Monday
It has taken a bit of time to recover (sleep-wise)...drowsing in church yesterday but have had three naps since. But, I am gaining some energy...and perspective on my thinking about the road trip.
In short, it was great for relationships and discussions (the main agenda). I always come away wishing I could have done more...and seen things move further along than they seem to...but on the other hand, I spent some good time everyday in prayer for each of the others on the trip... and was both sensitive and "bold" (fine balance) in interaction. Had several excellant talks with guys personally (ranging from 15 minutes to two hours) that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been there. I experienced the team "bonding" phenomena of a long road trip and was able to make the occasional "practical" help "offering" that eased the burden on others. I was actively praying for God's mercy for the team (as a result of one of my quiet times while on the tour).
Jason and I were able to somehow squeeze in time to share the stories of our faith journeys with about 20+ kids at a community outreach centre for disadvantaged kids sponsored by one the parachurch groups in Singapore...and give all the kids free tickets to the game...and offer them eternal life in Jesus. Great to see them as a group there at the game on Saturday.
An unexpected benefit of the time there was due to the fact that most Singaporeans speak excellant English so the support staff assigned to three players to handle the taxi fares and receipts I uses the trip to chat with the driver and then give each of them a "Knowing God Personally" booklet along with a small tip. Who knows what may come of that as God continues to work?
Monday, January 31, 2005
Kings Road Trip--Day Eight
Saturday
Pretty much all over but the travel home today. Up very early, pack, get a quick snack for breakfast, and load on to the bus for the run out the airport.
Qantas flight was marginally better than Virgin but I wasn't sure how I would make the squeeze for seven hours. I couldn't get my usual aisle...or even window...seat so ended up squashed into a middle row middle seat and when the person in front of me reclined their seat I pretty much had to keep both legs stretched out fully under their seat and rested my book on their headrest.
And some of the boys (with and extra eight to ten inches on me) had it even worse. One said he had to stand for almost four hours since he couldn't fold himself back into the seat.
Nevertheless, everyone said they were willing to do it again as it looks like we had a very good reception from Singapore and may be invited again.
This game was the first regular season game between two Australian National Basketball League teams played outside of Australia so it was "historic"...and especially good for the first ever to be won by the Sydney Kings. Goorj even gave the boys two days off!
Pretty much all over but the travel home today. Up very early, pack, get a quick snack for breakfast, and load on to the bus for the run out the airport.
Qantas flight was marginally better than Virgin but I wasn't sure how I would make the squeeze for seven hours. I couldn't get my usual aisle...or even window...seat so ended up squashed into a middle row middle seat and when the person in front of me reclined their seat I pretty much had to keep both legs stretched out fully under their seat and rested my book on their headrest.
And some of the boys (with and extra eight to ten inches on me) had it even worse. One said he had to stand for almost four hours since he couldn't fold himself back into the seat.
Nevertheless, everyone said they were willing to do it again as it looks like we had a very good reception from Singapore and may be invited again.
This game was the first regular season game between two Australian National Basketball League teams played outside of Australia so it was "historic"...and especially good for the first ever to be won by the Sydney Kings. Goorj even gave the boys two days off!
Day Seven--Continued
Spent the afternoon down at the computer mall trying to secure a $150 GST rebate for one of the players on a purchase he had made--since he didn't have time to do the paperwork. Besides, I wanted to be out of the room to give the boys a chance to nap.
Pregame rituals are different for every player and some start hours before the game. Some like to get a nap and fresh shave before the game. Some read or listen to music...and some of the guys like to read the Bible and pray. I'm learning that it is best not to interupt this schedule, but to be available to help in other ways while they get into the zone.
While running the errand and doing some shopping, I rang a friend (Lay Kuan--a CCC graphics artist who had done the AIA newsletter for us just before she returned to Singapore after a Short Term International assignment in Sydney). She had helped set up the outreach meeting yesterday, so I rang to offer her some free tickets to the game. Although she was not able to go to the game because of other commitments, she did want to get together for a chat. Since she wasn't too far from the computer mall, we arranged to meet for coffee. Lay Kuan brought along her sister and we had a great time chatting about the Kings and their family. Unfortunately, time was limited to half an hour, but I'm glad something worked out.
Back to the hotel to wake up the boys and off to the game by bus...both teams traveling together.
Good audience of over 7000 enthusiastic basketball fanatics. And great game...
Wildcats jumped to a nine point lead in the first couple of minutes and it began to look like a repeat of Darwin. But the Kings followed the game plan and gradually came back to lead by 16 points at half time--holding the Wildcats to a very low 36 points for the half. After mid-game the Wildcats ate away at the lead until they were within one point with only two and bit minutes remaining. But the Kings held fast and didn't crumble...tremendous defence and some crunch shots forced the Wildcats to foul in hopes of slowing the game clock. But the guys were hitting their free throws so the game score actually looked like a comfortable win (6 points) even though it was actually much closer.
Jason had a high scoring game at 26 points with three three pointers at clutch time. Really proud of the team. They were happy to win but gracious towards the Wildcats which was important since we had to have both teams front up to a post-game function and travel back to the hotel together on the same bus.
