Ran across this quote in another blog (Bless you my friend...sorry I "lost" the site reference!).
I love the idea expressed here and wanted to paste it to my electronic journal...
( from St. Maximus the Confessor--whoever he was!)
The Word of God, born once in the flesh (such is his kindness and his goodness), is always willing to be born spiritually in those who desire him.
My prayer is that the celebration of His incarnation this year might result in many new mini- incarnations as He is newly "fleshed out" in those who desire him. I am praying that believers will be bold and gracious is sharing their faith with loved ones during family times together...
...and that members of one's family will become members of the One's family!
Friday, December 24, 2004
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Another Cardiac Arrest by the Kings
What an exciting game against Hunter last Thursday night (16 December 2004).
We were down by 20 (or was it 22?) points at our ebb, but slowly fought back to a see-saw in the fourth quarter. Almost gave up hope when the Pirates got a foul call and free throw to place them four ahead with 13 seconds left but the Kings don't seem to want to give up.
Hunter was already celebrating with a timeout while Goorj stratigised the next 5 or 6 plays for the remaining seconds. Somehow we made up two points got possession as the time ran out...
Jason Smith came through with the goods once again...this time after the buzzer so that the actual clock time was 0.0. He was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and the buzzer sounded (just after the whistle) so he went to the line with a bit of prayer under unbelievable pressure and hit all three free throws to win the game by one point.
A very young fan came up to him after the game and told him he was praying hard while Jason was shooting, to which he replied..."Thanks for joining me...I was praying too!" (As was the chaplain...and (I suspect) even a few "unbelievers"!)
We were down by 20 (or was it 22?) points at our ebb, but slowly fought back to a see-saw in the fourth quarter. Almost gave up hope when the Pirates got a foul call and free throw to place them four ahead with 13 seconds left but the Kings don't seem to want to give up.
Hunter was already celebrating with a timeout while Goorj stratigised the next 5 or 6 plays for the remaining seconds. Somehow we made up two points got possession as the time ran out...
Jason Smith came through with the goods once again...this time after the buzzer so that the actual clock time was 0.0. He was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and the buzzer sounded (just after the whistle) so he went to the line with a bit of prayer under unbelievable pressure and hit all three free throws to win the game by one point.
A very young fan came up to him after the game and told him he was praying hard while Jason was shooting, to which he replied..."Thanks for joining me...I was praying too!" (As was the chaplain...and (I suspect) even a few "unbelievers"!)
Rugby Induction Camp
Just a quick note to document some of the exciting things going on at the RUPA 2005 Rugby Induction Camp.
I was joined by the chaplain for the ACT Brumbies (David McDonald) and we were invited for the entire two day (plus) camp. Although we were able to take about 10 minutes with the 26 new professional players under contract (to explain the chaplain's role in the scheme of things)…the huge benefit to us was the time spent in individual interaction with the guys…and having them see us as an important part of the support team. Our role was mentioned a number of times during the orientation camp as an important resource…especially by the career advisors!
I met several Christian players (South Pacific Islanders) and connected extremely well with one of the new players for the Waratahs…seated next to him at the formal dinner on the last night.
During the weekend we gave every player a personal copy of the Rugby-Jesus video that we had produced for the Rugby World Cup last year…gave out about 16 (out of 26 players) rugby New Testament Portions (Mark) to those who asked…and 5 rugby New Testaments to those we thought would be most receptive to them.
Dave and I had some prayer together late Friday evening for the new players and those the Lord had really laid on our hearts.
The “investment value” of the weekend was seen day before yesterday when I visited the Waratahs at training and saw the lights (of recognition) go on the eyes of the rookies that had been at the camp.
I was joined by the chaplain for the ACT Brumbies (David McDonald) and we were invited for the entire two day (plus) camp. Although we were able to take about 10 minutes with the 26 new professional players under contract (to explain the chaplain's role in the scheme of things)…the huge benefit to us was the time spent in individual interaction with the guys…and having them see us as an important part of the support team. Our role was mentioned a number of times during the orientation camp as an important resource…especially by the career advisors!
I met several Christian players (South Pacific Islanders) and connected extremely well with one of the new players for the Waratahs…seated next to him at the formal dinner on the last night.
During the weekend we gave every player a personal copy of the Rugby-Jesus video that we had produced for the Rugby World Cup last year…gave out about 16 (out of 26 players) rugby New Testament Portions (Mark) to those who asked…and 5 rugby New Testaments to those we thought would be most receptive to them.
Dave and I had some prayer together late Friday evening for the new players and those the Lord had really laid on our hearts.
The “investment value” of the weekend was seen day before yesterday when I visited the Waratahs at training and saw the lights (of recognition) go on the eyes of the rookies that had been at the camp.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Big Win Against Current # 1
As anticipated...the Kings had a great night against Wollongong with a 10 point win and a great game for Jason. Just felt good about this one from the beginning even though we had lost three of the previous four games and Wollongong is currently number one in the standings. Go figure!
Understandably a great aftergame buzz in the dressing room and willingness to commit to hard work in the next 10 (long) days before our next game against an improving Hunter.
Understandably a great aftergame buzz in the dressing room and willingness to commit to hard work in the next 10 (long) days before our next game against an improving Hunter.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Wollongong Tonight!!! Bring 'em on!
Actually looking forward to the game against the # 1 team tonight as Wollongong visits the Kings in Sydney...and I'm not sure why! Probably because I like being with the team whether we win or lose. Great guys!!!
Injuries to two starters in one game a while back has brought our recent record to three losses in the last four games. But this is where you learn much about a team's character...and about the men who play the game. (Not to mention the chaplain who is learning much about prayers for healing!)
I love Goorj's attitude..."As a coach, I have never been so vulnerable with a team before. This is a big challenge to me...and I love it. Challenge is always an opportunity."
I will be meeting with several players before the game who want to pray as a group...thinking about sharing II Corin. 4:17-18 as an encouragement to persevere and keep perspective. This is an unusual position for the team to be in...and the verse seems appropriate.
Injuries to two starters in one game a while back has brought our recent record to three losses in the last four games. But this is where you learn much about a team's character...and about the men who play the game. (Not to mention the chaplain who is learning much about prayers for healing!)
I love Goorj's attitude..."As a coach, I have never been so vulnerable with a team before. This is a big challenge to me...and I love it. Challenge is always an opportunity."
I will be meeting with several players before the game who want to pray as a group...thinking about sharing II Corin. 4:17-18 as an encouragement to persevere and keep perspective. This is an unusual position for the team to be in...and the verse seems appropriate.
Friday, November 12, 2004
On Tour with the Sydney Kings
Over the last weekend I was able to travel with the Kings (as part of the royal court) on their two game tour to New Zealand and Cairns. Great tour and wanted to capture some of the memories in this blog...
Because of a work conference concluding on Friday, I joined the team in Auckland on Saturday after a pick-up and coffee/chat with the AIA director in New Zealand (Timo Tagaloa). Looks like we may be able to supply a chaplain to the New Zealand Breakers in the near future. The coach will present the idea to his team leaders for their approval. One of the guys on that team (Shaun) is a strong Christian…so things are hopeful.
My first time on the bench (near the very end!) was celebrated with a strong win over the Breakers. I came away hoarse but very excited. Met with AIA staff in New Zealand and a local pastor at the hotel after the team post-game dinner for fellowship. And up early the next day for long trip to Cairns via Brisbane.
Had a great conversation with another passenger on the flight back to Oz about “how to know God personally”. He is a young social worker who was accompanying a younger Samoan friend to a family funeral. Our conversation on “life and death” was very timely. Since his brother happened to know CJ, there was a strong bonding that occurred very quickly. He was not ready at this point to make a commitment to Christ…but does pray regularly and will give this further thought. He asked for my phone number so that we could keep in touch.
What should have been about a six-hour process (flying from Auckland to Cairns) took more like 14 hours, but at least we didn’t have to play that night. Although it is very difficult for a team to win two games back to back on the road, we had a strong finish to win the second game against the Cairns Taipans that put us at the top of the competition ladder at just about 1/3 of the way through the season.
The coach was complimenting everyone on the team…and even looked me in the eye at the post game dinner and said, “You’re doing a good job, Rev. You’re good for the team!” I felt like I had just scored a three-point buzzer-beater to win a game!
More importantly I was able to make some “progress” with each of the guys in regard to their spiritual journey. Hopefully we have added one player to our usual prayer meeting and solidified another one who wants to be more consistent in joining us. Shared journey stories with several players and even had a brief prayer meeting for healing at the request of one of the players. Had a great Bible Study together one morning (4 of us) and got a lot of positive feedback from the other players. We had several “mini-conversations” about different Bible verses that came up during our waits in the airport lounges.
On the way back to Sydney, I was seated next to a woman who asked me about my role with the Kings. When I explained that I was the chaplain, she began asking all the “right questions”. When we were finally able to move off the topic of “church” and starting talking about “relationship with God”, I felt like we really made some headway. I left her with an evangelistic booklet and the promise to ring me if she had any further questions. The bonus in the encounter for me was the fact that one of the players was sitting across the aisle from us and able to “listen in” a bit and comment on the exchange afterwards…and here I thought he was asleep most of the time!
All in all it was a great trip. I bonded closer to the players in four days than in the previous four weeks put together. I realized last year that I’m truly blessed if I have more than one year with a player. A trip like this one can certainly enhance those relationships. It was a good investment for me in time and resourses. I should make it clear that the Kings did not pay for my trip. (If they had that kind of money they would probably take along another physiotherapist instead!)
I also want to publicly thank the men’s group at my home church (Gymea Baptist) for volunteering to help pay a portion of the expenses. Thanks guys!
Because of a work conference concluding on Friday, I joined the team in Auckland on Saturday after a pick-up and coffee/chat with the AIA director in New Zealand (Timo Tagaloa). Looks like we may be able to supply a chaplain to the New Zealand Breakers in the near future. The coach will present the idea to his team leaders for their approval. One of the guys on that team (Shaun) is a strong Christian…so things are hopeful.
My first time on the bench (near the very end!) was celebrated with a strong win over the Breakers. I came away hoarse but very excited. Met with AIA staff in New Zealand and a local pastor at the hotel after the team post-game dinner for fellowship. And up early the next day for long trip to Cairns via Brisbane.
Had a great conversation with another passenger on the flight back to Oz about “how to know God personally”. He is a young social worker who was accompanying a younger Samoan friend to a family funeral. Our conversation on “life and death” was very timely. Since his brother happened to know CJ, there was a strong bonding that occurred very quickly. He was not ready at this point to make a commitment to Christ…but does pray regularly and will give this further thought. He asked for my phone number so that we could keep in touch.
What should have been about a six-hour process (flying from Auckland to Cairns) took more like 14 hours, but at least we didn’t have to play that night. Although it is very difficult for a team to win two games back to back on the road, we had a strong finish to win the second game against the Cairns Taipans that put us at the top of the competition ladder at just about 1/3 of the way through the season.
The coach was complimenting everyone on the team…and even looked me in the eye at the post game dinner and said, “You’re doing a good job, Rev. You’re good for the team!” I felt like I had just scored a three-point buzzer-beater to win a game!
More importantly I was able to make some “progress” with each of the guys in regard to their spiritual journey. Hopefully we have added one player to our usual prayer meeting and solidified another one who wants to be more consistent in joining us. Shared journey stories with several players and even had a brief prayer meeting for healing at the request of one of the players. Had a great Bible Study together one morning (4 of us) and got a lot of positive feedback from the other players. We had several “mini-conversations” about different Bible verses that came up during our waits in the airport lounges.
On the way back to Sydney, I was seated next to a woman who asked me about my role with the Kings. When I explained that I was the chaplain, she began asking all the “right questions”. When we were finally able to move off the topic of “church” and starting talking about “relationship with God”, I felt like we really made some headway. I left her with an evangelistic booklet and the promise to ring me if she had any further questions. The bonus in the encounter for me was the fact that one of the players was sitting across the aisle from us and able to “listen in” a bit and comment on the exchange afterwards…and here I thought he was asleep most of the time!
All in all it was a great trip. I bonded closer to the players in four days than in the previous four weeks put together. I realized last year that I’m truly blessed if I have more than one year with a player. A trip like this one can certainly enhance those relationships. It was a good investment for me in time and resourses. I should make it clear that the Kings did not pay for my trip. (If they had that kind of money they would probably take along another physiotherapist instead!)
I also want to publicly thank the men’s group at my home church (Gymea Baptist) for volunteering to help pay a portion of the expenses. Thanks guys!
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Rescue 2004 Revisited
This report from one of the AIA team members at Rescue 2004 in Italy complements the stories posted yesterday. (Thank you God for Les Sillis and his ministry at Rescue 2004 with the Australian AIA team...and thank you, Les, for the stories.)
"It has always been exciting for me to be involved in short-term mission. My role was easy. All I had to do was turn up and do what comes natural - talk with many people from different parts of the world about my favourite person, my favourite ministry - and to do this with some of my favourite people in all the world (wonderful bonus)! Again I thank you for the opportunity.
Once I had decided to go opportunities presented themselves. I was able to share about the trip and the ministry of AIA to my co-workers the weeks leading up. Once I had boarded the plane in Sydney I was ready for what ever God had planned. On the plane I was able to introduce myself to a female competitor on the same flight. It turned out that we had met about 4 years earlier. She had been the captain of a soccer team that played against one of the mission teams I had toured from America. I was beaming by how her first mention of the team was that they were Christians, they sang and they gave her a book (New Testament) without any mention of the game itself.
A wonderful blessing to catch up with Lisa Fenn at Viareggio, she is the dearest of all sister's. Lisa made a huge impact when she spoke at the second Sunday beach service.
I treasure the moments I get with event officials. Reconnecting with those officials I had already known was awesome. But it was the times I got building a friendship with the starting official that is most memorial. The location of the tent was perfect, central to everyone and everything. Many athletes used this area for shade or just to get away from competition and prepare for their event. I believe they saw the tent as a safe place and were impressed by Terry and Maureen's friendliness and concern for those in spiritual need.
