아래의 글은 월드 컵 당시 영국과의 승부차기에서 훌륭하게 골 문을 지킨 아르헨티나의 골 키퍼 까를로스 로아에 관한 대총회에 계신 움베르또 라시 박사의 글을 전재한 것이다.

본인은 까를로스 로아가 안식일 교인이라는 이야기를 듣고 한 아르헨티교회의 홈 페이지를 방문하고 그곳의 담임 목사님께 확인을 요청한 결과 대총회 교육부장 라시 박사의 글을 보내왔다.  


Dear Pastor Kwon JohngHaeng:

It was really nice receive a letter from so far away from us. May God bless your church in Seoul Korea. We would like to send a big Hello to our brothers there.

I'm including here a note about the soccer player Roathat was written by Humberto M. Rasi from the General Conference. I think that gives you a complete background.

If you would like to get more information, just let us know.

God bless you and Maranatha!

Valeria Zamorano
vzamorano@mail.org
http://www.tagnet.org/floridasa


From:   Humberto M. Rasi, [102555,2215]
       
Date:   7/2/98  9:38 AM

RE:     World Cup Hot News

       Soccer is the only truly global sport. The rules are simple. Theonly equipment necessary is a more-or-less bouncy round object that can be kicked on a more-or-less level field. At its best, it is a manly, intelligent ballet. Soccer is fun to play and to watch, but it can also break your heart when your team loses.
       Fans who have been following the Soccer World Cup in France will remember for a long time  the dramatic game that Argentina and England played for two exciting and exhausting hours Tuesday evening (June 30) in Saint-Ettiene.
       The game score was even 2-2 for more than an hour and could have been won by either team. It ended up at the very last moment, when the Argentine goal keeper, Carlos Roa, deflected the penalty kick of England's David Batty, thus deciding the hard-fought encounter in favor of the Argentinians, which moved to the next round.
       Many  fans know that Roa's nickname in soccer parlance is "Lechuga" (English, Lettuce). I had heard that name mentioned during the game, but what I didn't know until yesterday is the background to the nickname, which will be of interest to Adventists who are also soccer aficionados.
       "Lettuce" is what his friends and fellow players call him affectionately because... he is a committed  vegetarian. Why? Chalk that up to EGW and Adventist health reform!!
       Roa grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist home in Santa Fe, Argentina--a country famous for its beefstakes and barbecues. His parents had become Adventists in 1974. Bible studies were given by pastor Anibal Espada (now secretary of the Austral Union in Buenos Aires) and the family joined the Church.      Espada says that Carlos was "a typical Adventist youngster. He went to an Adventist school in Santa Fe, was active in Pathfinders, and was baptized  in the Adventist Church."
       Roa married a lady who later became herself a Seventh-day Adventist.  After moving to Buenos Aires, to play for Racing Club, Roa and his wife became members of the church in Avellaneda. He attended church on Sabbath whenever he could. They sent their two children to the Avellaneda Adventist School. Roa made donations to expand the school and taught children of the Pathfinder Club how to be a good goal keeper.
       Roa considers himself an Adventist. But when became a professional player, he asked to be removed from the list of members because he did not want to be a bad example to other Adventists. However, he is very open about his faith and church sympathies.
       A few years ago, during a tour of Africa to play friendly soccer games, Roa's nickname became better known in the media. While insisting in eating only vegetables,  fruits, and legumes, he became very ill of malaria and lost 15 pounds. This experience was the cause of many jokes from his fellow players, who felt that "Lechuga" was being punished for his strict vegetarianism and clean lifestyle. His life was in serious danger, but his organism responded and he resumed his professional career as a goal keeper. Last year he and his family moved to Spain, to play for the soccer team Mallorca.
       In a recent issue, Argentine journal "Gente" (equivalent to "People" in the USA), profiles Roa with this words, "Carlos Roa is the titular goal keeper of the Argentine selection. He is 28 years old, always calm, a vegetarian (hence his nickname Lettuce) who does not drink alcohol or takes drugs, sleeps a full night, and always carries a Bible in his suitcase." Then adds, "His vegetarian conviction is anchored in his religious faith.... Carlos Roa (28) and his family are members of the Adventist Church.... He lives in Mallorca with his wife, Silvia, and his daughters Ayelen (10) and Soraya (5). His diet includes 'vegetables, pasta, fish. I never eat read meat nor chicken. But sweets do tempt me. My spiritual convictions give me strength. I always pray before a game."
       Yesterday, during a popular TV talk show for women in Buenos Aires, Silvia Roa was contacted by phone in Europe. She was asked about her faith and Silvia talked eloquently about prayer in her life as a Seventh-day Adventist--prayer in the family, for her husband and her two daughters. "I know that God hears and answers prayer," she said.
       "Clarin," the most popular morning newspaper in Buenos Aires summarizes the game from Saint-Etienne in its July 1, 1998 issue. The reporter closes his story: "Last night, here, when Argentina was still celebrating, Roa was about to take a well-deserved shower. He was stopped
and asked who did he dedicate the victory of his team. Roa  looked at his hands, and without hesitating said, 'To God.'"
       So, unfortunately for the excellent English soccer team (which also deserved to win that magnificent game),  the hands that deflected the ball and ultimately decided the game were vegetarian-nurtured, cuasi-Adventist hands.
       Ah, the lasting influence on lifestyle of an Adventist home and an Adventist school!
       Humberto M. Rasi

NOTE: For more recent information, you may contact Elder Carlos Rando, Communication Director of the Austral Union, in Buenos Aires. His e-mail address: ua@ua.satlink.net