Speckman's Scratchings

Gary as MC at CCCA Connexions Conference

2007-09-29T11:34:00.000+10:00

2007 Sydney Kings--Jason Smith Fan Day

2007-09-05T19:17:00.000+10:00

6 October 2007...As a result of the tremendous response to the Jason Smith Fan Day last November (2006) Athletes in Action, the Firepower Sydney Kings, and the Bible Society of NSW are partnering to present another Fan Day at the second regular season game of the year. Jason Smith (Captain of the Kings) and other elite athletes will share their personal journey stories of faith in Jesus...from courtside...following the first regular season game against the Cairns Taipans. Contact us for special rate tickets at $5 per person.

Arden Anglican Clinic

2007-06-04T11:00:00.000+10:00

Here is a link to an interesting little Sydney Kings news tidbit on a recent clinic Jason and I did for a local school.

http://www.sydneykings.com.au/zone/mediarelease.asp?BL=kings&MediaID=687

I love the simple description by the writer of Jason's testimony at the clinic.

By the way, a close look at the photo shows me standing at the far right. Another photo as a "(Semi-retired) Athlete in Action" can be seen by clicking back to the Kings "Home" site where I am on the far left of the photo in "stop action".

Awesome Answer to Prayer

2007-04-07T16:28:00.000+10:00

I thought it might be good to document this great story--which occurred this Easter week...

It started with an email from my co-worker in the Pacific Islands with an unusual prayer request...

Essentially, Wes was asking for the recovery of a computer that had been stolen from our office in Fiji. The computer had over three weeks of hard work stored on it in dubbing the Jesus film into a local dialect. The project was near completion (and just meeting a deadline for production) when the computer was stolen.

I prayed (a bit half-heartedly I must admit) and pretty much forgot about it until I received this email a couple of days later...

****************************************

Subject:
Fantastic Prayer Answer

Date:
Thu, 5 Apr 2007 16:59:23 +1200

From:
Wes Brenneman

Dear Praying Friends,

You are part of a miracle! I am excited to be able to report to you that we have seen a very exciting answer to prayer for the Jesus Film recording in Fiji.

The stolen computer was recovered! That in itself was quite a story. Apparently on Tuesday night one of the investigating police officers was off duty and was "impressed by the Lord" to go back and check one of the pawn shops they had previously gone to. The computer was there!

But the miracle story continues.... unfortunately the data on the hard drive had been deleted.... but miracles still happen! Just today the Jesus Film Master Studio in Orlando obtained a software program that can restore deleted files. So they sent the software to the team in Fiji over the internet and it worked! The entire "lost" recording of the Fijian Jesus Film was recovered!

Now here's the icing on the cake.... The 18 year old boy who stole the computer was apprehended, as was the technician who "fenced" the computer and deleted the hard drive, and also the pawn shop owner. The police brought the boy to the office to confirm how he had stolen the computer (just a chance/"fluke" thing, nothing planned in advance -- he just walked into the office and saw the computer and snatched it). While in the office today he got to talking to the recording team about what they were doing with the computer and one of the team, Kim, shared the gospel with the boy
and he prayed to receive Christ!

I know you will rejoice with us over this great news! Thank you so much for praying! Since Satan has tried so hard to sabotage this project, imagine the impact this film is going to have!

Serving Jesus with you,

Wes Brenneman

***********************************

So isn't that a great Easter story...

The Jesus film master was stolen and deleted (kinda like "crucified and buried") and several days later, God raised it up again!

Oh me of little faith!!!

I have been having some fun thinking of headlines for this story...

"Robber takes Jesus out...and Jesus brings robber in!"

"Jesus (film) crucified and resurrected."

"Can't keep a good man down...or a good movie!"

Rejoicing this Easter...

Notice the "Proud Sponsor" at bottom of banner

2007-04-01T23:06:00.000+10:00

2007 Surf Life Saving Championships

2007-04-01T22:57:00.000+10:00

A small AIA team was in Perth last weekend for the 2007 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. The Lord did some phenomenal things over the entire week.

Terry Legg, AIA worker and team leader for Life Saving Chaplaincy, was (as usual) the driving force behind this tremendous outreach. I was privileged to watch him work his special “magic” with the Life Saving Community. Here is a brief report from Terry with a few of my own observations in closing…

Hello Everyone,

God is so gracious to allow us to work for him. We had good volume of contacts at the Aussies both in content and quality. Many heard the gospel and a lot asked questions. The (annual sunrise ecumenical) service was held in the amphitheatre where the beach cricket finals were held. The attendance estimates were between 700 and 1000. Again we don’t know how many were looking at the big screen or listening at the beach.