One lady I invited to the beach service I met in a laundrymat, she had come from Australia to support her grandson in competition. Terry and Maureen had met her days before in a local supermarket and had also invited her to the service. Imagine our ecstasy when she came. We were able to involve her in the service by wishing her a happy 77th birthday for the next day.
So many God incidents. We certainly have a wonderful Saviour. There were so many amazing moments."
"It has always been exciting for me to be involved in short-term mission. My role was easy. All I had to do was turn up and do what comes natural - talk with many people from different parts of the world about my favourite person, my favourite ministry - and to do this with some of my favourite people in all the world (wonderful bonus)! Again I thank you for the opportunity.
Once I had decided to go opportunities presented themselves. I was able to share about the trip and the ministry of AIA to my co-workers the weeks leading up. Once I had boarded the plane in Sydney I was ready for what ever God had planned. On the plane I was able to introduce myself to a female competitor on the same flight. It turned out that we had met about 4 years earlier. She had been the captain of a soccer team that played against one of the mission teams I had toured from America. I was beaming by how her first mention of the team was that they were Christians, they sang and they gave her a book (New Testament) without any mention of the game itself.
A wonderful blessing to catch up with Lisa Fenn at Viareggio, she is the dearest of all sister's. Lisa made a huge impact when she spoke at the second Sunday beach service.
I treasure the moments I get with event officials. Reconnecting with those officials I had already known was awesome. But it was the times I got building a friendship with the starting official that is most memorial. The location of the tent was perfect, central to everyone and everything. Many athletes used this area for shade or just to get away from competition and prepare for their event. I believe they saw the tent as a safe place and were impressed by Terry and Maureen's friendliness and concern for those in spiritual need.
One lady I invited to the beach service I met in a laundrymat, she had come from Australia to support her grandson in competition. Terry and Maureen had met her days before in a local supermarket and had also invited her to the service. Imagine our ecstasy when she came. We were able to involve her in the service by wishing her a happy 77th birthday for the next day.
So many God incidents. We certainly have a wonderful Saviour. There were so many amazing moments."
Friday, October 29, 2004
Oz AIA in Italy
Just got a great report in from our small Australian AIA team serving in Italy (for two weeks only!) at the World Surf Life Saving Championships. This is exciting stuff...and the entire document in blessing after blessing...I will opt to edit here for a "briefer" brief. (For the full report click on the Link--in the left-hand column--to my "Semi-Organized Scratchings" blogsite.) Thanks to Terry and Maureen Legg for this report...
"The purpose of the Rescue 2004 event is Life Saving competition and international development planning meetings. Australian Life Saving Chaplaincy--a branch of Athletes in Action Australia was officially approached to provide chaplaincy service during this world championship. The primary focal point of the service was a tent provided by the International Committee right on the beach in the middle of the activity and clearly labeled Chaplain Centre.
The total number of nations at the competition: 35
The number of nations (represented by vistiors) at the Chaplain Centre: 29.
(Including...Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.)
There are 18 contacts to follow up for various reasons. Great Britain, South Africa, Trinidad Tobago, Taiwan, and India are to be followed up about chaplaincy.
From the Chaplain Centre the small team distributed sports/Jesus Film DVD’s, testimonies, tracts, brochures and "Answers to the Big 4 Questions".
E. G. from Uruguay was competing with the Argentinean Team. He came back (to the tent) a number of times. He speaks little English but enough to communicate. He bowed and said ‘I honour you’ (strange). He is going to take information back to the Uruguay conference in November. He wanted to swap for one of our T/Shirts but he didn’t have anything to swap, we gave him one of our new T/shirts anyway and his face just lit up.
We also met an administrator of the Qatar team and sports psychologist.
A guy from Scarborough WA discussed the need for chaplains. His club has had a suicide and another person from WA did the same recently. He is seeing first hand the value of a chaplain.
Another lady D. whose father is a minister was amazed to find a Chaplain at a Life Saving event. She has been judging competitions for a number of years. She stayed on her knees for 20-30 minutes asking questions and details of what we do. Her business with Life Saving keeps her away from church. She was encouraged to make God her focus and return to fellowship.
A young German student M. doing his PhD in Nuclear Science asked what we were about. He listened and took literature. Two other German guys took B4’s. They were very interested but have strong feelings against the organised church.
2 UK tourists had a long discussion. They believe there is a God but have doubts because of the Irish religious groups and what happens in the middle east.
L. from Sth Africa, took literature. We had a lot of encouragement from South Africans. We also have a guy who is interested in the SA Chaplaincy. He and his wife are training hard at the moment for the next Olympic Games 2008.
M. T, Cork Club Ireland was a former atheist, became a Christian, and was attending a church but has drifted away and to get back to God. She took a copy of all the literature.
N. (nicknamed "Sticks", because of his thin legs) came into the tent to have his lunch without sand. Maureen started to chat with him and got around to the gospel. Eventually he received Christ and was eager to tell his girl friend who is a Christian. He is one great guy and fun to be with, we are waiting to hear some good news from him and his girlfriend. He is a beach sprinter, good too, and so happy to have Jesus in his life. Go Sticks."
That's enough for a taste of the Project at least. The actual report is about four times the size of the above.
I should mention however that in addition to the Chaplain Centre Tent Service. Terry was also asked to provide two public Sunrise Services on the beach during the ten days of the competition. Simon Mills (a very popular former Queensland radio personality--musician and comic) paid for his own trip over to assist Terry with the services. I will finish here by adding excerpts from his "unusual" report on that activity.
"It was an absolute blessing to be asked to speak at the event in Italy...The actual event went very well despite the international challenges. By this I do not mean language but culture, for eg, I started with a song (Finally Come Home) and half way through it a guy on a tractor comes right past the front of the speaking area smoothing out the sand for the next beach event and making a rather big racket. He did make the sign of the cross when he drove past me. Hmmm I thought, that has never happened to me before. (He may have mistook me for the Pope.)
Other cultural differences included, “no it is impossible to get electricity to the stage, you will have to bring the piano up here to plug it in". Despite these small challenges it was a wonderful morning and the Italians were very welcoming and most helpful. It is not often you get to stand on a beachfront on a Sunday morning in Italy as the sun comes up (behind you) and speak to people across the beach about how God has blessed your life. Viareggio is a resort town surrounded by mountains. On this Sunday morning I sung songs that echoed along the beach and into those mountains and not many people in the world have had opportunities like that. I am sure there is still plenty of Italians wondering what on earth the loud fat Australian songs were, emanating from the beach into their apartments, but they didn’t seem to mind and the people on the beach responded very well. There was even an interpreter there to try and explain what on earth I was talking about to the non-English speaking people. There were people there from 35 countries so I am sure the Swiss and Polish teams had plenty of trouble with me too but one thing the interpreter, ( A lovely lady called Fedrica) was able to communicate was the closing statement which summed it all up in a Christian/life saving kind of way. Christianity is like swimming, you can explain it to people until you are blue in the face (a little life saving joke there) but until they dive in they have no idea."
Thanks again, Terry and Maureen...and team--Les, Simon, and Lisa. Not just for the report... but for your vision and hard work in touching this event with the Good News. You are special people...and may God continue to grow His kingdom in the Life Saving community worldwide through your pioneering efforts.
"The purpose of the Rescue 2004 event is Life Saving competition and international development planning meetings. Australian Life Saving Chaplaincy--a branch of Athletes in Action Australia was officially approached to provide chaplaincy service during this world championship. The primary focal point of the service was a tent provided by the International Committee right on the beach in the middle of the activity and clearly labeled Chaplain Centre.
The total number of nations at the competition: 35
The number of nations (represented by vistiors) at the Chaplain Centre: 29.
(Including...Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.)
There are 18 contacts to follow up for various reasons. Great Britain, South Africa, Trinidad Tobago, Taiwan, and India are to be followed up about chaplaincy.
From the Chaplain Centre the small team distributed sports/Jesus Film DVD’s, testimonies, tracts, brochures and "Answers to the Big 4 Questions".
E. G. from Uruguay was competing with the Argentinean Team. He came back (to the tent) a number of times. He speaks little English but enough to communicate. He bowed and said ‘I honour you’ (strange). He is going to take information back to the Uruguay conference in November. He wanted to swap for one of our T/Shirts but he didn’t have anything to swap, we gave him one of our new T/shirts anyway and his face just lit up.
We also met an administrator of the Qatar team and sports psychologist.
A guy from Scarborough WA discussed the need for chaplains. His club has had a suicide and another person from WA did the same recently. He is seeing first hand the value of a chaplain.
Another lady D. whose father is a minister was amazed to find a Chaplain at a Life Saving event. She has been judging competitions for a number of years. She stayed on her knees for 20-30 minutes asking questions and details of what we do. Her business with Life Saving keeps her away from church. She was encouraged to make God her focus and return to fellowship.
A young German student M. doing his PhD in Nuclear Science asked what we were about. He listened and took literature. Two other German guys took B4’s. They were very interested but have strong feelings against the organised church.
2 UK tourists had a long discussion. They believe there is a God but have doubts because of the Irish religious groups and what happens in the middle east.
L. from Sth Africa, took literature. We had a lot of encouragement from South Africans. We also have a guy who is interested in the SA Chaplaincy. He and his wife are training hard at the moment for the next Olympic Games 2008.
M. T, Cork Club Ireland was a former atheist, became a Christian, and was attending a church but has drifted away and to get back to God. She took a copy of all the literature.
N. (nicknamed "Sticks", because of his thin legs) came into the tent to have his lunch without sand. Maureen started to chat with him and got around to the gospel. Eventually he received Christ and was eager to tell his girl friend who is a Christian. He is one great guy and fun to be with, we are waiting to hear some good news from him and his girlfriend. He is a beach sprinter, good too, and so happy to have Jesus in his life. Go Sticks."
That's enough for a taste of the Project at least. The actual report is about four times the size of the above.
I should mention however that in addition to the Chaplain Centre Tent Service. Terry was also asked to provide two public Sunrise Services on the beach during the ten days of the competition. Simon Mills (a very popular former Queensland radio personality--musician and comic) paid for his own trip over to assist Terry with the services. I will finish here by adding excerpts from his "unusual" report on that activity.
"It was an absolute blessing to be asked to speak at the event in Italy...The actual event went very well despite the international challenges. By this I do not mean language but culture, for eg, I started with a song (Finally Come Home) and half way through it a guy on a tractor comes right past the front of the speaking area smoothing out the sand for the next beach event and making a rather big racket. He did make the sign of the cross when he drove past me. Hmmm I thought, that has never happened to me before. (He may have mistook me for the Pope.)
Other cultural differences included, “no it is impossible to get electricity to the stage, you will have to bring the piano up here to plug it in". Despite these small challenges it was a wonderful morning and the Italians were very welcoming and most helpful. It is not often you get to stand on a beachfront on a Sunday morning in Italy as the sun comes up (behind you) and speak to people across the beach about how God has blessed your life. Viareggio is a resort town surrounded by mountains. On this Sunday morning I sung songs that echoed along the beach and into those mountains and not many people in the world have had opportunities like that. I am sure there is still plenty of Italians wondering what on earth the loud fat Australian songs were, emanating from the beach into their apartments, but they didn’t seem to mind and the people on the beach responded very well. There was even an interpreter there to try and explain what on earth I was talking about to the non-English speaking people. There were people there from 35 countries so I am sure the Swiss and Polish teams had plenty of trouble with me too but one thing the interpreter, ( A lovely lady called Fedrica) was able to communicate was the closing statement which summed it all up in a Christian/life saving kind of way. Christianity is like swimming, you can explain it to people until you are blue in the face (a little life saving joke there) but until they dive in they have no idea."
Thanks again, Terry and Maureen...and team--Les, Simon, and Lisa. Not just for the report... but for your vision and hard work in touching this event with the Good News. You are special people...and may God continue to grow His kingdom in the Life Saving community worldwide through your pioneering efforts.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Smith Shines Again
"For the second time in four days Sydney Kings guard Jason Smith proved to be NBL rival Melbourne's nemesis with a last-minute match-winning basket.Smith scored a basket with one second remaining to break a 109-109 deadlock, then followed up with a free throw to give the Kings a 112-109 win over the Tigers at the State Netball Centre tonight.Smith scored the winner on Wednesday night in Sydney to help the Kings beat the Tigers by one point."
-Summary credited to Guy Hand
-Summary credited to Guy Hand
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Sydney Kings start trail to the ThreePeat
Great opening home game cliff-hanger for the Kings on Wednesday night.
The only time they lead in the game was the last 8 seconds. At one point the were 27 points down and went into the fourth quarter behind by 20. Jason Smith (captain) was the stalwart but it was a team effort to gradually close the score down to trailing by 2 when Jason got a pass and shot through two defenders to hit a three-pointer at 7. something seconds and then Andrew Gaze got the ball from the baseline and had one chance at a return three-pointer from just beyond the centercourt...and missed!
Celebration was unbelievable--a bit more exciting than the Grand Final???
The only time they lead in the game was the last 8 seconds. At one point the were 27 points down and went into the fourth quarter behind by 20. Jason Smith (captain) was the stalwart but it was a team effort to gradually close the score down to trailing by 2 when Jason got a pass and shot through two defenders to hit a three-pointer at 7. something seconds and then Andrew Gaze got the ball from the baseline and had one chance at a return three-pointer from just beyond the centercourt...and missed!
Celebration was unbelievable--a bit more exciting than the Grand Final???
Opps!!! Ten Days to recover...and catch up?
Been away from the blog keyboard too long...
Moree did sap some energy from this aging body, but as an old mentor of mine used to say...
"Everybody gets tired. But if I'm going to get tired I want it to be from doing God's work."
I included a couple of pictures from the outreach in the posting yesterday.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Final Day in Moreeeeeee (Day Seven)
Actually the final day was Monday...and it's already (almost) Thursday now so I wanted to get this posted even though it will be short...just to get some closure before the next "adventure" which starts in about 10 hours...
Monday in Moree saw perfect weather and a final "touch footie" clinic with about 30 of the kids...most of them now "regulars". I was in charge of "browning the meat" for a sausage sizzle for lunch as a celebration of our time together...topped off with some chocolate cake. There were a number of photos... and expressions of sadness at having to leave our new friends (and new brothers and sisters in Christ). The advantage here was that we left a very loving and capable Salvation Army Corps leader in charge to follow through with the kids.