Went out to find something to eat after getting back to the hotel but I settled for a soft drink since I didn't want to take chances on health for trip home tomorrow. Another short stop at the hotel bar (peanuts only for me!) to celebrate with support staff, coaches, and couple of the players. When they decided to head off to another club I begged off to get a couple of hours of sleep before a 5:15 am wakeup and long flight home.
Great day...always good to travel on the back of Win.
Pregame rituals are different for every player and some start hours before the game. Some like to get a nap and fresh shave before the game. Some read or listen to music...and some of the guys like to read the Bible and pray. I'm learning that it is best not to interupt this schedule, but to be available to help in other ways while they get into the zone.
While running the errand and doing some shopping, I rang a friend (Lay Kuan--a CCC graphics artist who had done the AIA newsletter for us just before she returned to Singapore after a Short Term International assignment in Sydney). She had helped set up the outreach meeting yesterday, so I rang to offer her some free tickets to the game. Although she was not able to go to the game because of other commitments, she did want to get together for a chat. Since she wasn't too far from the computer mall, we arranged to meet for coffee. Lay Kuan brought along her sister and we had a great time chatting about the Kings and their family. Unfortunately, time was limited to half an hour, but I'm glad something worked out.
Back to the hotel to wake up the boys and off to the game by bus...both teams traveling together.
Good audience of over 7000 enthusiastic basketball fanatics. And great game...
Wildcats jumped to a nine point lead in the first couple of minutes and it began to look like a repeat of Darwin. But the Kings followed the game plan and gradually came back to lead by 16 points at half time--holding the Wildcats to a very low 36 points for the half. After mid-game the Wildcats ate away at the lead until they were within one point with only two and bit minutes remaining. But the Kings held fast and didn't crumble...tremendous defence and some crunch shots forced the Wildcats to foul in hopes of slowing the game clock. But the guys were hitting their free throws so the game score actually looked like a comfortable win (6 points) even though it was actually much closer.
Jason had a high scoring game at 26 points with three three pointers at clutch time. Really proud of the team. They were happy to win but gracious towards the Wildcats which was important since we had to have both teams front up to a post-game function and travel back to the hotel together on the same bus.
Went out to find something to eat after getting back to the hotel but I settled for a soft drink since I didn't want to take chances on health for trip home tomorrow. Another short stop at the hotel bar (peanuts only for me!) to celebrate with support staff, coaches, and couple of the players. When they decided to head off to another club I begged off to get a couple of hours of sleep before a 5:15 am wakeup and long flight home.
Great day...always good to travel on the back of Win.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Kings Road Trip--Day Seven
Friday
Turned out to be what I am beginning to see as a pattern for game day with guys beginning to focus on the game and "non-essential" conversation fading as the day goes on.
Breakfast at hotel followed by "shoot around" at the Singapore Indoor stadium (game venue).
Took my t-shirt as well as my grey soulsport polo so that I could help with free throw rebounding if necessary, but ended up leaving it on a chair there and never recovered it!
Fortunately that was the only loss of the day since the Kings won a very close game against the Wildcats later on in the day.
Mostly some shopping in afternoon. Game summary later.
Turned out to be what I am beginning to see as a pattern for game day with guys beginning to focus on the game and "non-essential" conversation fading as the day goes on.
Breakfast at hotel followed by "shoot around" at the Singapore Indoor stadium (game venue).
Took my t-shirt as well as my grey soulsport polo so that I could help with free throw rebounding if necessary, but ended up leaving it on a chair there and never recovered it!
Fortunately that was the only loss of the day since the Kings won a very close game against the Wildcats later on in the day.
Mostly some shopping in afternoon. Game summary later.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Kings Road Trip--Day Six
Thursday
Breakfast with team and out to "new" training centre with wooden floors. Had a short talk with one of the support staff about "comparative religions" brought on by discussion about the people praying to buddhas in the outdoor marketplaces. Later continued the conversation briefly. I gained some awesome insight from this conversation that will take me some time to digest but I certainly appreciate my mates' comment and enjoyed the interaction.
Handed a brief handwritten "study" on Daniel to the player I had talked to yesterday and he was appreciative of the time I had taken to expand on our conversation. Did a quick shop with Wheels instead of lunch and loaded on to a bus with both teams to do a Harvey Norman promo at the Suntec Shopping Centre. While the two teams made long shots and were introduced to the shoppers, I was asked to give out free tickets to the game. Had a great time "socializing" and joking with people about the game. Took advantage of a special "team rate" to buy a half-gig memory stick for my computer.
After the promo the team was released for some free time to find there own way back to the hotel (only a couple of kilometers away). I had arranged to picked up by a couple of workers with the FaithActs organization who work with underprivileged kids in one of the high rises near the hotel. Jason and I went with them to do a slamdunk demo and 10 minute clinic followed by the two of us telling the story of our spiritual journey to the kids (about 20 +).