The morning service was exceptional. Pastor Margaret Court (former Australian tennis multiple grand slam champion) spoke exceptionally well, His Excellency (the Governor General of Australia) read the scriptures with great passion…and Lachlan Baker sang with conviction.

It was awesome to see people queuing up for (Surf Life Saving Edition) New Testaments at the seven stations we had set up at the exits to the amphitheatre. One of our helpers said he couldn’t open boxes fast enough.

All during the final day of competition people were saying complimentary things about the service…and the work of Life Saving Chaplaincy.

The highlight of the week was the distribution of the special life saving edition of the New Testament with testimonies of well known people in the Australian Life Saving Community. 1600 (fully funded) New Testaments “disappeared” during the week. More than 300 were taken over the first 6 days and the rest on the last Sunday of the service.

Blessings
Terry

The last day distribution of the New Testaments was a highlight for me.

Two of us worked together as a team with one guy carrying a box of 40 and the other approaching each of approximately 30 team tents on the sand dunes overlooking the surf and final competitions. After securing permission from the current “tent boss” we simply asked if anyone in the tent was interested in a complementary copy of the Life Saving New Testament. (Sometimes we would mention it had stories in it about a number of Australian life savers…as well as a story about the greatest life saver who ever lived!)

We experienced a refreshingly unusual response. Most of the people in most of the tents were not only eager to receive a New Testament, some of them were clamouring for them. We distributed every single New Testament that we had taken to Perth (1600).

We are praying for those in this life saving culture to be drawn by their reading into a life saving relationship with Jesus?

Inaburra High School

2007-03-15T16:34:00.000+11:00

Jason and I set out early Wednesday for a long "morning" at Inaburra Christian High School in the southern suburb of Bangor (outside Sydney). The appearance was to honour a promise to Inaburra to provide a clinic for their school if they brought more than 70 people to the Jason Smith Fan Day last November. (I think they were actually top school with over 85!)

We did a last minute preparation and prayer during our 20 minute drive over and then met Lisa (volunteer prayer warrior...and mum of one of the students) at the car park. Checked in and met the Principal of the school and then headed down to the basketball gym which was set up for over 500 students.

Assembly...An unbelievably attentive crowd sat through introductions, my challenge to choose Jesus as their personal champion through life, and Jason's very effective sharing of his life journey...along with the prayer he said to become a Christian (as a model of the "how to"). The feedback was extremely positive...and especially reports that we heard from a couple of students regarding their not-yet-Christian classmates. Jason spent about 20 minutes of a 30 minute morning tea signing autographs. He was basically signing a personal photo/journey story player card published as a joint project of AIA and the Bible Society. With his autograph the card becomes a valuable item to his fans and hopefully they will read his story many times...and therefore think of Jesus often.

Clinics...Jason was superb in two back to back clinics--one for the boys and one for the girls. Basically the basics...dribbling and shooting. Jason said he didn't need to apologise for that since it is what the professional teams still practice at almost every training session. Some good coaching but mostly it was rewarding just to see the kids having fun.

Training session...Jason finished off the long morning with a team defensive training session with the school's senior men's basketball team who have a big inner-school tournament next week.

All in all it was a great day. We have another big outreach type appearance on Saturday night!

There are a couple of amateur photos of the event posted below...

Inaburra Assembly

2007-03-15T16:26:00.000+11:00

"Finger-up-nose" defensive drill

2007-03-15T16:01:00.000+11:00

Inaburra Clinic

2007-03-15T15:55:00.000+11:00

A Couple of Months Gap

2007-03-15T15:31:00.000+11:00

Opps...been a while since I've "(b)logged in"...what's happened???

Trip to California to visit my parents, children, and grandson over Christmas...

Picked up on yet another "successful" Sydney Kings' season on our return. No national championship this year, but in the top four teams for the fifth year in a row...and our coach's 18th consecutive appearance in at least the semi-finals of the National Basketball League.I have been asked to officiate at one of the player's off-season wedding which is a real honour for me.

Started a new season with the NSW Waratah's--rugby union. I have "upped" my involvement with the team this year. Still leading a weekly team Bible Study (for three regulars at present) and I have been asked to start attending the weekly support team meeting with the coaches and management.