Our final simple appeal to the kids was to encourage them to ask Jesus to be their special friend and to come into their lives. A number of them indicated that they had done this by raising their hands. I trust we will see them in glory and have some good times together at the sports clinics in the sky.
I thank God for the prayers offered up on our behalf as we sought to serve Him and these little people.
We took time to clean up after ourselves at our hostess' home...including a little yard and garden work...and then drove into the light as far as Armidale to shorten the trip back to Sydney yesterday (Tuesday)...but it was still close to 9 hours on the road by the time I finally arrived home. Beautiful country between Moree and Glouchester...some substantial green and a number of purple and blue wild flowers along the side of the road with some yellow crops that I couldn't identify and innumerable cattle and sheep...even saw a couple of donkeys and goats...and one wallaby standing by the side of the road waiting for us to pass by.
For the next couple of days I will be shifting gears to engage in "intensive" training with the life coaching course that Jan and I are doing by extension with the Australian College of Ministry (ACOM). Have to get an early start into the city for our meeting so will make the post and then sign off.
Monday in Moree saw perfect weather and a final "touch footie" clinic with about 30 of the kids...most of them now "regulars". I was in charge of "browning the meat" for a sausage sizzle for lunch as a celebration of our time together...topped off with some chocolate cake. There were a number of photos... and expressions of sadness at having to leave our new friends (and new brothers and sisters in Christ). The advantage here was that we left a very loving and capable Salvation Army Corps leader in charge to follow through with the kids.
Our final simple appeal to the kids was to encourage them to ask Jesus to be their special friend and to come into their lives. A number of them indicated that they had done this by raising their hands. I trust we will see them in glory and have some good times together at the sports clinics in the sky.
I thank God for the prayers offered up on our behalf as we sought to serve Him and these little people.
We took time to clean up after ourselves at our hostess' home...including a little yard and garden work...and then drove into the light as far as Armidale to shorten the trip back to Sydney yesterday (Tuesday)...but it was still close to 9 hours on the road by the time I finally arrived home. Beautiful country between Moree and Glouchester...some substantial green and a number of purple and blue wild flowers along the side of the road with some yellow crops that I couldn't identify and innumerable cattle and sheep...even saw a couple of donkeys and goats...and one wallaby standing by the side of the road waiting for us to pass by.
For the next couple of days I will be shifting gears to engage in "intensive" training with the life coaching course that Jan and I are doing by extension with the Australian College of Ministry (ACOM). Have to get an early start into the city for our meeting so will make the post and then sign off.
Sunday, October 03, 2004
More on Moreeeeee (Day Six)
I'm beginning to feel the wear and tear on six straight days of morning and evening "mission" with 35-50 kids...lost my "cool" with one of them today that I thought was bullying a couple of others (in retrospect I suspect he was just being selfish rather than malicious). Regardless, I was in the wrong and regretted the action taken with him. To make matters worse, he refused to even talk to me when I attempted to make things right and "reconcile". May have hit me a little harder than him as tonight he was at least a bit civil as we were watching the Rugby League Grand Final on a big screen with the kids. Anyhow...part of the experience I guess. Balanced by a very warm cuddle from one of the seven year old tykes (Emmanuel).
This AM following breakfast at the school on the lawn we walked a couple of hundred metres to the PCYC for our Sunday AM programme which focused on basketball. I have been coaching Junior Basketball with intellectually handicapped kids for almost eight years and I can't remember ever having such a "zoo experience" as this morning. The Salvation Army leader here talked the corps into meeting at the gym for their "service" rather than the "citadel" and just seeing what was going on. About eight of them came in together and hung in there with us for an hour and a bit. One of the older aboriginal men in the corps--who knew most of the kids in the programme--kept saying he couldn't believe how much the kids were listening and responding...and even sitting quietly from time to time in the centre circle of the basketball court. He said he had never seen that with this group and wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it. (After he left was my run-in with one of the older boys.)
Debrief was good over left-overs for lunch. Found out that others were a bit frazzled as well though none yet to my extreme (yet!). We decided that more than five days in a row wasn't necessarily a "no go" zone...but it might be a good idea to roster in a rest day for each member of the team.
Last night was particularly "short" as we ended up eating tea after 9:00 pm (resulting in some indigestion that had me up in the middle of the night) and then someone queried whether or not it was time to lose an hour for daylight savings swap over. We pretty much decided that the kids wouldn't be clued into the time change anyway but just to be sure we should pick them up a half hour earlier than we had said. With our depleted energy resources and at that late hour it took us a good half hour to decide what to do. The next moring when we woke up at 5:30 instead of 6:30 someone had finally nailed down a definitive judgement on the daylight savings issue and as it turned out we were a month (and an hour) ahead of schedule of the changeover. The kids were fine and not influenced in the least by our drama. Several of us were commenting on the fact that we were assuming the kids couldn't be expected to "figure out" daylight savings when in fact there were seven of us well-educated professionals who couldn't seem to get it right! A good example of the blind leading the blind?
After a near panic as we tried to set up the data projector to show the Rugby Grand Final without an aerial to the television set, we did get things underway on time (Thank you Lord!) and everyone seemed to enjoy the night. I was excused by the team to go home early and get a shower (and make this entry in my blog) before the team returned...but they have just arrived so I will close off for an informal debrief on the evening. Only one more AM session to go!
This AM following breakfast at the school on the lawn we walked a couple of hundred metres to the PCYC for our Sunday AM programme which focused on basketball. I have been coaching Junior Basketball with intellectually handicapped kids for almost eight years and I can't remember ever having such a "zoo experience" as this morning. The Salvation Army leader here talked the corps into meeting at the gym for their "service" rather than the "citadel" and just seeing what was going on. About eight of them came in together and hung in there with us for an hour and a bit. One of the older aboriginal men in the corps--who knew most of the kids in the programme--kept saying he couldn't believe how much the kids were listening and responding...and even sitting quietly from time to time in the centre circle of the basketball court. He said he had never seen that with this group and wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it. (After he left was my run-in with one of the older boys.)
Debrief was good over left-overs for lunch. Found out that others were a bit frazzled as well though none yet to my extreme (yet!). We decided that more than five days in a row wasn't necessarily a "no go" zone...but it might be a good idea to roster in a rest day for each member of the team.
Last night was particularly "short" as we ended up eating tea after 9:00 pm (resulting in some indigestion that had me up in the middle of the night) and then someone queried whether or not it was time to lose an hour for daylight savings swap over. We pretty much decided that the kids wouldn't be clued into the time change anyway but just to be sure we should pick them up a half hour earlier than we had said. With our depleted energy resources and at that late hour it took us a good half hour to decide what to do. The next moring when we woke up at 5:30 instead of 6:30 someone had finally nailed down a definitive judgement on the daylight savings issue and as it turned out we were a month (and an hour) ahead of schedule of the changeover. The kids were fine and not influenced in the least by our drama. Several of us were commenting on the fact that we were assuming the kids couldn't be expected to "figure out" daylight savings when in fact there were seven of us well-educated professionals who couldn't seem to get it right! A good example of the blind leading the blind?
After a near panic as we tried to set up the data projector to show the Rugby Grand Final without an aerial to the television set, we did get things underway on time (Thank you Lord!) and everyone seemed to enjoy the night. I was excused by the team to go home early and get a shower (and make this entry in my blog) before the team returned...but they have just arrived so I will close off for an informal debrief on the evening. Only one more AM session to go!
Saturday, October 02, 2004
More on Moreeeee (Day Five)
Friday evening was PCYC free for all. The word must be getting out...we had the largest attendence yet (at over 50)...problem was that the age range expanded too--from 5-12 to 3-18. Just too much of an age difference to keep everyone entertained and busy with games. I didn't have much energy and played a minor role last night but the team did well and several really stepped "up" to make the evening a success.
Saturday was the long-awaited swimming day at the Moree Public Hot Mineral Baths. About 32 kids showed up though the day threatened rain. At least there weren't too many others in the pool when we invaded. Again the team stepped up and did a good job assessing which kids needed to be doing what...and with which coach. I got the "littlies" who loved the "hot pool" and could only just hang on (for dear life) to the cement "railing" around the pool. By the end of the morning most of them were able to let go of the railing and push themselves off the wall into my waiting arms. Somehow the timing got a little off and instead of "swimming" to me, catching their breath, and then returning to the wall...they started leaving off the last step and I was standing there with kids hanging off me like so many barnacles on an old boat. (Loved it!) I particularly enjoyed encouraging the little boys to "take risks" (albeit only a risk in their minds!) and then affirming them when they overcame their fears.
Because the air was a little cold outside of the hot pools, we had our morning Bible session in the corner of the public pool with about 50 other patrons (mostly European travelers there for the spas) hearing the gospel out of the mouths of babes as they shouted out their answers to simple questions. They had no trouble in letting their immediate "world" know that...
God is love...
God loves everyone...
God gives good gifts...
I am taking lessons from these little people. And praying that some of them will come to Jesus both as an immediate result of the outreach...and through the continuing work of the Salvation Army follow-up team.
It was really enjoyable for me to see smiles all around. I fixed nachos for the team as a late afternoon tea and passed over the hot pools Saturday afternoon as we had been in them all morning.
Saturday night back to the PCYC with a few less...back to strict 5-12 age group. I was the ever popular lollybag awards presenter...nice to be so well-liked...though I question the motivations.
Everyone safely home and meeting now with team for debrief and stir-fry. Seems appropriate for how we are starting to feel--stirred and fried. Gotta go!
Saturday was the long-awaited swimming day at the Moree Public Hot Mineral Baths. About 32 kids showed up though the day threatened rain. At least there weren't too many others in the pool when we invaded. Again the team stepped up and did a good job assessing which kids needed to be doing what...and with which coach. I got the "littlies" who loved the "hot pool" and could only just hang on (for dear life) to the cement "railing" around the pool. By the end of the morning most of them were able to let go of the railing and push themselves off the wall into my waiting arms. Somehow the timing got a little off and instead of "swimming" to me, catching their breath, and then returning to the wall...they started leaving off the last step and I was standing there with kids hanging off me like so many barnacles on an old boat. (Loved it!) I particularly enjoyed encouraging the little boys to "take risks" (albeit only a risk in their minds!) and then affirming them when they overcame their fears.
Because the air was a little cold outside of the hot pools, we had our morning Bible session in the corner of the public pool with about 50 other patrons (mostly European travelers there for the spas) hearing the gospel out of the mouths of babes as they shouted out their answers to simple questions. They had no trouble in letting their immediate "world" know that...
God is love...
God loves everyone...
God gives good gifts...
I am taking lessons from these little people. And praying that some of them will come to Jesus both as an immediate result of the outreach...and through the continuing work of the Salvation Army follow-up team.
It was really enjoyable for me to see smiles all around. I fixed nachos for the team as a late afternoon tea and passed over the hot pools Saturday afternoon as we had been in them all morning.
Saturday night back to the PCYC with a few less...back to strict 5-12 age group. I was the ever popular lollybag awards presenter...nice to be so well-liked...though I question the motivations.
Everyone safely home and meeting now with team for debrief and stir-fry. Seems appropriate for how we are starting to feel--stirred and fried. Gotta go!
Friday, October 01, 2004
More on Moreeee (Day Four)
Thursday night at the PCYC gym...had roughly the same group of kids (down to about 30 in number) but a lot more friendly now that they knew us a little better. Played a couple of relay races, bull-rushes (a favorite), Here Comes the Captain...and an unofficial game called "Trying- to- keep- some- of- the- more- cheeky- boys- from- breaking- into- the- kitchen- and- devouring- some- chocolate- cake-that-had-been-left-over-from-the- celebration- of- the millenium-new-year." (Fortunately I did get a piece before we were finally nabbed. Must be something really special to be taken right out of the kitchen of the Police Citizens Youth Club!)
Closed shop at 9 and back to the Headquarters for coffee in about 10 minutes--no traffic in Moree at 9:00 pm.
Into Friday morning with the usual 8:00 am bus pickup of the kids for breakfast. A few new faces but about the same number. This could have been influenced by a torrential downpour at the same time we were picking up the kids. The breakfast crew meanwhile was literally "bailing out" the back up venue of a large covered area in the centre of the school ground. The drains had been located close to a large sandpit and had filled with sand, mud, and leaves. Didn't exactly allow for smooth run-off and the water started creeping up under the shelter consuming more and more of the dry space. It was all hands on deck with brooms and buckets...but was more or less dry (or at least only damp) by the time the kids showed up.
It was really worthwhile when one of the kids from Wednesday walked over to see me (soaking wet down on my knees) digging mud out of the drain. Brodie appeared a little suspicious at first and then looked (way) up at me with a big white grin and pronounced, "Tha's a lil betta!"
After breakfast, we had a great time with games in the shed (instead of softball). Titanic was a big hit and helped tremendously by a number of different size and shape paintings on the (damp) concrete that provided some ready made rescue islands...the coaches served as ferocious "crocs" to make things a little more exciting. Couple of more relays and a "Rob the nest" folllowed by a vigourous game of dodge ball until Tyrique (one of the five year olds) got "beaned"...he was ready for more but fortunately it was time for lunch. Not sure what we will do tonight--running rapidly through our list of games. Possibly indoor cricket...which seems to be in big demand.
Just before lunch we had another "Bible study". Actually, the kids had remembered every word of yesterday's lesson--"God is love." Today's was a little longer--"God loves everyone--and that means you". Great to hear the kids repeating these timeless truths at the top of their lungs.
Spent the last couple of afternoons on the blog after recuperating from the AM in one of the natural hot mineral spring pools around the city. Like a giant hot turbo bath in very comfortable swimming pool type surroundings. A great asset to this outreach!
Closed shop at 9 and back to the Headquarters for coffee in about 10 minutes--no traffic in Moree at 9:00 pm.