Jason also explained how someone could come to know Christ and I offered them free tickets to the game as a visual demonstration of how it wasn't enough to merely have a gift offered to you (either basketball games or heaven)...you must accept the gift before it is yours--even if it has already been paid for. Jason lead the kids in silent prayer if they wanted to respond to Christ but we had no indication of any decisions (neither did we ask for one though).
Very rewarding and Jason seemed to be energized by the experience. Once again he did a great job in communicating. I asked him later if it was the first time he had "presented" to a group in a different country and after short assessment he thought it probably was. I welcomed him into the ranks of "foreign missionaries".
Back to hotel for Team/Public Cocktail Party in the lobby and again enjoyed explaining chaplaincy role to the dubious. One group of three cyclists from Perth who were here to cycle but planning to see the game asked if I would bless them!
Back up the room to an early night in preparation for the game day tomorrow. Good day!
Breakfast with team and out to "new" training centre with wooden floors. Had a short talk with one of the support staff about "comparative religions" brought on by discussion about the people praying to buddhas in the outdoor marketplaces. Later continued the conversation briefly. I gained some awesome insight from this conversation that will take me some time to digest but I certainly appreciate my mates' comment and enjoyed the interaction.
Handed a brief handwritten "study" on Daniel to the player I had talked to yesterday and he was appreciative of the time I had taken to expand on our conversation. Did a quick shop with Wheels instead of lunch and loaded on to a bus with both teams to do a Harvey Norman promo at the Suntec Shopping Centre. While the two teams made long shots and were introduced to the shoppers, I was asked to give out free tickets to the game. Had a great time "socializing" and joking with people about the game. Took advantage of a special "team rate" to buy a half-gig memory stick for my computer.
After the promo the team was released for some free time to find there own way back to the hotel (only a couple of kilometers away). I had arranged to picked up by a couple of workers with the FaithActs organization who work with underprivileged kids in one of the high rises near the hotel. Jason and I went with them to do a slamdunk demo and 10 minute clinic followed by the two of us telling the story of our spiritual journey to the kids (about 20 +).
Jason also explained how someone could come to know Christ and I offered them free tickets to the game as a visual demonstration of how it wasn't enough to merely have a gift offered to you (either basketball games or heaven)...you must accept the gift before it is yours--even if it has already been paid for. Jason lead the kids in silent prayer if they wanted to respond to Christ but we had no indication of any decisions (neither did we ask for one though).
Very rewarding and Jason seemed to be energized by the experience. Once again he did a great job in communicating. I asked him later if it was the first time he had "presented" to a group in a different country and after short assessment he thought it probably was. I welcomed him into the ranks of "foreign missionaries".
Back to hotel for Team/Public Cocktail Party in the lobby and again enjoyed explaining chaplaincy role to the dubious. One group of three cyclists from Perth who were here to cycle but planning to see the game asked if I would bless them!
Back up the room to an early night in preparation for the game day tomorrow. Good day!
Kings Road Trip--Day Five
Wednesday
Best day of the trip so far. Early morning wakeup (7:00 am) to load onto a bus for a half-hour trip to Singapore Zoo for Press conference and "Breakfast at the Zoo"...outdoor (shaded) dining room right next to the orangatangs enclosure. I'm not sure who was more interested in who here. It did look like the orangatangs had riper bananas however. Had an hour to stroll so a couple of us headed off the "lions" and I had a great talk with one of the younger players about the story of Daniel in the Lions den.
Back to hotel and off to Australian International School (again) for friendly game with students and staff with ESPN press conference and training following...started in smaller (cooler) gym and ended up on large court. Met Rick Chong--Singaporean Christian worker near end of training and passed on three "Give Me The Rock" videos for his use with the boys and girls he works with in Boy's Brigade. Disappointing that we were not able to nail down an evangelistic meeting but he was very gracious.
Back to hotel by cab to change for special Australia Day reception at the Australian High Commission. Traveled by bus with the Wildcats. Had to loan my long pants to Mark as he hadn't brought a pair. He wore them low enough on his hips (with a belt to take in about eight inches) and they almost fit if he wore his polo shirt (out). The function was really fun. Met quite a few Australians and American military (Coast Guard on three year assignment to Singapore-- if can believe it!).
Great too see jaws drop and questions flow when the conversation eventually turned to my role with the team. One lady thought chaplains were only involved with groups that had a high death rate. I assured her that wasn't the case in basketball and explained that more and more professional sports are concerned about the development of the athlete as a "whole person". At elite levels of competition...where physical and mental condition and skills are pretty much honed to near perfection by competing players...a significant spiritual development in a player's life can give him a slight edge.
Interesting--as I was explaining this, one of the Coast Guard officers kept nodding and agreeing with me as an affirmation to this woman that what I said was true. I found out later that his father was a long time chaplain in the US Navy. Was able to pass on a Knowing God Personally booklet to one of the guests from the Singaporean government who is quite an avid Kings fan.