I am in intense negotiation for a pre-season evangelistic AIA tour in August in Oz between a USA Division 1 Uni All-star Christian Team and several Australian NBL teams (Kings and Wildcats are sure and Hawks, Dragons, and Razorbacks are showing interest).

Jason Smith has committed to working off-season on a number of evangelistic outreaches.

The Game

2006-11-21T23:12:00.000+11:00

During the game...before the spiritual battle for eternal life.

An Excited Audience

2006-11-21T23:05:00.000+11:00

Jason addressing a bit more than half the remaining crowd (estimated at 2500) while the Kings listen during their cooling off stretches.

Team Effort

2006-11-21T23:00:00.000+11:00

A backup squad of others who love the King of Kings...left to right...Debbie King (Athletics), Ric Chapman (Sports Journalist and Author), Steven Meredith (Sydney Roosters), Allison Shreeve (World Champion Windsurfer), Jeremy Rolleston (Winter Olympian Australian 2-Man Bobsled), and Marty Wilson (NSW Waratahs).

Carla and the Captain

2006-11-21T22:55:00.000+11:00

Jason providing some support for Carla as she shared from her heart.

Jason sharing the Good News about Jesus with the audience.

King and Servant

2006-11-21T22:26:00.000+11:00

Rodney Elliott declares his love for the King of Kings...His King--Jesus!

The Team Chaplain prays for those who responded to the message.

14 Hours "after the fact"

2006-11-19T14:07:00.000+11:00

18 November...Firepower Sydney Kings Jason Smith Fan Game...

What a great night…basketball and blessings from God !!!

With the fan base of almost 4000, bolstered by an additional 1721 near-rabid fan night supporters, the Sydney Kings won a huge game against Dragons by four points in overtime!

The coach had a game plan, the captain--Jason Smith--lead well, and the team responded with heart and enthusiasm.

More importantly (from an eternal perspective) at least seven people (of the several thousand who stayed after the game) indicated that they had asked Jesus to come into their lives after hearing Jason’s journey story and brief explanation of the Good News about new life in Jesus.

Six minutes after the game, the basket was lower at one end of the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Brian Goorjian, the head coach gave a brief welcome and gave Jason a glowing (and probably unnecessary) introduction. Seven other professional and world class sportsmen and sportswomen, including one of Jason’s teammates (Rodney Elliot) lined up behind Jason and each took the microphone to tell the quieting crowd that like Jason, they loved the Kings…and the King of Kings.

It was especially powerful and touching to have Jason’s wife (Carla) stand with the others and tell the crowd that she loved the Kings…the King of Kings…and the captain of the Kings. She told how Jason’s faith had been a rock for her recently as they have recently been through major illness, a move, and renovation hell. When she choked up a bit, Jason came and put his arm around her and they both won everyone’s heart.

The captain then got about business and shared briefly how he had come to Christ at what was then the height of his career. He was far from “down and out”…everything was going well for him but he suddenly realized that wasn’t enough. There must be something more to life. With that awareness he gave himself to Christ in a simple bedside prayer.

Jason concluded the post-game programme with a brief explanation of the saving work of Jesus on our behalf…and the “how to’s” of responding to Him. He asked everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes in respect for those who might also want to say a simple prayer of response to Christ right then. In addition to those who indicated a response by a show of hands, a nine-year old boy came up to me afterwards and told me that he had “said the prayer”.

I realized that from an eternal perspective that one small “win” was worth far more than the Kings win against the Dragons. What a privilege for us to be involved in such weighty matters!

The audience was extremely receptive and positive about the evening and the programme. It was especially encouraging to have the entire Kings team on the court behind Jason doing their normal warm-down stretches and listening carefully to the message. I had both fans and Kings management asking me when we were going to do it again.

12 Hour Countdown

2006-11-18T10:38:00.000+11:00

If all goes according plan…in exactly twelve hours from putting fingers to keyboard…

The captain of the Firepower Sydney Kings will have just concluded a 20 minute message of hope with over 3000 fans following an exciting game against the South Dragons.

Jason Smith (also captain of the Australian National Team—the Boomers) will be standing on the court addressing over 1700 fans who came to hear his journey story of faith…and hopefully thousands more who only came to see a game but will walk away having had the opportunity to experience God’s love personally.

I will report more details in the next couple of days. So many “God things” have happened already with this event, that I am trusting Him to truly manifest his glory tonight through a simple message by a faithful servant.