Into Friday morning with the usual 8:00 am bus pickup of the kids for breakfast. A few new faces but about the same number. This could have been influenced by a torrential downpour at the same time we were picking up the kids. The breakfast crew meanwhile was literally "bailing out" the back up venue of a large covered area in the centre of the school ground. The drains had been located close to a large sandpit and had filled with sand, mud, and leaves. Didn't exactly allow for smooth run-off and the water started creeping up under the shelter consuming more and more of the dry space. It was all hands on deck with brooms and buckets...but was more or less dry (or at least only damp) by the time the kids showed up.
It was really worthwhile when one of the kids from Wednesday walked over to see me (soaking wet down on my knees) digging mud out of the drain. Brodie appeared a little suspicious at first and then looked (way) up at me with a big white grin and pronounced, "Tha's a lil betta!"
After breakfast, we had a great time with games in the shed (instead of softball). Titanic was a big hit and helped tremendously by a number of different size and shape paintings on the (damp) concrete that provided some ready made rescue islands...the coaches served as ferocious "crocs" to make things a little more exciting. Couple of more relays and a "Rob the nest" folllowed by a vigourous game of dodge ball until Tyrique (one of the five year olds) got "beaned"...he was ready for more but fortunately it was time for lunch. Not sure what we will do tonight--running rapidly through our list of games. Possibly indoor cricket...which seems to be in big demand.
Just before lunch we had another "Bible study". Actually, the kids had remembered every word of yesterday's lesson--"God is love." Today's was a little longer--"God loves everyone--and that means you". Great to hear the kids repeating these timeless truths at the top of their lungs.
Spent the last couple of afternoons on the blog after recuperating from the AM in one of the natural hot mineral spring pools around the city. Like a giant hot turbo bath in very comfortable swimming pool type surroundings. A great asset to this outreach!
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Moree--Day Three...or Moreee?
Since my last post I have enjoyed a BBQ with some of the church and aboriginal leaders here in Moree to do some last minute planning and prayer for the outreach (which began with the kids early Thursday AM).
We had about 15 of us gather under shelter on a back patio under a tin roof as the rain beat down around us. Like most of NSW (and Australia for that matter) they could really use some rain here so it was a blessing but got us wondering about back up plans for the next day if the rain continued. Great food and fellowship together in anticipation for tomorrow. I ended up having a long chat with Alan about his favorite pasttimes of fishing (for yellowbelly) and hunting wild pigs (some up to 200 lbs) with his dogs and a knife. He had a couple of scars to show me!
The sun seems to rise earlier out here and we were all up and about by 6:15...and yes, in spite of our fears the sun did rise with only enough cloud to cool things off (just a bit). Our plan includes picking up the kids in a Salvation Army bus and feeding them a nutricious breakfast before running some drills and then some games...frequent water and "sugar-water" breaks and finish with a short and simple evangelistic talk just before lunch and a return bus ride home. Start time to be approximately 8:30. At that time this morning there were only 3 kids there...but within a half-hour and with the help of the bus we had swelled to more like 35 kids ranging from 3 to 14. It was hot work on the soccer field but the kids seemed to enjoy it.
After lunch on a supervised trip to the school restrooms nearby several of the boys were asking me about God (the main topic of our short "devotional"). Amazing how a six year old can stop you dead in an argument..."if God made everything...who made him?"...followed immediately (and long before I could frame an answer to the first question) by "Where did Jesus come from?" At least I had some help from one of the other kids at that point who argued, "From his mother's belly." I might let him answer any future questions.
Returned the kids to their homes on the bus and looking forward to meeting up with them again for games tonight at the local PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) where we have been given exclusive use of the facility for the next couple of nights. Gotta go help prepare tea first so I will sign off now.
We had about 15 of us gather under shelter on a back patio under a tin roof as the rain beat down around us. Like most of NSW (and Australia for that matter) they could really use some rain here so it was a blessing but got us wondering about back up plans for the next day if the rain continued. Great food and fellowship together in anticipation for tomorrow. I ended up having a long chat with Alan about his favorite pasttimes of fishing (for yellowbelly) and hunting wild pigs (some up to 200 lbs) with his dogs and a knife. He had a couple of scars to show me!
The sun seems to rise earlier out here and we were all up and about by 6:15...and yes, in spite of our fears the sun did rise with only enough cloud to cool things off (just a bit). Our plan includes picking up the kids in a Salvation Army bus and feeding them a nutricious breakfast before running some drills and then some games...frequent water and "sugar-water" breaks and finish with a short and simple evangelistic talk just before lunch and a return bus ride home. Start time to be approximately 8:30. At that time this morning there were only 3 kids there...but within a half-hour and with the help of the bus we had swelled to more like 35 kids ranging from 3 to 14. It was hot work on the soccer field but the kids seemed to enjoy it.
After lunch on a supervised trip to the school restrooms nearby several of the boys were asking me about God (the main topic of our short "devotional"). Amazing how a six year old can stop you dead in an argument..."if God made everything...who made him?"...followed immediately (and long before I could frame an answer to the first question) by "Where did Jesus come from?" At least I had some help from one of the other kids at that point who argued, "From his mother's belly." I might let him answer any future questions.
Returned the kids to their homes on the bus and looking forward to meeting up with them again for games tonight at the local PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) where we have been given exclusive use of the facility for the next couple of nights. Gotta go help prepare tea first so I will sign off now.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Moree Meanderings
I am in "country NSW" up near the Queensland border on the Moree Plains (and I mean "flat") for a week. I have joined with a small team of people from the Salvation Army who are keen to assist their local corps in doing outreach among indigenous people over the school holidays... through evangelistic sports clinics.
It took the entire day on Tuesday just to drive the 500 km through the country to get here. At least I got quite a bit of reading done for my "Life Coaching" extension course. The entire team settled in with the local Salvation Army Leuitenant in a large 4-bedroom house on the south edge of town and began to plan for the four day programme.
Wednesday (so far) has been spent in checking out the venues and purchasing food as we will be providing breakfast and lunch for any of the kids that come along. Tomorrow at least we will start at the playground of the local primary school. We met the Principal this AM and he is very warm to the project and willing to assist in any way possible. Later today we are planning a BBQ with some of the aboriginal and church leaders to pray and plan. We will start work bright and early tommorrow AM.
It took the entire day on Tuesday just to drive the 500 km through the country to get here. At least I got quite a bit of reading done for my "Life Coaching" extension course. The entire team settled in with the local Salvation Army Leuitenant in a large 4-bedroom house on the south edge of town and began to plan for the four day programme.
Wednesday (so far) has been spent in checking out the venues and purchasing food as we will be providing breakfast and lunch for any of the kids that come along. Tomorrow at least we will start at the playground of the local primary school. We met the Principal this AM and he is very warm to the project and willing to assist in any way possible. Later today we are planning a BBQ with some of the aboriginal and church leaders to pray and plan. We will start work bright and early tommorrow AM.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Gabbing in the 'Gong
Had a great time yesterday with one of the guys I'm mentoring--my mate!
We drove down to the 'Gong (Wollongong) several hours before the Sydney Kings’ last pre-season game with the Hawks...stopped to pray first...and then dropped by the home of an injured rugby player that I met a couple of weeks ago...picked him up...and settled in at a local coffee shop nearby for a huge mug of hot chocolate.
My mate did a great job sharing the story of his spiritual journey with the injured player...and then walked him through little booklet entitled "Knowing God Personally". The lights seemed to go on once or twice in the player's eyes, but at the end of the presentation, he didn't feel that he could really "mean it" (if he were to say a prayer of invitation at that time). We answered a couple of the questions that had arisen in the discussion and assured him that he could say that prayer whenever he could really mean it...and he would enter into God's family.
Just to see whether or not he really understood the "mechanics" we were suggesting, I asked him what he would actually do if (or when) he came to a point in his life where he was ready to enter into a relationship with God. His response was simply "get off the throne and ask Jesus to come into my life by saying a prayer like the one in the booklet". My mate and I gave each other a knowing look and realized that we had done all we could do at that point in time.
We chatted a bit more, expressed our availability to the player, dropped him back by his home, and headed off to the game…where the Kings were severely trounced!
Couple of lessons here...
1. Always remember...
"Success in evangelism is simply sharing Christ...in the power of the Spirit...and leaving the results to God." Even though the player wasn't ready to respond to Christ (yet!), we were "successful" because we met the criteria above. (Sometimes the hardest bit of this equation is "to leave the results to God".)
2. A new experience of an old lesson...
Just because you are obedient (and faithful) in sharing the gospel with others…it doesn't mean your team will win their next basketball game!
Anyhow...I was really encouraged by my mate's heart for God and others...and with his rapidly developing skills in communicating spiritual truth.
God is great...God is good!
We drove down to the 'Gong (Wollongong) several hours before the Sydney Kings’ last pre-season game with the Hawks...stopped to pray first...and then dropped by the home of an injured rugby player that I met a couple of weeks ago...picked him up...and settled in at a local coffee shop nearby for a huge mug of hot chocolate.
My mate did a great job sharing the story of his spiritual journey with the injured player...and then walked him through little booklet entitled "Knowing God Personally". The lights seemed to go on once or twice in the player's eyes, but at the end of the presentation, he didn't feel that he could really "mean it" (if he were to say a prayer of invitation at that time). We answered a couple of the questions that had arisen in the discussion and assured him that he could say that prayer whenever he could really mean it...and he would enter into God's family.
Just to see whether or not he really understood the "mechanics" we were suggesting, I asked him what he would actually do if (or when) he came to a point in his life where he was ready to enter into a relationship with God. His response was simply "get off the throne and ask Jesus to come into my life by saying a prayer like the one in the booklet". My mate and I gave each other a knowing look and realized that we had done all we could do at that point in time.
We chatted a bit more, expressed our availability to the player, dropped him back by his home, and headed off to the game…where the Kings were severely trounced!
Couple of lessons here...
1. Always remember...
"Success in evangelism is simply sharing Christ...in the power of the Spirit...and leaving the results to God." Even though the player wasn't ready to respond to Christ (yet!), we were "successful" because we met the criteria above. (Sometimes the hardest bit of this equation is "to leave the results to God".)
2. A new experience of an old lesson...
Just because you are obedient (and faithful) in sharing the gospel with others…it doesn't mean your team will win their next basketball game!
Anyhow...I was really encouraged by my mate's heart for God and others...and with his rapidly developing skills in communicating spiritual truth.
God is great...God is good!
Friday, September 24, 2004
Thoughts on behaviour and values
A friend of mine has asked me to pray that "my faith will dramatically affect my behavior in these next days". In reply to her...and probably gearing in more on the word "behavior"...I had a few thought that I decided to blog as well...
I have been reminded at least five times in the last couple of days that "our behavior is merely a reflection of our values". Rather that trying to motivate others (or even myself) by demanding (or even suggesting!) behavioural change...it would be far more effective and long-lasting to help them make a shift in their values that would drive a change in the way they do things. Values in turn are reinforced by investing time and energy (and other resources) into the things and people we "value" (or want to).
Then again...that ususally involves some kind of behaviour! Getting confusing here (to me at least). Possibly because the two are more closely integrated than we realize. To salvage anything from this mental rambling, I will close off by suggesting that any movement toward behavioural change should factor in some thought on underlying values.
I have been reminded at least five times in the last couple of days that "our behavior is merely a reflection of our values". Rather that trying to motivate others (or even myself) by demanding (or even suggesting!) behavioural change...it would be far more effective and long-lasting to help them make a shift in their values that would drive a change in the way they do things. Values in turn are reinforced by investing time and energy (and other resources) into the things and people we "value" (or want to).
Then again...that ususally involves some kind of behaviour! Getting confusing here (to me at least). Possibly because the two are more closely integrated than we realize. To salvage anything from this mental rambling, I will close off by suggesting that any movement toward behavioural change should factor in some thought on underlying values.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Athens Revisited (Again): Sequel 2
Yeah...I know...long gone and ancient history...but I have just received another report from an eye-witness to God's mighty hand at work during the last Olympics. It was too good not to archive the report "somewhere". Thanks Dave for your ministry there...and for sharing these stories with me...sorry about the edits!
"I have been able to minister to so many athletes and officials in Athens... what a harvest field. I found a lot of athletes with problems, to use as a point of contact...
I enjoyed ministering to South African athletes, Namibians, a Turkish athlete, Estonians,Greek reporters, a Ugandan boxer, Latvian athletes, Nigerian athletes, USA athletes, Russians, a South African swimmer , and also a German discus thrower.
I met up with Glory Alozie (ex Nigeria). She runs for Spain now. She's 5'1" of dynamite. I prayed with her for her races (100 metres hurdles). This young lady flew into Sydney to compete at the 2000 Olympics to find that her childhood sweetheart and fellow athlete had been killed by a car in Sydney a few days before. No one had informed her of the tragedy. She was devastated and for two weeks didn't feel like running, eating or sleeping. With the help of a fellow chaplain, who counselled her, Glory bounced back to win silver medal in the 100 metres hurdles. Since then changed nations when Nigeria refused to fly her fiancé's body back for burial - she had to do that at her own expense. She's gone on to win in many competitions around the world. A truly amazing story of tragedy and victory.
I changed accommodation on one of my free days, and decided to sit and read in the Plaka – a famous shopping area in central Athens. I was minding my own business on a park bench, when three young athletes came and sat next to me. We got talking and I found they were from the water polo team. After telling them that I played water polo in South Africa many years ago, they asked what I was doing in the Olympic Village. Well, that opened a huge door to share Jesus with them.
A few minutes later two Greek men came along handing out Gospel tracts, to me and a young lady who’d sat down at the other end of my bench. I noticed that she was struggling to read it and asked where she was from. She replied in broken English, “Stan-country”. Her husband was the national champion in his sport. I greeted her in Russian and began sharing the Gospel with her. It was so easy as the Holy Spirit opened her heart to Jesus. Then her family arrived and she told them what I’d told her. It was amazing that her first witness was to her family right on the spot. There I was having a rest on a day off, and the Holy Spirit had everything arranged. This never ceases to excite me.
One day there was a deluge of athletes to share with – they just came out of the woodwork – two German wrestlers, two Russian boxers, three South American volley ball players, and several of my old friends from the Sydney 2004 Games who were competing in the 20km walk.