Returned fairly early to the hotel by bus...after dropping off the Wildcats for an evening practice!!! Went computer shop browsing with Jason and Wheels. Returned to hotel to settle in to bit of junk food (small bag of potatoe crisps--shared) and had a great (informal!!!) question and answer discussion that flowed quite enjoyably for close to two hours. This chat will certainly be a highlight of the week for me. Drifted off to sleep around 12.
Best day of the trip so far. Early morning wakeup (7:00 am) to load onto a bus for a half-hour trip to Singapore Zoo for Press conference and "Breakfast at the Zoo"...outdoor (shaded) dining room right next to the orangatangs enclosure. I'm not sure who was more interested in who here. It did look like the orangatangs had riper bananas however. Had an hour to stroll so a couple of us headed off the "lions" and I had a great talk with one of the younger players about the story of Daniel in the Lions den.
Back to hotel and off to Australian International School (again) for friendly game with students and staff with ESPN press conference and training following...started in smaller (cooler) gym and ended up on large court. Met Rick Chong--Singaporean Christian worker near end of training and passed on three "Give Me The Rock" videos for his use with the boys and girls he works with in Boy's Brigade. Disappointing that we were not able to nail down an evangelistic meeting but he was very gracious.
Back to hotel by cab to change for special Australia Day reception at the Australian High Commission. Traveled by bus with the Wildcats. Had to loan my long pants to Mark as he hadn't brought a pair. He wore them low enough on his hips (with a belt to take in about eight inches) and they almost fit if he wore his polo shirt (out). The function was really fun. Met quite a few Australians and American military (Coast Guard on three year assignment to Singapore-- if can believe it!).
Great too see jaws drop and questions flow when the conversation eventually turned to my role with the team. One lady thought chaplains were only involved with groups that had a high death rate. I assured her that wasn't the case in basketball and explained that more and more professional sports are concerned about the development of the athlete as a "whole person". At elite levels of competition...where physical and mental condition and skills are pretty much honed to near perfection by competing players...a significant spiritual development in a player's life can give him a slight edge.
Interesting--as I was explaining this, one of the Coast Guard officers kept nodding and agreeing with me as an affirmation to this woman that what I said was true. I found out later that his father was a long time chaplain in the US Navy. Was able to pass on a Knowing God Personally booklet to one of the guests from the Singaporean government who is quite an avid Kings fan.
Returned fairly early to the hotel by bus...after dropping off the Wildcats for an evening practice!!! Went computer shop browsing with Jason and Wheels. Returned to hotel to settle in to bit of junk food (small bag of potatoe crisps--shared) and had a great (informal!!!) question and answer discussion that flowed quite enjoyably for close to two hours. This chat will certainly be a highlight of the week for me. Drifted off to sleep around 12.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Kings Road Trip--Day Four
Tuesday
First full day in Singapore. Breakfast in hotel restaurant followed by bus trip out to the One World (International-very exclusive private) School of South East Asia for a tour and press conference. Once again had a lot of wait time but had a good talk with one of the support staff about his religious background and learned a bit from him about a branch of Christianity that I am not too familiar with. Enjoyed the chat.
Able to pass off another "verse of the day" to the player I mentioned a couple of days ago--for guidance in his daily reading. About half way through the press conference had a good chat with Ja and we decided we needed to spend some time "in the Word" tonight...about two hours later he was pretty sick (flu?) and eventually ended up skipping training to try to sleep it off.
Meanwhile the team was back to hotel to change and get ready for training and then taxi's to the Australian International School for training (4-6:30 pm) on a cement floor (not good for the guys and there in no "spring" and muscles get sore quite quickly--not to mention a pretty intense heat even though the gym was air-conditioned.
During the training has a great chance to chat with one of the other support staff about some of his experiences in travel with basketball and most enjoyed talks about his visits to cathedrals in Europe. Clean up gym and taxi's back to the hotel.
Late team dinner at the hotel and Jason came down after a long nap saying he was feeling a little better but he still looked pretty shot. Said he was still up for a Bible study so we waited until the others had left for shopping and spent about an hour and half in the room talking about an iarea of personal development that he is interested in. This was a rich time for both of us concluding in prayer together. Long day but felt pretty good about it. Several "mini-conversations" with about half the team. Step by step!
Hit the rack about 11:30 pm.
First full day in Singapore. Breakfast in hotel restaurant followed by bus trip out to the One World (International-very exclusive private) School of South East Asia for a tour and press conference. Once again had a lot of wait time but had a good talk with one of the support staff about his religious background and learned a bit from him about a branch of Christianity that I am not too familiar with. Enjoyed the chat.
Able to pass off another "verse of the day" to the player I mentioned a couple of days ago--for guidance in his daily reading. About half way through the press conference had a good chat with Ja and we decided we needed to spend some time "in the Word" tonight...about two hours later he was pretty sick (flu?) and eventually ended up skipping training to try to sleep it off.
Meanwhile the team was back to hotel to change and get ready for training and then taxi's to the Australian International School for training (4-6:30 pm) on a cement floor (not good for the guys and there in no "spring" and muscles get sore quite quickly--not to mention a pretty intense heat even though the gym was air-conditioned.