There is an “interview” story with Jason about the programme…and his intentions with it…as the feature story on the Kings website at…

www.sydneykings.com.au

18 November--Jason Smith Fan Day

2006-11-01T19:09:00.000+11:00

Immediately after the regular season game between the Firepower Sydney Kings and the South Dragons... Jason Smith, the Captain of both the Kings and the Boomers (our Australian National Team) will be sharing his journey story of faith in Jesus from the court with any fans who choose to stay back and listen.

In anticipation of a positive and refreshing look into the inside life of a professional basketball player and follower of Jesus, Sydney schools and churches are encouraging their people to swell the ranks of the Kings fans. Those groups involved are able to purchase tickets for just $10 per person. The Kings have promised to provide a free clinic to any school that can sell 70 tickets for this game. Interest is high in many schools.

EXTRA-2 Workshop Group

2006-11-01T19:03:00.000+11:00

EXtreme TRaining Arvo--2

2006-11-01T18:09:00.000+11:00

22 October saw our second EXtreme TRaining Arvo in less than a year. We had approximately 30 professional and elite sportsmen and sportswomen show up to interact on how to better use their personal sporting success as a platform for sharing the Good News with others.

It was extremely exciting to see three professional basketball players (from two different teams)... four rugby league... one rugby union... several hockey... a summer and a (different) winter Olympian... a former boxer... and a tennis player (along with a number of other sports represented) joining together to engage in ministry training for 4 hours.

This year in addition to talking about how to share our journey stories, how to share His story, and how to most effectively use the media to get the message across, we also just sat around a bit and talked about what God had done with us in the ten month since our last training.

The written evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Looks like we are on to a "winner" as far as meeting an unusual niche need. Our thinking is to have another training afternoon in March or April of 2007.

There were several great stories of personal courage and opportunities seized, but one highlight for me was the story of a new "fellowship group" springing up in the rugby league community. After our meeting last year, a couple of the league players started meeting for a bit of fellowship and some praises with a guitar after footie training. As others started to come along and join them the group outgrew the garage where they were meeting and has since outgrown two other venues. The group is called "PowerUp". They presently have up to 200 people meeting on Thursday nights out near Campelltown. At a recent special "outreach" meeting there were over 500 people attending. God is moving in the rugby league world.

Player Prayer at the Blitz

2006-09-13T21:26:00.000+10:00

I had a great time at the recent NBL Basketball Blitz. I spent the weekend with some longtime friends who now live in the host city of Coffs Harbour. Bruce is a Sports Doctor and Sue runs her own interior design business. They were good enough to join me for a number of the games scheduled over the weekend.

The Basketball Commissioner for the NBL had asked some of the chaplains to set up a voluntary prayer meeting or Bible Study for any players that might be interested “sometime” during the blitz. However, when we tried to actually schedule a meeting with the organizers we were informed that the players were too busy with other functions to try to schedule in something else.

Nevertheless, there seemed to be player interest in such a meeting even it were only for half an hour, so we decided to meet after the final game and before the cocktail party at the players hotel. I spread the word to any of the Christian players that I knew of during the final day and actually discovered that there were more Christians than I realized who were playing professional basketball.

As is turned out we had the commissioner, two chaplains, and nine players at the meeting. Two other Christians we know of were not at the Blitz and at the cocktail party I had several others identify themselves…and ask me to be sure to invite them to the next meeting of this nature. All up, there are approximately 15 believers among the 150 (?) players in the NBL. That is a whopping 10% (huge by Australian standards). And we are praying that more will join our ranks this year.

Most of the players are the only Christians on their team…and several of the teams don’t have chaplains…so we are encouraging people to pray specifically for good support for the players and a developing fellowship among them.

Upcoming Events

2006-09-04T23:10:00.000+10:00

Want to get the word out about three big events on the horizon...in order of occurence...

8-9 September...Blitz

NBL Professional Basketball Blitz in Coffs Harbour this year. Three chaplains will be involved in setting up an official prayer meeting for the function.

22 October...EXtreme TRaining Arvo (EXTRA) Sunday...1:00-5:00 pm...

Extreme competition demands extreme training...for "we wrestle not against not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness". A training opportunity for elite and professional athletes hosted by their high profile peers to better equip them to use their sports success as a platform for the gospel. Last year we had 15 sportspeople at our inaugral training session, this year we are planning for many more as the word gets out.