Something beautiful happened as I was walking from the hotel to breakfast at a restaurant across the square. I passed an old man pushing a walking apparatus. He asked me if I'd seen somebody along the way. I answered "No" and walked on, but the Lord quickly impressed me to go back and talk to him. The thought crossed my mind as I walked back to him, "I'm going to be old too, in the not to distant future; don't I want some one to give me special attention?" I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was Greek but visiting from Chicago. He told me his name and his age (87). He looked like he'd been sleeping on a park bench. We spoke about a lot of things, like the Olympics and nutrition, and the inventions he'd made, including one he'd come to introduce to sport in Greece. He said he needed to get to old Olympus about 200 kms away and didn't have enough money. Prior to this the Lord was "telling" me to give him 50 Euro, which I did. He gasped and simply said, "Hi yi yi yi yi". It's been a long time since I heard that expression. He then simply said to me that some people in the last few days, had asked him if "he'd found Christ?" He said to me that he didn't know what that meant, and would I help him to understand that statement. This came right out of the blue as I hadn't shared anything of the Gospel with him. I said to him that it was more that Jesus was seeking him that he was seeking Jesus. I told him that Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost - like the shepherd who left the 99 sheep in the fold and went out to find the one who was lost. He asked me what he had to do to be found. I said, "Just let yourself be found. Tell Jesus that you are lost and ask him to bring you home." I told him how to pray and invite Jesus into his heart. He then that this was the simplest sermon he'd ever heard, and walked off to find a quiet place to "found."
On the way to watch the final of the baseball between Australia and Cuba, I met three Australian girls from Bendigo together with a young Canadian Athletes In Action team member. When he mentioned who he was, I asked the girls how they’d got involved with a Christian athlete, they replied that they’d only just met him and didn’t know who he was. That opened the door for me to ask them where they stood with Jesus. Their hearts were really open to the Lord.
One day I was helping security at the Transport Mall, the entrance to the Olympic Village where the athletes arrive back from events or practice, when a water polo team arrived back from a game. Discussion arose about tactics of their game and they wondered that I knew about the game. Somebody asked, “What else do you do?” I was amazed how this opened opportunities to share spiritual things with them for a few precious minutes. Over the next hour I met up with a water polo champion, the Spanish Physiotherapist, and a basketball player – an powerful young Christian man with Proverbs 3:5-7 tattooed on his arm.
One day while walking near the entrance where the athletes return from their events, a tall young rower arrived back with a wreath on his head, his bunch of flowers and a medal around his neck. I greeted him in Russian and blessed him in the name of the Lord. He whipped around and said back, “That is why I won medal, because He blessed me.” What a great time we had sharing the Lord. Shortly after that a wrestler from a "Stan-country" walked by. I greeted him too in Russian. He came over as we started chatting. He was thrilled the way he was progressing at the Games. He hugged me and asked me to pray for him. He willingly prayed and received Jesus.
In the shopping precinct I met up with a huge man – an Eastern European wrestling coach. I asked him, “Do you remember me from Sydney?” He blinked and a smile broke out across his face. He burst out, “You are the man who prayed in Sydney. You are the man who prayed in Sydney.” That was precious.
While helping with security checks at the International Zone, I was introduced to a young Chinese man whom I found was to be assisting with the administration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He personally asked if I’d apply for the 2008 Games and gave me his official email address. What an amazing God-incidence."
David tells more of his life story and ministry on his website at www.smethurstministries.org
It is well worth linking and praying for this choice servant of the King of kings!
"I have been able to minister to so many athletes and officials in Athens... what a harvest field. I found a lot of athletes with problems, to use as a point of contact...
I enjoyed ministering to South African athletes, Namibians, a Turkish athlete, Estonians,Greek reporters, a Ugandan boxer, Latvian athletes, Nigerian athletes, USA athletes, Russians, a South African swimmer , and also a German discus thrower.
I met up with Glory Alozie (ex Nigeria). She runs for Spain now. She's 5'1" of dynamite. I prayed with her for her races (100 metres hurdles). This young lady flew into Sydney to compete at the 2000 Olympics to find that her childhood sweetheart and fellow athlete had been killed by a car in Sydney a few days before. No one had informed her of the tragedy. She was devastated and for two weeks didn't feel like running, eating or sleeping. With the help of a fellow chaplain, who counselled her, Glory bounced back to win silver medal in the 100 metres hurdles. Since then changed nations when Nigeria refused to fly her fiancé's body back for burial - she had to do that at her own expense. She's gone on to win in many competitions around the world. A truly amazing story of tragedy and victory.
I changed accommodation on one of my free days, and decided to sit and read in the Plaka – a famous shopping area in central Athens. I was minding my own business on a park bench, when three young athletes came and sat next to me. We got talking and I found they were from the water polo team. After telling them that I played water polo in South Africa many years ago, they asked what I was doing in the Olympic Village. Well, that opened a huge door to share Jesus with them.
A few minutes later two Greek men came along handing out Gospel tracts, to me and a young lady who’d sat down at the other end of my bench. I noticed that she was struggling to read it and asked where she was from. She replied in broken English, “Stan-country”. Her husband was the national champion in his sport. I greeted her in Russian and began sharing the Gospel with her. It was so easy as the Holy Spirit opened her heart to Jesus. Then her family arrived and she told them what I’d told her. It was amazing that her first witness was to her family right on the spot. There I was having a rest on a day off, and the Holy Spirit had everything arranged. This never ceases to excite me.
One day there was a deluge of athletes to share with – they just came out of the woodwork – two German wrestlers, two Russian boxers, three South American volley ball players, and several of my old friends from the Sydney 2004 Games who were competing in the 20km walk.
Something beautiful happened as I was walking from the hotel to breakfast at a restaurant across the square. I passed an old man pushing a walking apparatus. He asked me if I'd seen somebody along the way. I answered "No" and walked on, but the Lord quickly impressed me to go back and talk to him. The thought crossed my mind as I walked back to him, "I'm going to be old too, in the not to distant future; don't I want some one to give me special attention?" I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was Greek but visiting from Chicago. He told me his name and his age (87). He looked like he'd been sleeping on a park bench. We spoke about a lot of things, like the Olympics and nutrition, and the inventions he'd made, including one he'd come to introduce to sport in Greece. He said he needed to get to old Olympus about 200 kms away and didn't have enough money. Prior to this the Lord was "telling" me to give him 50 Euro, which I did. He gasped and simply said, "Hi yi yi yi yi". It's been a long time since I heard that expression. He then simply said to me that some people in the last few days, had asked him if "he'd found Christ?" He said to me that he didn't know what that meant, and would I help him to understand that statement. This came right out of the blue as I hadn't shared anything of the Gospel with him. I said to him that it was more that Jesus was seeking him that he was seeking Jesus. I told him that Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost - like the shepherd who left the 99 sheep in the fold and went out to find the one who was lost. He asked me what he had to do to be found. I said, "Just let yourself be found. Tell Jesus that you are lost and ask him to bring you home." I told him how to pray and invite Jesus into his heart. He then that this was the simplest sermon he'd ever heard, and walked off to find a quiet place to "found."
On the way to watch the final of the baseball between Australia and Cuba, I met three Australian girls from Bendigo together with a young Canadian Athletes In Action team member. When he mentioned who he was, I asked the girls how they’d got involved with a Christian athlete, they replied that they’d only just met him and didn’t know who he was. That opened the door for me to ask them where they stood with Jesus. Their hearts were really open to the Lord.
One day I was helping security at the Transport Mall, the entrance to the Olympic Village where the athletes arrive back from events or practice, when a water polo team arrived back from a game. Discussion arose about tactics of their game and they wondered that I knew about the game. Somebody asked, “What else do you do?” I was amazed how this opened opportunities to share spiritual things with them for a few precious minutes. Over the next hour I met up with a water polo champion, the Spanish Physiotherapist, and a basketball player – an powerful young Christian man with Proverbs 3:5-7 tattooed on his arm.
One day while walking near the entrance where the athletes return from their events, a tall young rower arrived back with a wreath on his head, his bunch of flowers and a medal around his neck. I greeted him in Russian and blessed him in the name of the Lord. He whipped around and said back, “That is why I won medal, because He blessed me.” What a great time we had sharing the Lord. Shortly after that a wrestler from a "Stan-country" walked by. I greeted him too in Russian. He came over as we started chatting. He was thrilled the way he was progressing at the Games. He hugged me and asked me to pray for him. He willingly prayed and received Jesus.
In the shopping precinct I met up with a huge man – an Eastern European wrestling coach. I asked him, “Do you remember me from Sydney?” He blinked and a smile broke out across his face. He burst out, “You are the man who prayed in Sydney. You are the man who prayed in Sydney.” That was precious.
While helping with security checks at the International Zone, I was introduced to a young Chinese man whom I found was to be assisting with the administration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He personally asked if I’d apply for the 2008 Games and gave me his official email address. What an amazing God-incidence."
David tells more of his life story and ministry on his website at www.smethurstministries.org
It is well worth linking and praying for this choice servant of the King of kings!
Monday, September 20, 2004
Paralympics Chaplain
For something a little bit different after all the Olympics hype...here's an interview with Stacy James...a chaplain serving in Athens at the Paralympics. Stacy's won 160 gold medals for disabled sport and narrowly missed selection for the US team at these Games.
Interview is courtesy of 2K Plus International Sports Media...Adrian Barnard, Chief Executive Officer and reporter Rich Hallstrom (who himself is disabled and in a wheelchair).
"Stacy James tells her story...I was 19 and a junior in college when I was standing on my friend's shoulders in the shallow end of the pool. I was losing my balance so I dove towards five feet of water but ended up hitting my head on the bottom of three feet and it paralysed me from the neck down. The doctors told my parents I'd never walk again and I just wanted to move
my hands, I couldn't move my hands or my arms. I had a long road ahead of me.
I was just (a student in university) but I knew that my life still had a purpose. I knew that God still had a plan for my life even though my body might be really different and that's the time that my family and friends really came by my side, encouraging me, prayed for me, let me know I was still valuable and important to them. And I knew that I still had a life to live and so I determined to do the best I could in therapy to live my life the best I can and I didn't want my room-mates to take care of me my whole life. So I really did everything I could.
I had to lift weights with my wrists and just lift even one or two pounds on my arms in therapy. And I had also wanted to come on staff with a group called Campus Crusade for Christ, I felt called to full-time Christian ministry, so it was a huge motivating factor to do the best that I could do. And eventually I remember, after a couple of weeks, I was able to move one
of my toes and then after maybe four weeks I was able to move a muscle in my leg and then by the end of four months I was able to barely walk out of there on crutches. And so I was just so thankful for that, all that hard work and stuff, but really the biggest thing was my faith that kept me going, just to have a solid rock when your whole world falls apart.
My relationship with Christ meant everything to me. When it's all you have to hang onto it really means everything and reading my Bible those promises really kept me going, especially the verse "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". I found out that just because you're in a wheelchair it doesn't mean you still can't be active and so through some friends I found out about quad rugby and I started playing quad rugby which was a really fun sport. It used to be called Murder Ball!
Through that I got involved in wheelchair racing and track and field and even though I only have 25% of my upper body strength I'm still able to go around the track and through my injury was able to win medals and since that first time five years ago I've won 160 gold medals in track and field and swimming, weightlifting, and I also do marathons in my hand cycle. I might
finish a little slower than the winners but I love doing it and I've been able to do thirteen across the United States.
And you know it hasn't been an easy road, that was 13 years ago, but I wouldn't change my life for all the great things I've been able to do, the places I've been able to go, people I've been able to meet, but more important the ways that I've grown as a better person using those characteristics I've just shared with you but also learning to be thankful and growing in my relationship with God number one, knowing that my body is just my shell, and the inside of me is what really matters. So I love my life and I really wouldn't trade it for anything. And especially the chance to be here as a chaplain in Greece. I wasn't able to quite make it as a
competitor but I think this is an even better opportunity, to meet people, to reach out, to share my story and to encourage others and especially in the faith that's helped me so much."
God love ya...and bless you Stacy! Thanks 2K Plus for sharing this story with us.
Interview is courtesy of 2K Plus International Sports Media...Adrian Barnard, Chief Executive Officer and reporter Rich Hallstrom (who himself is disabled and in a wheelchair).
"Stacy James tells her story...I was 19 and a junior in college when I was standing on my friend's shoulders in the shallow end of the pool. I was losing my balance so I dove towards five feet of water but ended up hitting my head on the bottom of three feet and it paralysed me from the neck down. The doctors told my parents I'd never walk again and I just wanted to move
my hands, I couldn't move my hands or my arms. I had a long road ahead of me.
I was just (a student in university) but I knew that my life still had a purpose. I knew that God still had a plan for my life even though my body might be really different and that's the time that my family and friends really came by my side, encouraging me, prayed for me, let me know I was still valuable and important to them. And I knew that I still had a life to live and so I determined to do the best I could in therapy to live my life the best I can and I didn't want my room-mates to take care of me my whole life. So I really did everything I could.
I had to lift weights with my wrists and just lift even one or two pounds on my arms in therapy. And I had also wanted to come on staff with a group called Campus Crusade for Christ, I felt called to full-time Christian ministry, so it was a huge motivating factor to do the best that I could do. And eventually I remember, after a couple of weeks, I was able to move one
of my toes and then after maybe four weeks I was able to move a muscle in my leg and then by the end of four months I was able to barely walk out of there on crutches. And so I was just so thankful for that, all that hard work and stuff, but really the biggest thing was my faith that kept me going, just to have a solid rock when your whole world falls apart.
My relationship with Christ meant everything to me. When it's all you have to hang onto it really means everything and reading my Bible those promises really kept me going, especially the verse "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". I found out that just because you're in a wheelchair it doesn't mean you still can't be active and so through some friends I found out about quad rugby and I started playing quad rugby which was a really fun sport. It used to be called Murder Ball!
Through that I got involved in wheelchair racing and track and field and even though I only have 25% of my upper body strength I'm still able to go around the track and through my injury was able to win medals and since that first time five years ago I've won 160 gold medals in track and field and swimming, weightlifting, and I also do marathons in my hand cycle. I might
finish a little slower than the winners but I love doing it and I've been able to do thirteen across the United States.