During the training has a great chance to chat with one of the other support staff about some of his experiences in travel with basketball and most enjoyed talks about his visits to cathedrals in Europe. Clean up gym and taxi's back to the hotel.
Late team dinner at the hotel and Jason came down after a long nap saying he was feeling a little better but he still looked pretty shot. Said he was still up for a Bible study so we waited until the others had left for shopping and spent about an hour and half in the room talking about an iarea of personal development that he is interested in. This was a rich time for both of us concluding in prayer together. Long day but felt pretty good about it. Several "mini-conversations" with about half the team. Step by step!
Hit the rack about 11:30 pm.
Kings Road Trip--Day Three
Monday...Worked out with the team at a small gym in Darwin after breakfast. Weights circuit and stationary bikes with exercises to stretch out after. Return to hotel for a hot bath and packing up my bags. Quick lunch and help pack up the mini-coach for the run to the airport. Heat was sweltering...only took about 30 seconds to draw sweat.
Arrived plenty early and like so much of a road trip spent the wait time chatting and playing Uno with five of the players. Took a break for one hand to approach one of the Perth Wildcats who had been pointed out to me a former player on a West Australian AIA team. We had a good chat and he was keen to get together sometime with Jason and I to talk about how to get some prayer going with his team. He's not really sure of the spiritual status of the other players on his team. We planned to meet together some time in Singapore.
Finally loaded up for a three and half hour Qantas flight in the late afternoon. Had a good trip and started up a very productive talk with the (60+ year old) guy sitting next to me. He was on his way to Thailand so naturally our conversation turned to the tsunami and from there on to "how to prepare for natural catastrophe". He thought my approach was novel..."Be ready to die at any moment--by knowing Jesus personally." Resulted in a great information exchange and left him with a Knowing God Personally booklet. He asked me for my email so that he could keep in touch when he finally returned to England as he is a former rugby player and avid fan of the sport. I reckon Cy was the divine appointment of the day!
Settled into the hotel. As I was wait-listed and there "was no room in the inn" the team captain suggested we get a rollaway for their room and have me bunk there. The other player assigned to the room was fine with that so things were settled pretty quickly and it will actually save me big bucks on accommodation.
Had a late team dinner and went for a late night (well actually 9:45 pm) stroll with Wheels down to a massive computer store (actually six stories of shops) to check out bargains. He's on the prowl for a cheap(er) laptop. Arrived six blocks later just at closing time but it's early in our stay.
Shower and crash for the night.
Arrived plenty early and like so much of a road trip spent the wait time chatting and playing Uno with five of the players. Took a break for one hand to approach one of the Perth Wildcats who had been pointed out to me a former player on a West Australian AIA team. We had a good chat and he was keen to get together sometime with Jason and I to talk about how to get some prayer going with his team. He's not really sure of the spiritual status of the other players on his team. We planned to meet together some time in Singapore.
Finally loaded up for a three and half hour Qantas flight in the late afternoon. Had a good trip and started up a very productive talk with the (60+ year old) guy sitting next to me. He was on his way to Thailand so naturally our conversation turned to the tsunami and from there on to "how to prepare for natural catastrophe". He thought my approach was novel..."Be ready to die at any moment--by knowing Jesus personally." Resulted in a great information exchange and left him with a Knowing God Personally booklet. He asked me for my email so that he could keep in touch when he finally returned to England as he is a former rugby player and avid fan of the sport. I reckon Cy was the divine appointment of the day!
Settled into the hotel. As I was wait-listed and there "was no room in the inn" the team captain suggested we get a rollaway for their room and have me bunk there. The other player assigned to the room was fine with that so things were settled pretty quickly and it will actually save me big bucks on accommodation.
Had a late team dinner and went for a late night (well actually 9:45 pm) stroll with Wheels down to a massive computer store (actually six stories of shops) to check out bargains. He's on the prowl for a cheap(er) laptop. Arrived six blocks later just at closing time but it's early in our stay.
Shower and crash for the night.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Sydney Kings Tour--Day Two
The Lord was gracious with an exit row seat...and an empty seat next to me for the Brisbane to Darwin leg. Dosed a couple of times but managed to read about a third of The Heavenly Man (near "unbelievable" biography of a Chinese Christian brother who has suffered much for his faith but has seen phenomenal fruit). Stirring and challenging. It has had me praying much more in the last 24 hours. Arrived in Darwin about 11:30 pm. Checked in...showered...and slept cold under some frigid air-conditioning at the Sky City Casino Hotel.
Much better day today as far as connecting and engaging in my role with the team. Did a workout with the team after a light breakfast and then prepped for the game by searching the Scriptures for appropriate verses to share with guys at our pre-game prayer meeting. Felt lead to share I Corin. 15:58 with one of the guys but didn't actually find an approriate time before the game.
After the warmup on court in a very warm and smallish stadium the usual crew of three players and I met for a brief encouragement from the word and prayer together. We looked at an initial selection of key thoughts from Hebrews 12:1-2 that focused on "endurance" from "start to finish" by looking to the Lord. Short prayer and then...