18 November 2006 (Saturday)...Sydney Kings and Jason Smith Fan Day at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Come and see a top game between the Firepower Sydney Kings and the new team in the NBL--the Southern Dragons. After the game join hundreds of others to hear the Kings Captain Jason Smith share his journey story of faith in Christ. Discount tickets and game T-shirts to students are available through their schools.

For more details on these activities see our website... austaia.net (look in the "Stories" and then "News" tabs).

Grief in Goondiwindi

2006-09-04T22:56:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks ago now, I experienced a very sad, difficult, and extremely memorable couple of days in the small outback town of Goondiwindi, Queensland (5,000 people) as together we mourned the loss of two young rugby players in an automobile accident. The prayers of His people and God’s grace truly sustained me in this trying time and I am grateful to my prayer team and to Him.

I had specifically asked people to pray for “the Lord’s heart” in this matter—an unusual and spontaneous request (that I don’t think I have ever asked for in those words).

So, I was overwhelmed (on my second day...out on a family farm) when one victim’s grandmother came up to me and placed her hand on my chest, looked up into my eyes (with tears in her own), and said to me…”you have a good heart”.

I won’t go into details here. I have provided links below to “newspaper” accounts for more information (and photos) of the young men so that you can continue praying for their dear families.

News links regarding the Goondiwindi story…
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20193210-5003411,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20183553-952,00.html

Academy Presentation

2006-07-13T23:58:00.000+10:00

Kings' Academy Kids

2006-07-13T23:44:00.000+10:00

I was asked by the Sydney Kings management to present "my message" to the Kings' Academy last Tuesday. I sensed the Lord's blessing in answer to others' intercession. I was introduced as a "part of the support team who is a tremendous help to the players off court with a lot of positive things to say about life and spirituality."

I used ball games, stories, and quotes from players to add some "zing" to a brief talk on the importance of developing your spiritual life to improve your game. I shared how I had made a commitment (at about their age) to Jesus as both "champion" and "teammate"...and encouraged them to give some careful thought to entering into a relationship with Him themselves.

Each of those (over 40) at the academy received a colourful booklet (Gospel of Mark) which included the spiritual journey stories of several sportsmen and sportswomen including the Captain of the Sydney Kings (Jason Smith).

There were several enthusiastic responses from young players in the cafeteria after the session...and more importantly (to me) a "Perfect!" evaluation from the Academy director. This was a special area of concern for me as I felt the tension of honouring and serving both the Sydney Kings (who trusted me with a half hour of time with these young charges) and the King of Kings (Who trusted me with a half hour of time with these young people).

Our next session (my fifth with the Kings) starts in 72 days, 17 hours, and 5 minutes. Can you tell I'm looking forward to the challenge?

Have you visited our Australian AIA website recently… http://austaia.net

Boomers Gold--Story Behind the Story

2006-04-01T16:04:00.000+11:00

I met with Jason Smith this morning for the first time since our return from the Commonwealth Games. He is still recovering from a very bad cold (probably made a little worse by two or three days of celebration after winning the gold for Australia in basketball at the Games).

Over coffee, he shared this story behind the story with me...and I asked him if I could re-tell it in my blog.

Here it is...

Jason said he "very seldom 'hears' God's voice in everyday matters, but a couple of days before the final (Gold Medal) game he felt the Lord was saying to him...'I'm going to give you something very special'. In the last couple of minutes of the final game with the Boomers behind on the score board, Jason remembered this promise of 'something special'. He told me that at that moment he didn't pray for the answer...he simply trusted God for the promise he had already been given...and a couple of seconds later he hit his first of two three-point shots in the dying minutes of the game. He says it was special because of the result on the game but not really all that special as a shot. It was just what he was trained to do...and depended a lot on the basketball skills he has developed over the years.

A few seconds later however, in the final seconds of the game Jason got another shot opportunity. He claims now that there was no way that his final shot could go in. His feet were not planted right, he was off balance, he did not follow-through...in short, it was a terrible shot...but very 'special' in that it went through the basket for three more points. He strongly believes this basket was a grace gift from God...something special. The Boomers won the game by five points. No doubt it was a team effort...with all the players contributing...but I can't help but wonder if God had more in mind for this game than mere gold.

The day after the win I received an SMS from Jason asking about a church appearance and stating that he had not stopped doing media interviews for 14 hours! I replied by reminding him that "God was honouring Jason for his faith and now it was appropriate for Jason to honour God for His faithfulness. What you did last night won gold for you...what you say today could win eternity for others".