And you know it hasn't been an easy road, that was 13 years ago, but I wouldn't change my life for all the great things I've been able to do, the places I've been able to go, people I've been able to meet, but more important the ways that I've grown as a better person using those characteristics I've just shared with you but also learning to be thankful and growing in my relationship with God number one, knowing that my body is just my shell, and the inside of me is what really matters. So I love my life and I really wouldn't trade it for anything. And especially the chance to be here as a chaplain in Greece. I wasn't able to quite make it as a
competitor but I think this is an even better opportunity, to meet people, to reach out, to share my story and to encourage others and especially in the faith that's helped me so much."
God love ya...and bless you Stacy! Thanks 2K Plus for sharing this story with us.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Athens Revisited: The Sequel
One ministry report (from Judy) spawned yet another personal report from an onsite worker for me to add to the blog as a semi-permanent record...thanks Ray! (Sorry about the editing.)
This is a long collection of stories but gives a good idea of what was going on...multiply this report by 50 to get an idea of AIA activity alone...and there were many other Christians working just as hard in this unique harvest field!
"From the moment I boarded the airplane to fly to Athens, I had a sense that God was divinely directing my steps. One my first flight, I met a stewardess who was reading the book, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" which led to a great discussion about the "DaVinci Code" heresies. We ended up having a long discussion on science and faith after which she said that she had a church background, but was "starting life over looking for the spiritual." She then introduced me to another passenger who was reading the same book. He turned out to be the husband on one of the women on USA Women's Soccer match. We had a great discussion about the spiritual dimension of sports (and parenting!)...
Then, in London, getting ready to board the next plane, an entire Caribbean Island Olympic team came into the lounge and I met one of the boxers. He said, "In my training, I must prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually!" He was looking for someplace to worship in the Olympic Village and took my business card with one of the AIA chaplain's info on it...plus an athletic gospel tract that I had in my bag.
In our first day of "scouting out" various Olympic venues, we discovered that you needed to buy tickets to get in at all, so we purchased tickets to the gymnastics practice session. There, through a series of events, we were able to give Jesus DVDs to the parents of an Olympian, an Eastern European gymnast, and the sister of two women on a Western European Sailing Team.
On the second day of scouting, we had the assignment of going to the Acropolis where we met several officials from various National Olympic Committees. Two of them from Caribbean Island teams were glad to receive DVDs and asked that we contact them in the future. We also met a European Photographer who was personal friends with two Track athletes, so we gave him two DVDs. Then, on the Metro, we met two ladies who were girlfriends of guys on the Canadian Baseball team and they took DVDs to give to the players.
The Metro continued to be a "divine appointment" place as we met a girl on one of the fencing teams. She told us that she and her three other teammates always tried to find a Church to go to where ever they competed and she was happy to accept DVDs for all of them.
At the bicycle road race on the first day of competition, we handed DVDs to a former Olympian in the 5000m who had an Achilles heel injury, an American coaching basketball for another country, a man who knew three or four of the cyclists from his country, a Physio Therapist from one of the Men's Soccer teams, a sports doctor from an Asian country who worked with Olympians in various sports, and two DVDs to a European Swimming Delegation leader.
Getting free tickets to the Women's Gymnastics preliminaries allowed us to give five DVDs to a team manager from Africa who was just watching, DVDs to two Asian male gymnasts, five DVDs to members of a European Gymnastics team, and two DVDs to a swim coach and a masseur from another European team.
The Metro again proved to be a divine meeting place as we met the club team manager for a swimmer from Europe in the breastroke whom we later found out may be a Christian, and a swim coach from the same country. We gave DVDs to each of them and one for the athlete. Later that evening, on the way to the US Basketball teams defeat against Puerto Rico, we gave Greek Four Laws to two girls who wanted to go to Hollywood when they found out I was from Los Angeles, and I was able to give a DVD to a woman on the French NOC who appeared to be from an African country.
It seemed that every step our feet took was blessed. One the day that we had a radio correspondent with us, we were able to give "Just Believe It" CDs to a Russian Army officer who had been stationed with the UN Mission in Kosovo, and a former US Olympian from 1980. We met two Australian baseball players on their Olympic team who also played in the Minor League systems here in the US. We were able to get their responses to the question, "What has motivated you to achieve this level of competition", on tape, as well as our presentation of seven DVDs for them and their teammates. Later that same day, we gave DVDs to a Eurpoean lightweight boxer, an Asian archery coach whose star athlete won a medal, and a women swimmer who needed directions in the Metro station.
Even on our day off, taking a ferry to the island of Aginas, God had some divine appointments for us. I was able to share some key biblical thoughts a lady from the Philippines who had won accommodations and tickets in Athens. She had been a Sunday School director in the Philippines but had gotten off the track. She had recently prayed, "God if you want me, come and get me." I was the third person to talk to her about spiritual things in the last two months! In addition, on the trip back to the mainland we made friends with two Greek guys who hardly spoke English, but were very enthusiastic about American girls and the USA vs. Greece basketball game on the TV. We gave them Greek (gospel booklet) to read, and they eagerly looked them over. Next, we met a woman from a European Gymnastics team who had not qualified for the Olympics, but was on track for the Beijing 2008 Games. She, her mom, and sister, were very friendly and gladly accepted a DVD as we docked.
During the trip, Vital, our staff member from an African country, confided in me that this had been his first trip outside of Africa. He had never been on a ship as big as the Ferry, nor had he ever swam in salt water! Standing on the end of the harbor's peninsula under the light pole, he exclaimed, "I am from a poor family in a poor country, and here I am in Europe on a Greek island at the Olympics! God is GREAT." Shouting out into the crashing surf. The next day, we were invited into the Olympic Village to meet with the delegation from his country. He was able to introduce himself and explain our vision to the head woman of the delegation, their track coach, and the doctor of the team. He was able to meet each of his country's Olympians establishing himself as a spiritual resource for years to come."
Great report...glory to God!
This is a long collection of stories but gives a good idea of what was going on...multiply this report by 50 to get an idea of AIA activity alone...and there were many other Christians working just as hard in this unique harvest field!
"From the moment I boarded the airplane to fly to Athens, I had a sense that God was divinely directing my steps. One my first flight, I met a stewardess who was reading the book, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" which led to a great discussion about the "DaVinci Code" heresies. We ended up having a long discussion on science and faith after which she said that she had a church background, but was "starting life over looking for the spiritual." She then introduced me to another passenger who was reading the same book. He turned out to be the husband on one of the women on USA Women's Soccer match. We had a great discussion about the spiritual dimension of sports (and parenting!)...
Then, in London, getting ready to board the next plane, an entire Caribbean Island Olympic team came into the lounge and I met one of the boxers. He said, "In my training, I must prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually!" He was looking for someplace to worship in the Olympic Village and took my business card with one of the AIA chaplain's info on it...plus an athletic gospel tract that I had in my bag.
In our first day of "scouting out" various Olympic venues, we discovered that you needed to buy tickets to get in at all, so we purchased tickets to the gymnastics practice session. There, through a series of events, we were able to give Jesus DVDs to the parents of an Olympian, an Eastern European gymnast, and the sister of two women on a Western European Sailing Team.
On the second day of scouting, we had the assignment of going to the Acropolis where we met several officials from various National Olympic Committees. Two of them from Caribbean Island teams were glad to receive DVDs and asked that we contact them in the future. We also met a European Photographer who was personal friends with two Track athletes, so we gave him two DVDs. Then, on the Metro, we met two ladies who were girlfriends of guys on the Canadian Baseball team and they took DVDs to give to the players.
The Metro continued to be a "divine appointment" place as we met a girl on one of the fencing teams. She told us that she and her three other teammates always tried to find a Church to go to where ever they competed and she was happy to accept DVDs for all of them.
At the bicycle road race on the first day of competition, we handed DVDs to a former Olympian in the 5000m who had an Achilles heel injury, an American coaching basketball for another country, a man who knew three or four of the cyclists from his country, a Physio Therapist from one of the Men's Soccer teams, a sports doctor from an Asian country who worked with Olympians in various sports, and two DVDs to a European Swimming Delegation leader.
Getting free tickets to the Women's Gymnastics preliminaries allowed us to give five DVDs to a team manager from Africa who was just watching, DVDs to two Asian male gymnasts, five DVDs to members of a European Gymnastics team, and two DVDs to a swim coach and a masseur from another European team.
The Metro again proved to be a divine meeting place as we met the club team manager for a swimmer from Europe in the breastroke whom we later found out may be a Christian, and a swim coach from the same country. We gave DVDs to each of them and one for the athlete. Later that evening, on the way to the US Basketball teams defeat against Puerto Rico, we gave Greek Four Laws to two girls who wanted to go to Hollywood when they found out I was from Los Angeles, and I was able to give a DVD to a woman on the French NOC who appeared to be from an African country.
It seemed that every step our feet took was blessed. One the day that we had a radio correspondent with us, we were able to give "Just Believe It" CDs to a Russian Army officer who had been stationed with the UN Mission in Kosovo, and a former US Olympian from 1980. We met two Australian baseball players on their Olympic team who also played in the Minor League systems here in the US. We were able to get their responses to the question, "What has motivated you to achieve this level of competition", on tape, as well as our presentation of seven DVDs for them and their teammates. Later that same day, we gave DVDs to a Eurpoean lightweight boxer, an Asian archery coach whose star athlete won a medal, and a women swimmer who needed directions in the Metro station.
Even on our day off, taking a ferry to the island of Aginas, God had some divine appointments for us. I was able to share some key biblical thoughts a lady from the Philippines who had won accommodations and tickets in Athens. She had been a Sunday School director in the Philippines but had gotten off the track. She had recently prayed, "God if you want me, come and get me." I was the third person to talk to her about spiritual things in the last two months! In addition, on the trip back to the mainland we made friends with two Greek guys who hardly spoke English, but were very enthusiastic about American girls and the USA vs. Greece basketball game on the TV. We gave them Greek (gospel booklet) to read, and they eagerly looked them over. Next, we met a woman from a European Gymnastics team who had not qualified for the Olympics, but was on track for the Beijing 2008 Games. She, her mom, and sister, were very friendly and gladly accepted a DVD as we docked.
During the trip, Vital, our staff member from an African country, confided in me that this had been his first trip outside of Africa. He had never been on a ship as big as the Ferry, nor had he ever swam in salt water! Standing on the end of the harbor's peninsula under the light pole, he exclaimed, "I am from a poor family in a poor country, and here I am in Europe on a Greek island at the Olympics! God is GREAT." Shouting out into the crashing surf. The next day, we were invited into the Olympic Village to meet with the delegation from his country. He was able to introduce himself and explain our vision to the head woman of the delegation, their track coach, and the doctor of the team. He was able to meet each of his country's Olympians establishing himself as a spiritual resource for years to come."
Great report...glory to God!
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Athens Revisited
One of the "after-action" reports from someone onsite at Athens...thanks Judy!
"On August 7, 2004, 20-year-old Eleni Ioamou, a member of Greece’s Olympic judo team, jumped from the balcony of her 3rd floor apartment in Athens. It was the result of an argument with her live-in boyfriend. Six days later, instead of marching into the stadium for the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, she lay in the hospital in critical condition. Before the Games ended, Eleni had died.
Even the greatest achievements – such as competing in the Olympic Games – cannot eliminate the pain and emptiness that often exists in the hearts of elite athletes. This incident was a wake-up call for 50 of our Athletes in Action staff from 24 countries – who had come to Athens to minister to the spiritual needs of the 11,090 Olympic athletes. Nine of our staff were selected to serve as official chaplains in the Olympic Village. The other 41 staff trusted God to provide them with day passes to access the Village, or for “divine appointments” in the streets and squares of Athens.
And God did not disappoint. Divine appointments occurred daily. Before our project had ended we had given copies of an Olympic version of the Jesus Film (DVD format, in 18 languages) to 2,000 of the Olympic athletes. Another 500 -1000 copies would not have been too many. "
"On August 7, 2004, 20-year-old Eleni Ioamou, a member of Greece’s Olympic judo team, jumped from the balcony of her 3rd floor apartment in Athens. It was the result of an argument with her live-in boyfriend. Six days later, instead of marching into the stadium for the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, she lay in the hospital in critical condition. Before the Games ended, Eleni had died.
Even the greatest achievements – such as competing in the Olympic Games – cannot eliminate the pain and emptiness that often exists in the hearts of elite athletes. This incident was a wake-up call for 50 of our Athletes in Action staff from 24 countries – who had come to Athens to minister to the spiritual needs of the 11,090 Olympic athletes. Nine of our staff were selected to serve as official chaplains in the Olympic Village. The other 41 staff trusted God to provide them with day passes to access the Village, or for “divine appointments” in the streets and squares of Athens.
And God did not disappoint. Divine appointments occurred daily. Before our project had ended we had given copies of an Olympic version of the Jesus Film (DVD format, in 18 languages) to 2,000 of the Olympic athletes. Another 500 -1000 copies would not have been too many. "
Monday, September 13, 2004
Input at Eastwood Baptist
I had a great time with my wife at Eastwood Baptist Church last night speaking on "A Christian Perspective on Sex". Good response for those gathered...though it went way too long with an extensive (exhaustive) Q and A. (sorry guys!) At least that portion of the evening was "optional", so I trust if anyone got really bored they were able to just get up and go home!
Anyhow, if you were at Eastwood and you're looking here for the resources I promised you...you're halfway there. Now you only need to click on the link in the sidebar on the left entitled "Semi-Organized Scratchings". If you want to make a hardcopy, you will probably need to "cut and paste" to your own document and then print...but think of all the time and effort (and postage) we saved by going to electronic mail.
Anyhow, if you were at Eastwood and you're looking here for the resources I promised you...you're halfway there. Now you only need to click on the link in the sidebar on the left entitled "Semi-Organized Scratchings". If you want to make a hardcopy, you will probably need to "cut and paste" to your own document and then print...but think of all the time and effort (and postage) we saved by going to electronic mail.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
A word from the Word
Details are important.
??? Do others get even a glimpse of Jesus in me ???
"Our work as God's servants gets validated -- or not -- in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all."
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-11 (Msg)
??? Do others get even a glimpse of Jesus in me ???