A tough game against Perth. Though they were playing without "Amazing Grace" (Ricky Grace...a brother in the Lord) they did well and pulled away from us in the second quarter. Although there was some fightback...even toward the end...closing to seven points (from almost a 20 point deficit)...we couldn't bring it together. We only hit 11 of 43 three point attempts. When the percentage is that low it is hard to win. And their big guys really controlled the defensive boards. Anyhow...a bit disappointing for our guys.
I managed to sit on the end of the bench and help with the water...and even felt a degree of success in not yelling (too much!) at the referees. Worked hard at cheering the players rather than jeering the officials.
Returned...in the heat...to a recovery session in the hotel pool and sat down to an early dinner. When almost everyone had left the table I got into a great conversation with one of the guys about his "life journey". It was very helpful...and fun...to chat about where he was coming from. I appreciate his maturing attitude and commitment to read his Bible and pray everyday. We talked a bit about how important it is not merely to know God's word but to be moving closer and closer to the "God of the words" daily...very relaxed and encouraging time.
By the way, this is the guy that I had a verse for earlier in the day...so I shared it with him after dinner. He said with verses like that I could share them with him more often...he seems to place a high value on guidance.
So Day Two has been a step up...looking forward to Day Three.
Much better day today as far as connecting and engaging in my role with the team. Did a workout with the team after a light breakfast and then prepped for the game by searching the Scriptures for appropriate verses to share with guys at our pre-game prayer meeting. Felt lead to share I Corin. 15:58 with one of the guys but didn't actually find an approriate time before the game.
After the warmup on court in a very warm and smallish stadium the usual crew of three players and I met for a brief encouragement from the word and prayer together. We looked at an initial selection of key thoughts from Hebrews 12:1-2 that focused on "endurance" from "start to finish" by looking to the Lord. Short prayer and then...
A tough game against Perth. Though they were playing without "Amazing Grace" (Ricky Grace...a brother in the Lord) they did well and pulled away from us in the second quarter. Although there was some fightback...even toward the end...closing to seven points (from almost a 20 point deficit)...we couldn't bring it together. We only hit 11 of 43 three point attempts. When the percentage is that low it is hard to win. And their big guys really controlled the defensive boards. Anyhow...a bit disappointing for our guys.
I managed to sit on the end of the bench and help with the water...and even felt a degree of success in not yelling (too much!) at the referees. Worked hard at cheering the players rather than jeering the officials.
Returned...in the heat...to a recovery session in the hotel pool and sat down to an early dinner. When almost everyone had left the table I got into a great conversation with one of the guys about his "life journey". It was very helpful...and fun...to chat about where he was coming from. I appreciate his maturing attitude and commitment to read his Bible and pray everyday. We talked a bit about how important it is not merely to know God's word but to be moving closer and closer to the "God of the words" daily...very relaxed and encouraging time.
By the way, this is the guy that I had a verse for earlier in the day...so I shared it with him after dinner. He said with verses like that I could share them with him more often...he seems to place a high value on guidance.
So Day Two has been a step up...looking forward to Day Three.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Kings Road Trip North--Day One
First day of the tour...almost 7:00pm...and I haven't seen a King yet. Well, it was expected!
I was scheduled for the original flight time with Virgin and the team decided to travel about 12 hours earlier with Qantas to get some rest time before the first game with Perth tomorrow. Meanwhile, I had made plans to attend the wedding reception of a friend and found it would be too costly to change carriers anyway.
So I am flying up by myself and will arrive after midnight and meet the guys for a light breakfast tommorrow. Did get in a good conversation with the Lord but none "about" Him yet!
Gotta go catch my connecting flight to Darwin.
I was scheduled for the original flight time with Virgin and the team decided to travel about 12 hours earlier with Qantas to get some rest time before the first game with Perth tomorrow. Meanwhile, I had made plans to attend the wedding reception of a friend and found it would be too costly to change carriers anyway.
So I am flying up by myself and will arrive after midnight and meet the guys for a light breakfast tommorrow. Did get in a good conversation with the Lord but none "about" Him yet!
Gotta go catch my connecting flight to Darwin.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Mogolian BBQ--Main Course
Here is the continuation of Rich's adventure in Mongolia started in my last posting...
There were a number of other lessons, but one other I think I have to share. The first morning of seeing patients was very similar to last year, with a crush of people crowding around and repeatedly bursting into the room as I tried to take a history through the translator and examine the patient. I was increasingly frustrated, and on the walk to lunch I was praying about it when God called to my mind that, while I was fuming about 40-50 people crowding around me demanding my diagnoses and recommendations, Jesus had 4000 crowding around Him asking for life eternal.
My inconvenience was minimal, and not very compassionate. I asked God's forgiveness, and determined to have a different attitude that afternoon. Within 5 minutes, one of the non-medical helpers on the trip came up to me and stated he wanted to organize things better for me, and that he would work out a number system. And with that, the rest of the trip for me was a very organized series of patient examinations.
