable and children who many neglect.

 

In Sales’ opinion, this was the best way to spend his off-season.

 

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598 words, claiming week ending 23 May

Edited May 17, 2021 by thadthrasher

[Smarch 3,196]

Review:

 

Good read! It was nice to read something VHL players related that was off-ice stuff. A few people i know in our local church community often go to these places and offer a helping hand, and its very commendable. Sounds like a great way to spend a off-season after a tough sophomore schedule for Sales. 

 

Once again, good read and refreshing to not read about a upcoming or previous VHL season! Good pictures but the text got spread out through the large pictures which made the read more difficult

 

9/10