Not an April Fool's Joke!!!

2006-04-01T15:41:00.000+11:00

April 1 today, but I wanted to document some of the exciting things going on last month with the Commonwealth Games.

In short, the Lord blessed us in many ways…some expected (as far as enhancing and developing relationships with known athletes) and some totally out of the blue (for us at least).

I was able to lead one evangelistic basketball clinic for 6 hours one day with a couple of kids showing real interest in the Good News about Jesus and life! It was also important to model Christian love and service to about 20 other young believers who also love basketball.

I also spoke at one coffee house outreach in Ballarat…and at three church services in Melbourne…Presbyterian, Anglican, and Salvation Army!

Can you see me hiding in the pulpit here at Scot’s…my eye level was about 12 feet off the ground level. I see where the expression “talking down at people” probably came from! Surprisingly it was a very warm service of about 200 people who were extremely encouraging and attentive to me as I spoke on II Corinthians 5..."The Name of the Game: Tent or Mansion".

Nevertheless, what I enjoyed most in Melbourne was the “personal work” one on one. I met with Jason Smith from the Boomers (who subsequently won the Gold medal in basketball) for Bible study (in Galations); caught up with Jessica Blake a couple of times to encourage her (she did five or six clinics); and had a great talk with a businessman on the plane regarding the “two” difference between religion and a relationship with God (religion is spelled “D-O”…and right relationship with God is spelled “D-O-N-E”).

The Lord gave us an extra blessing as we were leaving Melbourne. We “just happened” to run into the Samoan Rugby Seven’s team (about 25 people including players and support staff) at the airport and after introducing ourselves as friends of Timo Tagaloa (former Samoan player and now AIA New Zealand) we were able to present each of them with a personal copy of a sports-oriented portion of the gospel with Jess and Jason’s testimony.

I later saw a couple of big burly players reading the New Testament over a burger at McDonalds!

(Two of) The Kings and I

2006-03-05T18:25:00.000+11:00

Here's a older shot of two of my favorite brothers in the world. Jason and CJ both love the Lord Jesus and are not ashamed to tell others about it.

Most recently CJ has been able to discuss the importance of his personal faith in the current issue of "Handle" (basketball) magazine (Mar/Apr 2006) . One full-page shot clearly shows the "praying hands" tatoo (with CJ's favorite verse) on his left arm. He has recently been selected as Captain of the Boomers (our Australian national team) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games where we have a good chance for gold!

Jason has most recently been in the Australian press because of a disagreement with some referees. I am not going to comment on that much here (because I can't afford any forthcoming fines!) but, I do know Jason well and we had a long talk about this incident. Perhaps it is enough to make a general statement... Things are not always what they appear in the press. Personally I am very proud of Jason for the way he handled the whole matter. He certainly didn't let the issue put him off his game--scoring the first 14 points for the Kings in the opening minutes of the first quarter of game three.

Receiving a lot less coverage...as far as a reading audience...but hopefully generating a far more longlasting result in the minds and hearts of others...here is a link to a recent story on Jason...

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/sydneystories/no_time_out_from_god/

What a privilege for me to serve the King of Kings by serving the Kings! Thank you, Lord.

Kings still rule in my book!

2006-03-05T17:32:00.000+11:00

Well, I guess it had to come sometime...this is the first season since I started working with Sydney Kings that they haven't won a National Championship. Last year was their third in a row--and that was unmatched in NBL history.

This year we were top of the ladder on win/loss record at the end of the season, but we all knew it would be tough to beat the Tigers, especially after the injury loss of our "big" (Rolan Roberts). The Tigers had four players on their team taller than our tallest, but we put up a good fight. Only 16 points difference in all three final games combined. (Last year, in our first win of the series there was almost twice that point spread in the first game alone.)

The Tigers were just better this year. But, there's always "next season". Congratulations to them...and "enjoy" it now boys. It will not last forever.

Kudos to Kelly and Smith

2006-02-06T10:22:00.000+11:00

The 2005-2006 regular season for the Australian NBL is now history.

The Sydney Kings have won their fourth straight "Minor Premiership Title" (team with the most wins in the regular season). With several big injuries on the Kings squad, the National Championship is up for grabs! More on that in subsequent blogs...