But I needed that lesson in compassion. The next afternoon, the Cardiology group (everyone but me and my two assistants) finished early, by 4:30. They informed us they were all leaving to go back to the hotel, and that we HAD to be done by 6:00 to go to dinner. But at 5:30, we still had 7 patients left to be seen. The two guys helping me asked what I wanted to do, because there would be no sense in making some of them wait only to be told we were leaving at 6:00. I thought about the lesson on compassion, and asked if they minded being late for dinner, because we were going to another town the next day, and therefore would not be able to come back for anyone we turned away. They both agreed whole heartedly.
At 6:20, as I was getting ready to call one of the last patients into the room, one of the guys stuck his head in with wide-eyed eagerness, announced that this parent actually spoke English, and he had shared the gospel with her. She had said she was not yet ready to accept Christ, but this guy was convinced that I needed to share it with her one more time. So as I began to ask questions about her daughter's seizures, I was praying, "God, show me how to segue into a Gospel presentation, show me how to transition this discussion".
Suddenly, the mother looked at me and asked, "How do I accept Jesus into my life?" I shared with her, asked if she wanted to pray for Him to come into her life now, and she said "Yes"!!!!! What an incredible gift God gave me for the simple act of obedience to His lesson to me.
And can you imagine a ten day trip with lessons like that every day? God is so incredibly good, most especially for His personal involvement and His opening my eyes to see.
How can we not praise Him at all times?
There were a number of other lessons, but one other I think I have to share. The first morning of seeing patients was very similar to last year, with a crush of people crowding around and repeatedly bursting into the room as I tried to take a history through the translator and examine the patient. I was increasingly frustrated, and on the walk to lunch I was praying about it when God called to my mind that, while I was fuming about 40-50 people crowding around me demanding my diagnoses and recommendations, Jesus had 4000 crowding around Him asking for life eternal.
My inconvenience was minimal, and not very compassionate. I asked God's forgiveness, and determined to have a different attitude that afternoon. Within 5 minutes, one of the non-medical helpers on the trip came up to me and stated he wanted to organize things better for me, and that he would work out a number system. And with that, the rest of the trip for me was a very organized series of patient examinations.
But I needed that lesson in compassion. The next afternoon, the Cardiology group (everyone but me and my two assistants) finished early, by 4:30. They informed us they were all leaving to go back to the hotel, and that we HAD to be done by 6:00 to go to dinner. But at 5:30, we still had 7 patients left to be seen. The two guys helping me asked what I wanted to do, because there would be no sense in making some of them wait only to be told we were leaving at 6:00. I thought about the lesson on compassion, and asked if they minded being late for dinner, because we were going to another town the next day, and therefore would not be able to come back for anyone we turned away. They both agreed whole heartedly.
At 6:20, as I was getting ready to call one of the last patients into the room, one of the guys stuck his head in with wide-eyed eagerness, announced that this parent actually spoke English, and he had shared the gospel with her. She had said she was not yet ready to accept Christ, but this guy was convinced that I needed to share it with her one more time. So as I began to ask questions about her daughter's seizures, I was praying, "God, show me how to segue into a Gospel presentation, show me how to transition this discussion".
Suddenly, the mother looked at me and asked, "How do I accept Jesus into my life?" I shared with her, asked if she wanted to pray for Him to come into her life now, and she said "Yes"!!!!! What an incredible gift God gave me for the simple act of obedience to His lesson to me.
And can you imagine a ten day trip with lessons like that every day? God is so incredibly good, most especially for His personal involvement and His opening my eyes to see.
How can we not praise Him at all times?
Indeed! Thanks, Rich, for sharing the story with me.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Vicarous Mongolian BBQ
Here is an edited copy of my favorite "Christmas Letter" received this season. It is from my brother-in-law who is a medical doctor who has invested part of his vacation time for several years in short term mission to Mongolia. He is "champion" as we say in Oz and I was really encouraged by this simple "journal" of his adventure. Because of the length of the story I will publish it in several segments (and I have even been promised a few photos!)
"My trip to Mongolia was truly a God-focused adventure for me, but far too much to put in a Christmas letter. There was truly a lesson every day for me. For example, the first day in country, we were in the capital city Ulaanbaatar. We flew in, quickly checked into our hotel, then went out as a group (22 of us in 3 microbuses) to see the Museum of Mongolian History. The microbuses left, scheduled to come back to pick us up at 4:45. We got out of the museum at 3:45, and with an hour to kill, the group decided to walk in the big city square down the block.
My knee was hurting (I had some torn cartilage), so I stated (apparently to no one) that I would wait at the museum for the buses. I knew I had been left behind when 5:30 rolled around, and not one person had returned, nor the buses. The microbuses apparently saw the group over on the square, picked them up there, and with 22 strangers in 3 buses, no one realized that one person was missing. And they did not realize it until 8:30 that night, as they were finishing dinner.