"Our work as God's servants gets validated -- or not -- in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all."
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-11 (Msg)
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Good on ya, Gov!
Governor-General Says Jesus is the Greatest Leader Ever
Interesting story by David Adams in Sight... www.sightmagazine.com.au
Australia’s Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, has told a meeting of business figures this week that Jesus Christ was the “greatest personification of true leadership the world has ever seen or ever will see”.With Jesus already capturing headlines across the country thanks to his depiction in the Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the Christ, Major-General Jeffery told a gathering of business in Perth that Jesus continued to inspire people across the world.“By demonstrating supreme moral and physical courage, he embodied a universal wisdom and creed that has transcended time, place, culture and language, such that his example continues to inspire many, many hundreds of millions of people, indeed billions, around the world today,” he was reported as saying.
Great example of someone using his "platform" to boldly lift up the King of Kings!
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Welcome to Sight readers...
It appears that the Athens stories (presented here) have attracted some attention in the worldwide web. Sight magazine has linked to Speckman's Scratchings...and any readers are welcome and encouraged to comment.
At this time, most of the blog (including archives from 13 August to present) is focused on Christian presence and activity at Athens, but in the true spirit of a blog, (from now on) it will take on more of the flavour identified in the byline..."mental ramblings". What a great media for getting thoughts into words and inviting others to journey together for a few paces along the trail?
Until I can figure out how to put a link in a side column (I'm still new to this)...I will link to Sight Magazine here...scratch...scratch!
www.sightmagazine.com.au
At this time, most of the blog (including archives from 13 August to present) is focused on Christian presence and activity at Athens, but in the true spirit of a blog, (from now on) it will take on more of the flavour identified in the byline..."mental ramblings". What a great media for getting thoughts into words and inviting others to journey together for a few paces along the trail?
Until I can figure out how to put a link in a side column (I'm still new to this)...I will link to Sight Magazine here...scratch...scratch!
www.sightmagazine.com.au
Thursday, September 02, 2004
The Return of the Olympians
I thoroughly enjoyed catching up yesterday with one of our returning Australian Olympians.
He assured me that in spite of the tremendous thrill of the opening and closing ceremonies...and the privilege of playing for his country...one of his most exciting highlights of the entire time was a Bible tour of Corinth! So how often would you hear a statement like that in our media coverage of the games?
He also read my blog frequently and made contact with several of the other Christians that I mentioned in my daily report.
He assured me that in spite of the tremendous thrill of the opening and closing ceremonies...and the privilege of playing for his country...one of his most exciting highlights of the entire time was a Bible tour of Corinth! So how often would you hear a statement like that in our media coverage of the games?
He also read my blog frequently and made contact with several of the other Christians that I mentioned in my daily report.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Post Olympic Stress Disorder
Going through withdrawal after watching a delayed broadcast of the closing ceremony.
Beijing looks inviting! I must be hooked.
Beijing looks inviting! I must be hooked.
...and the final "more" on Athens!
Well it's all over but the memories (and spectacular "vision" of courageous people pursuing their dreams)! This will be my final (planned) entry regarding the Christian presence at the Games of the 28th Olympiad. I thought it fitting to finish off with some comments from chaplains and athletes stories of their adventures after the "job" was done. How did some of them celebrate immediately prior to the Closing Ceremony?
I sounded like the highlight for some was a side trip to Corinth...(thanks for the report Stuart and the first hand assessment Jason)
"On Wednesday, I also had the privilege of taking part in a tour going down to Corinth and taking some of the athletes. We had a Greek guide who is also an evangelical rather than Greek Orthodox and who knows his bible very well. Having studied 1 & 2 Corinthians in quite some depth in the past, it was great to actually see something of where Paul lived and ministered for 18 months. Kostas, our guide, was a goldmine of information on the background to Paul's letters and Luke's account of his time there in Acts. I came away with pieces of information that I have not read about anywhere else. The athletes were blown away by the whole day - it was really a 5 hour bible study as we went from place to place on the archaeological diggings and opened up the bible to read relevant parts. It was a long and exhausting day but definitely well worth it.
One of the Australian Olympians commented…
"Let me tell you, the guide was a strong Christian with unbelievable historical knowledge. He made the experience so unbelievable it is hard to describe. Definitely feels better than losing a game at the Olympics anyway! I had one of those life experiences you seldom get. Something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was also able to spend it with about 100 other sporting ministry people from all over the world as well as a New Zealand Olympian I have become very close with. We have bonded closely mainly because of our similarities in our love for Christ and basketball being a passion."
I sounded like the highlight for some was a side trip to Corinth...(thanks for the report Stuart and the first hand assessment Jason)
"On Wednesday, I also had the privilege of taking part in a tour going down to Corinth and taking some of the athletes. We had a Greek guide who is also an evangelical rather than Greek Orthodox and who knows his bible very well. Having studied 1 & 2 Corinthians in quite some depth in the past, it was great to actually see something of where Paul lived and ministered for 18 months. Kostas, our guide, was a goldmine of information on the background to Paul's letters and Luke's account of his time there in Acts. I came away with pieces of information that I have not read about anywhere else. The athletes were blown away by the whole day - it was really a 5 hour bible study as we went from place to place on the archaeological diggings and opened up the bible to read relevant parts. It was a long and exhausting day but definitely well worth it.
One of the Australian Olympians commented…
"Let me tell you, the guide was a strong Christian with unbelievable historical knowledge. He made the experience so unbelievable it is hard to describe. Definitely feels better than losing a game at the Olympics anyway! I had one of those life experiences you seldom get. Something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was also able to spend it with about 100 other sporting ministry people from all over the world as well as a New Zealand Olympian I have become very close with. We have bonded closely mainly because of our similarities in our love for Christ and basketball being a passion."
In one for the personal comments I received on my blog, a good friend reminded me of the importance of praying for the athletes as they return to "normal life". A good reminder. Sometimes the lowest of "lows" follow the highest of "highs"...and sometimes the experience itself has been the lowest of "lows". My prayer is that the experience--postitive or negative might bring each Olympian a few steps closer to Him in their relationship with Jesus.
If so, it will be more than worthwhile...
If not, I am reminded of the words of Jesus (slightly paraphrased to match the occasion)...
"What value and benefit is there in winning a gold medal (or several) if a man or woman loses their soul?"
Monday, August 30, 2004
...and more on chaplaincy at Athens...
Back (deep) inside the Athlete's Village...a few words and thoughts from those official chaplains who ministered to the athletes through the RSC (Religious Services Centre)...
"But, with all this talk of watching events, do not think that chaplaincy ministry within the Village has been neglected. We have seen the value of having a truly international set of chaplains who have sports chaplaincy experience and contacts with the various national delegations and teams. Although the Religious Services Centre is where we're based, it is definitely not the centre of the ministry action. Most chaplains come into the RSC to check in and then are rarely seen again. Just as with our Aussie/Kiwi bible study group, there have been bible study groups, prayer meetings, services etc... - regular and one-off - held all over the village at different times and in different languages. While these are now beginning to wind up as athletes either go home or disappear on sightseeing trips, we are still finding Christians who have not realised that the RSC exists. A number of the athletes that we have ministered to come from countries where they have little Christian fellowship and / or are persecuted for their faith. Please pray for them. Often chaplaincy at major sporting events is one of very few opportunities that they get for fellowship and teaching. For example, one athlete from a mainly Muslim nation is the only Christian on his team. He is the only Christian he knows in his town and he has to go a long way to get to church. He related the story that when he became a Christian, his father took an axe and got ready to kill him unless he would renounce Christ. Thankfully, his father found he could not go through with his threat. "
As the Games wind down there are a few important things to remember and pray about...I was reminded of this is a short press release...
"Athens, August 27 - Pressure is mounting on Olympic athletes. Those who fail to win a medal often drop into an "inner void" according to an accredited counselor in the Olympic Village.
Because they believe that their four-year intensive preparation has been in vain, athletes seek understanding and consolation from Christian counselors. They are not part of the Olympic team or trainers and other officials.
(The counselor) was mostly in contact with (Eurpoean) swimmers. Their disappointing performance was criticized heavily in the press thus aggravating the situation for the athletes. Though open evangelism is out of bounds in the Olympic village, many sportsmen and women attended worship services. Approximately 100 athletes took part in the Sunday services for one non-English language group alone. During one of these services a European badminton player was baptised."
"But, with all this talk of watching events, do not think that chaplaincy ministry within the Village has been neglected. We have seen the value of having a truly international set of chaplains who have sports chaplaincy experience and contacts with the various national delegations and teams. Although the Religious Services Centre is where we're based, it is definitely not the centre of the ministry action. Most chaplains come into the RSC to check in and then are rarely seen again. Just as with our Aussie/Kiwi bible study group, there have been bible study groups, prayer meetings, services etc... - regular and one-off - held all over the village at different times and in different languages. While these are now beginning to wind up as athletes either go home or disappear on sightseeing trips, we are still finding Christians who have not realised that the RSC exists. A number of the athletes that we have ministered to come from countries where they have little Christian fellowship and / or are persecuted for their faith. Please pray for them. Often chaplaincy at major sporting events is one of very few opportunities that they get for fellowship and teaching. For example, one athlete from a mainly Muslim nation is the only Christian on his team. He is the only Christian he knows in his town and he has to go a long way to get to church. He related the story that when he became a Christian, his father took an axe and got ready to kill him unless he would renounce Christ. Thankfully, his father found he could not go through with his threat. "
As the Games wind down there are a few important things to remember and pray about...I was reminded of this is a short press release...
"Athens, August 27 - Pressure is mounting on Olympic athletes. Those who fail to win a medal often drop into an "inner void" according to an accredited counselor in the Olympic Village.
Because they believe that their four-year intensive preparation has been in vain, athletes seek understanding and consolation from Christian counselors. They are not part of the Olympic team or trainers and other officials.
(The counselor) was mostly in contact with (Eurpoean) swimmers. Their disappointing performance was criticized heavily in the press thus aggravating the situation for the athletes. Though open evangelism is out of bounds in the Olympic village, many sportsmen and women attended worship services. Approximately 100 athletes took part in the Sunday services for one non-English language group alone. During one of these services a European badminton player was baptised."
Yes...I do have more tomorrow even though the Closing Ceremony is now concluded.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
...more Fusion Festival stories...
I am so excited about what the Lord is doing in outreach beyond Athens...to other communities in Greece...that I wanted to revisit some of those places on this verbal journey.
"Fusion was invited by local Churches to work in 3 of the Olympic cities outside Athens. It was their first attempt at a Festival and took place when the soccer began 2 nights before the official opening ceremony. A team travelled to Iraklion, Crete where over 1000 people came to a Festival that was run by two Churches working together in the main square of the
city. The Festival was filmed by a Crete TV station and the local people greatly appreciated what Fusion was able to offer their community. One believer commented as he watched the Festival he believed that this was the most effective way he had ever seen to make contact with Greek people.
In Volos, large crowds turned out for a festival on the waterfront in front of a number of local taverns. One of the local pastors, working in conjunction with the local council and the local Orthodox Bishop commented that he couldn't believe how simple and effective Festivals were. It provided an ideal atmosphere where they could distribute New Testaments to
people who asked for them and they were able to give out more than they ever had before. A local Greek Orthodox priest, when asked by one of his Church members if they should take one, commented that he was going to take one and they should also do that and be reading their Bibles.
At Thessaloniki 500 people came to a Festival at Kalamaria where local Christians worked in co-operation with the Fusion team on the waterfront. When the locals were asked if they would like to see this happen more often, there was an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Many were disappointed that we were not coming back the next day and throughout the evening there were many significant conversations about faith.
Churches across Athens hosted 3 Opening Night Festivals. All had stages and promotion provided by the local councils and all were enthusiastically received by both the council and the local people. Festivals began at 6pm and drew large crowds till 8.45 pm when the Opening Ceremony began.
At Marousi, less than 2 kms from the Olympic Stadium, 1200 people attended a Festival in a perfect setting in an open area near the train station. Music and dance was provided by the Creative Arts team with artists from across the world. The council was delighted by the success of the evening and Fusion was given the opportunity to return again the following week to run 2 Festivals before the giant "Light the World Parade" where the Council
blocked off the street so the celebration could proceed unhindered. Restaurants were so delighted by what they saw that they provided free meals for some of the team.
At Ilion Park, the largest park in Athens, the local Church was uncertain about how many would come. They would have been delighted with 100 so when 800 people came to be part of the celebration they could hardly contain their joy! The local Church is still coming to terms with the impact that they can have in the community as they work together with the council. The Deputy Mayor has asked them to run another Festival as soon as they can!
At Rafina, the Church running this Festival couldn't believe both how may people turned up (over 1500) and how easy it was to find a way to connect with people. Many of the team were invited home for a meal; many discussions were had about faith and people wanted to connect further. From the stage the MC spoke about young people needing purpose and community and it received wholehearted support. There is a clear sense that the closeness of the local community was splintering and what we were offering was a way to reverse this trend.
Since Opening Night Festivals the team have been running Festivals across Athens. They helped begin a massive celebration in the heart of the city, Omonia Square, where they worked with local Churches on the "Tribute to the Unknown God". 5000 people came to this event, a first event on this scale run by the Churches in Athens. Amazingly, it had the full support of the Mayor of Athens and the Olympic authorities who used the event as the start
of the Olympic cultural program.
In the relaxed and welcoming setting of Festivals there have been many opportunities for the team to share their faith and talk to local people about how to join God's family in a new way. Many by simply turning up night after night at the Festivals are finding a home amongst the team. Some are returning with other family members. The team is growing! There are
conversations on buses, in trains and restaurants. Others just ask can they meet to talk further."
Most of my on-site sources have left Athens by now and are on their way home. However, I will still have a few stories to add tomorrow...and some wrap-up thoughts.
"Fusion was invited by local Churches to work in 3 of the Olympic cities outside Athens. It was their first attempt at a Festival and took place when the soccer began 2 nights before the official opening ceremony. A team travelled to Iraklion, Crete where over 1000 people came to a Festival that was run by two Churches working together in the main square of the
city. The Festival was filmed by a Crete TV station and the local people greatly appreciated what Fusion was able to offer their community. One believer commented as he watched the Festival he believed that this was the most effective way he had ever seen to make contact with Greek people.