I wanted to document several different reporters' comments on Christian players in the NBL. Admittedly they are not discussing the personal faith in Jesus that both of these NBL players openly and readily espouse...but the reporters (and some of their readers?) still seem to value the character that springs from that personal relationship with Jesus.

So I am very proud of my brothers Mike Kelly (Wollongong Hawks) and Jason Smith (Sydney Kings) as a result of these newspaper articles appearing in the last couple of weeks...

Re: Mike Kelly (in regard to the search for a coach for the new NBL franchise--the Dragons).

"The search process isolated candidates who showed vision and integrity and Mike was an obvious standout." From…Dragons chairman Mark Cowan talks about the new team’s plans to interview Wollongong Hawks assistant Mike Kelly for the club’s inaugural head coach role next season.

Wow...what a statement...and what a man! I couldn't agree more. Even the “yet-to-be- Christian” world highly values men of integrity and vision.

Re: Jason Smith in an article entitled "Smith ignites Kings to victory over Bullets" From Oz Hoops...by Matt Darcy

"After an exhibition of moving without the ball to make Reggie Miller proud, Smith hit another 3-pointer from his favourite wing spot. Finally, it was Barlow again, leading the break and finding Knight all alone for the dunk. This made it 41-33 Brisbane and forced Joey Wright to call for time.Over the next 5 or so minutes, Brisbane cut Sydney's lead to 4 - 53-49 - but were rather fortunate to do so. Sydney missed a number of opportunities to extend their lead well into double figures, while Hill and Copeland kept Brisbane in the game with some unlikely (or just plain lucky) points. Smith was looking to assert his authority on this game. He is an unusual star player. Physically, he doesn't stand out and his game is not without flaw. But from the mental perspective, he is without peer in the NBL. Once he sets his mind on picking his team up and carrying them to a lead which will test the mental toughness of the opposition, he rarely fails to pull it off.

I particularly like this quote because Matt (rightly!) acknowledges Jason's character (as well as his behaviour).

Jason was rested in the last game of the season against the Taipans, but will be raring to go for the Finals series.

eXtreme tRaining arvo

2006-01-04T12:43:00.000+11:00

I am very late in making this entry (it happened "last year" already!)...but wanted to get something on the blog regarding our "eXtreme tRaining arvo" since it went so well.

First…and most important…I want to thank God for His gracious answer to specific and extra-ordinary prayer! Those attending believe that God was really at work. It is always difficult to assess the outcome of a training session since the only real success is in applying the attitudes and skills learned, however the immediate feedback was exceptional.

On Sunday arvo (afternoon)...11 December 2005...a number of professional and elite sports personalities from the Sydney area met together to engage in "eXtreme tRaining" in how to better use their sports success as a platform for the good news message of Jesus. As far as I know there hasn’t been a training opportunity like this in Australia (cross-sport…and specifically for professional and elite sports personalities) for many years. Certainly one of the comments I heard repeated by those attending was that they had never been exposed to such specific (and helpful) training.

Our sessions included:

Back to the Basics--Identifying essentials in sports mission
Incarnation -- pre-evangelism --CJ Bruton, Sydney Kings, Boomers
Influence -- evangelism --Jason Smith, Sydney Kings, Boomers
Impact -- discipleship --Marty Wilson, NSW Waratahs
Scoring with your Testimony --Daniel Willis, Bible Society
“Mastering” the Media (Using media ops) --Glenn Daniel, Radio
Winning at all cost (How to share with others) --Gary Speckman, AIA

About 10 days out from the event we had six people confirmed. I was beginning to wonder if the December date would kill off any potential trainees. (I did receive a number of apologies from those who loved the idea, but couldn’t change competition schedules.)

As I was praying about this early one morning, the Lord really impressed me with the question, “What do you most want to see from this time?” It struck me, then, that my own primary desire was to see CJ, Jason, and Marty “presenting” mission skills and awareness to other professional and elite sports personalities. The number they actually “presented to” was not really the issue.

However, since that time the Lord brought along many others…three of them the day before the event…and one (long jumper) who arrived unexpected. Sports people numbered 12 (including 3 women)…and coaches, chaplains, and media people numbered 12…for a total of 24 in attendance
(plus a couple of volunteers).

I was personally very pleased with the initial response…and with the job done by the guys.

One participant wrote in an email early Monday morning…”gday gary…just want to let you and the fellas know that sunday was full on success. God was in charge of sunday and there are a few of us who are seeing the bigger picture of where we are going with all of this. (It) was spot on and you were really used for his purpose.”