When I began to suspect by 5:30 that I had been left behind, the sun was setting, it was cold (about 15 degrees F), and I was in a city of 750,000 speaking a language I knew all of 3 words (thank you, hello, and yes). I did not know the name of our hotel, and I had no phone numbers to call. I had no way of contacting anyone I knew in that city, or of asking for directions to anywhere. I did not even know where I was supposed to be. I began to pray, knowing that I was completely dependent upon God to work things out.
By 6:30 I was starting to get anxious about it; I was thanking God that I was the one left behind, because I was one of two people that had been there before, and therefore a little less likely to panic. But I was also asking His forgiveness, that I was not trusting enough of God to avoid being anxious. That may be a harsh judgment, but I firmly believe that if I totally trusted He would work things out, as I have seen Him do so many times before, then I should have had no anxiety, but rather a wonderment and excitement to see how He would do it. The latter would have been very appropriate.
Three Americans came walking by as I was praying, and my first thought was to say nothing, because without a hotel name or phone number, what were they going to do? Perhaps it would be better to wait for someone to realize I was missing, and come driving back to find me along the original path. But God immediately called to my mind the old joke of someone praying for help from God, turning down a car/boat/helicopter, then asking God why He did not help, to which God replied He had sent those three vehicles (the joke is funnier when told right).
Anyway, I realized from that immediate recollection that I should ask these Americans for help. They invited me to their hotel, and on the taxi ride there, I recalled the name "Lion Hotel" (I did not know that name, so it could only have come from One Place). When we got to the hotel, the front desk had never heard of it. So the Americans called their Mongolian translator, who drove out to the hotel. We looked up on a city map, and found a hotel listed as "LG Hotel". It seemed like it might fit "Lion Hotel", so we called, and they had had 22 Americans check in that morning.
However, they gave very poor directions to the hotel (turns out it was a brand new, albeit, one star, hotel), so the translator suggested she drive me there, rather than sending me in a taxi. She had to call three times en route, before finally getting me to the hotel 5 minutes before the group returned from dinner, having decided (once they realized I was missing), that I probably had just taken a taxi back to the hotel on my own.
What a great lesson God had taught me. Hopefully, next time I will fully trust in Him.
"My trip to Mongolia was truly a God-focused adventure for me, but far too much to put in a Christmas letter. There was truly a lesson every day for me. For example, the first day in country, we were in the capital city Ulaanbaatar. We flew in, quickly checked into our hotel, then went out as a group (22 of us in 3 microbuses) to see the Museum of Mongolian History. The microbuses left, scheduled to come back to pick us up at 4:45. We got out of the museum at 3:45, and with an hour to kill, the group decided to walk in the big city square down the block.
My knee was hurting (I had some torn cartilage), so I stated (apparently to no one) that I would wait at the museum for the buses. I knew I had been left behind when 5:30 rolled around, and not one person had returned, nor the buses. The microbuses apparently saw the group over on the square, picked them up there, and with 22 strangers in 3 buses, no one realized that one person was missing. And they did not realize it until 8:30 that night, as they were finishing dinner.
When I began to suspect by 5:30 that I had been left behind, the sun was setting, it was cold (about 15 degrees F), and I was in a city of 750,000 speaking a language I knew all of 3 words (thank you, hello, and yes). I did not know the name of our hotel, and I had no phone numbers to call. I had no way of contacting anyone I knew in that city, or of asking for directions to anywhere. I did not even know where I was supposed to be. I began to pray, knowing that I was completely dependent upon God to work things out.
By 6:30 I was starting to get anxious about it; I was thanking God that I was the one left behind, because I was one of two people that had been there before, and therefore a little less likely to panic. But I was also asking His forgiveness, that I was not trusting enough of God to avoid being anxious. That may be a harsh judgment, but I firmly believe that if I totally trusted He would work things out, as I have seen Him do so many times before, then I should have had no anxiety, but rather a wonderment and excitement to see how He would do it. The latter would have been very appropriate.
Three Americans came walking by as I was praying, and my first thought was to say nothing, because without a hotel name or phone number, what were they going to do? Perhaps it would be better to wait for someone to realize I was missing, and come driving back to find me along the original path. But God immediately called to my mind the old joke of someone praying for help from God, turning down a car/boat/helicopter, then asking God why He did not help, to which God replied He had sent those three vehicles (the joke is funnier when told right).
Anyway, I realized from that immediate recollection that I should ask these Americans for help. They invited me to their hotel, and on the taxi ride there, I recalled the name "Lion Hotel" (I did not know that name, so it could only have come from One Place). When we got to the hotel, the front desk had never heard of it. So the Americans called their Mongolian translator, who drove out to the hotel. We looked up on a city map, and found a hotel listed as "LG Hotel". It seemed like it might fit "Lion Hotel", so we called, and they had had 22 Americans check in that morning.
However, they gave very poor directions to the hotel (turns out it was a brand new, albeit, one star, hotel), so the translator suggested she drive me there, rather than sending me in a taxi. She had to call three times en route, before finally getting me to the hotel 5 minutes before the group returned from dinner, having decided (once they realized I was missing), that I probably had just taken a taxi back to the hotel on my own.
What a great lesson God had taught me. Hopefully, next time I will fully trust in Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)