In Volos, large crowds turned out for a festival on the waterfront in front of a number of local taverns. One of the local pastors, working in conjunction with the local council and the local Orthodox Bishop commented that he couldn't believe how simple and effective Festivals were. It provided an ideal atmosphere where they could distribute New Testaments to
people who asked for them and they were able to give out more than they ever had before. A local Greek Orthodox priest, when asked by one of his Church members if they should take one, commented that he was going to take one and they should also do that and be reading their Bibles.
At Thessaloniki 500 people came to a Festival at Kalamaria where local Christians worked in co-operation with the Fusion team on the waterfront. When the locals were asked if they would like to see this happen more often, there was an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Many were disappointed that we were not coming back the next day and throughout the evening there were many significant conversations about faith.
Churches across Athens hosted 3 Opening Night Festivals. All had stages and promotion provided by the local councils and all were enthusiastically received by both the council and the local people. Festivals began at 6pm and drew large crowds till 8.45 pm when the Opening Ceremony began.
At Marousi, less than 2 kms from the Olympic Stadium, 1200 people attended a Festival in a perfect setting in an open area near the train station. Music and dance was provided by the Creative Arts team with artists from across the world. The council was delighted by the success of the evening and Fusion was given the opportunity to return again the following week to run 2 Festivals before the giant "Light the World Parade" where the Council
blocked off the street so the celebration could proceed unhindered. Restaurants were so delighted by what they saw that they provided free meals for some of the team.
At Ilion Park, the largest park in Athens, the local Church was uncertain about how many would come. They would have been delighted with 100 so when 800 people came to be part of the celebration they could hardly contain their joy! The local Church is still coming to terms with the impact that they can have in the community as they work together with the council. The Deputy Mayor has asked them to run another Festival as soon as they can!
At Rafina, the Church running this Festival couldn't believe both how may people turned up (over 1500) and how easy it was to find a way to connect with people. Many of the team were invited home for a meal; many discussions were had about faith and people wanted to connect further. From the stage the MC spoke about young people needing purpose and community and it received wholehearted support. There is a clear sense that the closeness of the local community was splintering and what we were offering was a way to reverse this trend.
Since Opening Night Festivals the team have been running Festivals across Athens. They helped begin a massive celebration in the heart of the city, Omonia Square, where they worked with local Churches on the "Tribute to the Unknown God". 5000 people came to this event, a first event on this scale run by the Churches in Athens. Amazingly, it had the full support of the Mayor of Athens and the Olympic authorities who used the event as the start
of the Olympic cultural program.
In the relaxed and welcoming setting of Festivals there have been many opportunities for the team to share their faith and talk to local people about how to join God's family in a new way. Many by simply turning up night after night at the Festivals are finding a home amongst the team. Some are returning with other family members. The team is growing! There are
conversations on buses, in trains and restaurants. Others just ask can they meet to talk further."
Most of my on-site sources have left Athens by now and are on their way home. However, I will still have a few stories to add tomorrow...and some wrap-up thoughts.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
...more from "the country" cousins...
I have enjoyed more stories about what is going on in Greece (other than Athens) as a reult of the Olympics hype...and wanted to document a few of them here...(thanks again, Ramon!)…
“Orayo, Orayo” (beautiful, beautiful) was the word most often heard at one of the special Open Crowd Festival outreaches that are currently taking place in Greece during the Games.
During the Olympics over 100 people from Fusion International, a Christian Youth & Community organization, have been running Community Festivals throughout Greece. They have been working beside local Greek churches and have been welcomed enthusiastically wherever they have run Festivals.
Mayors have given Fusion permission to run these free Family events at the centre of their communities and local Christians have joined the Fusion team to ensure that the local Church have been at the centre of all that is taking place. Thousands have turned up to these Festivals and have been delighted by all they have experienced. Security guards and police, at first sceptical and suspicious, have ended up becoming part of the team as they joined in with the fun and celebration.
Local Christians have been excited seeing the response of the Greek community to Festivals and many are planning to continue running Festivals with the 3 sets of Festival equipment that Fusion will leave behind in Greece.
Here’s just one story (of many) about these community festivals…
A team of 17 from Fusion International took the long 7-hour journey from Athens to join with enthusiastic Christians in the North Western township of Ptolemaida (40,000 people). There they have created something of a joyous revolution. Balloon sculpting, face painting, circus skills and a living Greek statue all drew gasps of joy. The Greeks came in their thousands and time and time again the team were told we have never had anything like this in our town. The city square was circled with aging Greek inhabitants with broad grins on their faces as parents, children and teenagers engaged enthusiastically in the event. The most commonly heard word that night was "Beautiful, Beautiful"! The local members of the Free Church threw themselves into the Festival proudly balloon sculpting and face painting alongside their brothers and sisters from around the world. Language barriers disappeared as sprits united in mission. When Harris Kerr Fusion's local Greek worker asked the crowd would they like to see more of this, they responded, "It must be, we must have more!"
More "country cousin" stories tomorrow.
Friday, August 27, 2004
...You guessed it!!!...More...
After mentioning yesterday what is going on in Athens...but outside the Athletes' Village...I thought it might also be encouraging to record what is been going on in Greece...but beyond Athens.
Special Outreaches are occurring in Athens, across Greece and on many of the Greek islands. There are many famous inhabited islands that are part of Greece. Almost as soon as the 2004 Olympics were awarded leaders began to plan for teams to go to the islands. The years of prayer and planning has resulted in outreach last week, today and the rest of this week on over 35 islands. Nearly 300 workers are on traveling teams. In the last four days of the Olympics there are plans to distribute 50,000 culturally relevant literature packs on the over 35 islands. Friday there will be simultaneous outreaches on all the more than 35 islands. As you watch the global television broadcasts make mention in prayer for those today reaching out on the islands of Greece."
Back to the Village...(Thanks to Judy with AIA for this story)…
"To make a long story short...my friend Karen and I set out for the "residence hall" of the ("Country"-stan) delegation. We walked in one building, asked for them and were told, "oh yes, right there!!!! One of the athletes was ironing clothes. She is a track athlete who wasn't expected to get through her initial heats but finished quite high. That is a HUGE "win" for her and her country. She and her coach then took us to another building to find another athlete! THEN, we sat for 45 minutes chatting with the athletes, took pictures and spoke of many things including their hopes for their future. To say that I was overwhelmed and that God did MORE than I dreamed or imagined is an understatement! This morning I prayed that the Lord would order my steps and it "seemed" as if we went right to these precious women... YIPPEE!!"
Thursday, August 26, 2004
..."Please, sir...more?"...
Here are a few more recent stories from the Olympics...
"Yesterday at noon, a legendary runner form (an east African country) came to the Bible Study. We prayed for her that God will strengthen her for her marathon. She has previously won many prestigious marathons...and she is a sister in the Lord. There are many Christians in this wild world of sports. Many are strong in the Lord but many are living in compromise, and many have back slided, because there was nobody to encourage and help them.Pray that those who are strong will firmly stand out for Jesus. And pray that during these Olympics the Spirit will restore those who are weak and down.
Pray also for a field athlete from a west African country. Pray that she will feel the love of Christ and be strong to perform at the maximum of her potential, for the glory of God. She received a sport New Testament and a Jesus Film DVD with a lot of Joy. Pray that God will use these materials in a mighty way to transform her.
Yesterday I also met a European track and field team member. She came to pray at the Religious Services Center. Pray for her that the Lord will reveal his love to her too."
And here's a story I haven't been reporting on too often yet...
"You might have been wondering what do AIA staff do if they are not in the village and able to meet face to face with athletes we know. Let me give you a bit of a picture...Once after our AIA morning group meetings and devotion time, (we) struck out for the town to "find" athletes to distribute DVDs. When they are not in their competitions they are able to do some sightseeing and shopping themselves. We headed to one of these areas. Almost immediately, I saw an Asian guy taking a picture of four others so I offered to take the picture for them. They all immediately took out cameras and Karen and I were "in"! They wore athlete's badges so we asked them where they were from - this way we know which format of our DVD to give them. I told them we had gifts for each of the athletes and would accept one - each of them did! (These DVDs have faith stories of other Olympians being told in one of eight languages. Then a film about the life of Christ. All in their own language!) After leaving that group we walked a bit more and saw ANOTHER group of athletes taking a picture...again, one taking it of four others! :) SO, offered to take the picture and ask "where are you all from?" (One of the "country-stans"!) Yes, we had a DVD with Russian on it so they could watch it in a language they understand! They were wrestlers and one of them knew of two of our wrestling staff who have been in their country!!! :)SO, that is what others do to help distribute 3500 copies of this Olympic Version DVD and the good news of Jesus Christ! :)"
"Yesterday at noon, a legendary runner form (an east African country) came to the Bible Study. We prayed for her that God will strengthen her for her marathon. She has previously won many prestigious marathons...and she is a sister in the Lord. There are many Christians in this wild world of sports. Many are strong in the Lord but many are living in compromise, and many have back slided, because there was nobody to encourage and help them.Pray that those who are strong will firmly stand out for Jesus. And pray that during these Olympics the Spirit will restore those who are weak and down.
Pray also for a field athlete from a west African country. Pray that she will feel the love of Christ and be strong to perform at the maximum of her potential, for the glory of God. She received a sport New Testament and a Jesus Film DVD with a lot of Joy. Pray that God will use these materials in a mighty way to transform her.
Yesterday I also met a European track and field team member. She came to pray at the Religious Services Center. Pray for her that the Lord will reveal his love to her too."
And here's a story I haven't been reporting on too often yet...
"You might have been wondering what do AIA staff do if they are not in the village and able to meet face to face with athletes we know. Let me give you a bit of a picture...Once after our AIA morning group meetings and devotion time, (we) struck out for the town to "find" athletes to distribute DVDs. When they are not in their competitions they are able to do some sightseeing and shopping themselves. We headed to one of these areas. Almost immediately, I saw an Asian guy taking a picture of four others so I offered to take the picture for them. They all immediately took out cameras and Karen and I were "in"! They wore athlete's badges so we asked them where they were from - this way we know which format of our DVD to give them. I told them we had gifts for each of the athletes and would accept one - each of them did! (These DVDs have faith stories of other Olympians being told in one of eight languages. Then a film about the life of Christ. All in their own language!) After leaving that group we walked a bit more and saw ANOTHER group of athletes taking a picture...again, one taking it of four others! :) SO, offered to take the picture and ask "where are you all from?" (One of the "country-stans"!) Yes, we had a DVD with Russian on it so they could watch it in a language they understand! They were wrestlers and one of them knew of two of our wrestling staff who have been in their country!!! :)SO, that is what others do to help distribute 3500 copies of this Olympic Version DVD and the good news of Jesus Christ! :)"
Mo' tammarra!
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
...and just a few more today...
It's not that things aren't happening...rather, so much happening that I don't have time to get it onto the blog. I will try to do better tomorrow...
Meanwhile...from Athens...God's "hand" continues it's mighty work through his human ambassadors...
"After a quick bite in the cafeteria, I headed over to the (Carribean Island) delegation for a meeting with them. Joining me at this meeting was Gerard, the AIA Director for (one of the island countries). The Chef de Mission of (this island) and his assistant sat and brainstormed ideas of how to reach the athletes of their country with the Good News of Jesus. Afterwards, we gave an Olympic Edition Jesus Film DVD to the Chef who promised that he would make sure that every athlete, coach and official in the delegation received the DVD.
Next I went to the Olympic Village Religious Center for a small worship service and then a Bible Study with 3 Asian country athletes...two basketball players and one volleyball player. These guys love the Lord, are growing in their faith and being discipled back in their home country by one of our AIA staff members. They asked for prayer in 3 areas. One, they desire to be a faithful example of God's love to their teammates. Second, they're all a bit banged up...one required a shot for back pain, and Third, it's been difficult to be away from their families during this time and they asked God's protection on them while they're apart."
From another source...
"On Wednesday, I was able to go inside the Olympic Village and meet with the delegation head from (an African country). We have another appointment today with this person today to discuss how we could help their country's athletes grow. I was also able to have lunch with an Asian athlete studying at an American university and study Colossians 3:17,23 with him in his dorm room before his afternoon practice!!"
More tomorrow...Monday, August 23, 2004
...and yet more...
I love it! Who could ask for "more"?
...yet the stories keep rolling in...
Here are a few from our AIA director in a former Soviet country...
"One day as I was traveling to an event I struck up a conversation with the man next to me who turned out to be a former basketball coach for the national team in (a small western European country). He gladly received our sports DVD with the Jesus Film and was interested in possibly getting some for the team.
After attending a basketball game I noticed a very distinguishing looking man and initiated a conversation with him. I turned out to be one of the 8 or 10 Olympic commissioners from (a former Iron Curtain country). We talked for 30 minutes and he too was very open to receiving our DVD gift.
On another occasion I met a (European) kayaker and talked for 10 minutes and he took the dvd. Later I met the European recruiter for (professional basketball team) and talked with him for 30 minutes. He was a rough guy, but eagerly received the DVD at the end of our conversation."
News from one of our AIA staff women...
"One of the competeing women archers made it into the final 16 (out of 64). She has written on her arm, "audience of one", to remember she competes to please Christ, not others! She meets daily one of the AIA female chaplains in the village!"
And finally (today at least) from our AIA director in another (different than the above) former Soviet country...
"I'm on the internet right now sitting next to two (former USSR country) swimmers who finished their competition this morning. After some small talk I offered each of them a copy of the special Olympic version of the JESUS film on DVD (their's being one of 8 languages on the DVD), which they gladly accepted. I asked them if they wanted a gospel of Luke in Russian, but they happily replied that they had already gotten copies (freely distributed) from their team office."
More than halfway through the Olympics now and I'm praying for the workers and athletes that they will persevere. Sometimes the Good News is most readily heard in the context of strong disappointment and shattered dreams. There are more athletes at the Olympics commiserating than celebrating. I hope and pray that it will lead them into a relationship with the true champion of all mankind and help them to discover More Than Gold.
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