I debriefed with Jason and CJ on the way home…and they are eager to do similar training in the future if there is enough interest expressed.

CJ was especially encouraging to me at the Kings’ training session two days later, when he said he had been sharing about the “eXtreme tRaining arvo” with his mum and she was so excited about it that she wants to meet me for coffee sometime and talk about “what’s this good thing happening to my boy?”

NBL All Stars Pregame Prayer

2006-01-04T12:34:00.000+11:00

Received this as a cc to someone else regarding our inaugral official NBL pre-game prayer meeting and thought I would paste it here to "document" the event.

Just thought I'd let you know, that the first Chapel service for the All star game of the NBL was held on tuesday the 27th of December. Gary Speckman led it with each person sharing their thoughts about Christmas, then Gary led a short devotion, an opportunity for communion and a prayer time. Present were Gary and his wife, 2 players from opposing teams, the commisioner of the NBL, and myself. It was a great time, the commissioner was very encouraged saying, it will only get bigger and better, and wanted us to do a chapel service at the finals, the pre-season tournament and next years all star game, and he will put it in the schedule. Praise God for what he's doing in the Nbl this is a unique window of opportunity following on from the successful extereme sports event.

(Thanks to Darren Kingston--Chaplain of the Hunter Pirates)

Christmas Dinner with Three Kings

2005-12-28T13:34:00.000+11:00

Jan and I celebrated Christmas with our Australian family on Christmas Eve (better scheduling for them) and ended up spending Christmas Day with three of the NBL Champion Sydney Kings. So, I guess you could say I celebrated the birth of the King of Kings in the presence of "three Kings of the Orient" (no comments here regarding which character in the nativity scene best suits me!) Well okay...that is stretching it a bit. But we had a great time (both days).

I am finally able to relax a bit now... after being asked to assist with an "official and inaugural" Prayer Meeting as part of the NBL All-Stars Game yesterday (27th Dec). This was at the request of the NBL Commissioner who attended the (very) small meeting along with myself (and Jan), the chaplain for the Hunter Pirates, one player from the Kings (and Aussie All-Stars) and one player (from the World All-Stars). So only six attending but this was with no advertising. We all agreed (and prayed) that it would be the start of something much bigger in God's timing...and with His blessing. We have been asked us to consider putting something together for the pre-season "Basketball Blitz" next year (which will take place at Coff's Harbour in September[?]).

A Wild Wednesday

2005-11-17T09:13:00.000+11:00

Had a great day yesterday and wanted to document it somewhere before the memories fade...

Started much earlier than usual for me with a trip into the city for a 7:00 am Christian businessmen's meeting. I had been asked by one of the members to come along and share some of the stories of my sports ministry and mission but when I arrived I discovered that things hadn't really been set up for me to have any significant time with the group of about 12 guys. They were gracious enough to give me a couple of minutes before the study to distribute some AIA newsletters and prayer cards...and I did enjoy the Bible Study on "Mentoring"...but the highlight of the meeting for me was meeting (and subsequently networking with) one of the usual members who is a Catholic layman on a personal mission to engage Catholic businessmen in financial support of Christian mission. We "stayed after" for about an hour sharing our vision and passions with each other and I sensed a real bond with my forty-something brother. I trust the Lord will bring something from the "chance" meeting (or should I say "divinely orchestrated unknown appointment?)

Picked up (just after noon) with the weekly King's Bible Study at CJ's place..with CJ and Jason present. Jason's wife (Carla) joined us...and one of the other players who comes from time to time (his second meeting in a row). My new AIA colleague Jessica Blake was also able to attend. Jess is on her way up to Queensland for a fundraising promotional dinner next week at Southport Surf Life Saving Club. Anyhow, we were studying Galations 2:15-21 and once again marvelled in God's great grace towards us expressed so wonderously in Christ's death on our behalf...for our sins...that we might be justified. Glory!

After the study, Jason and CJ and I did some preliminary discussion on each of our roles at the upcoming "eXtreme tRaining arvo" that we are hosting for professional and elite sports personalities on 11 December. We are all excited about this and also talked a bit more about who is coming and who we still need to invite.

Had tea with Jess and Jan (Indian...well, it is true that my wife Jan does have some Indian blood in her past--as do I for that matter...but what I meant here was that we went out for Indian food!)...then dropped Jess off at the airport for the next leg of her trip...at the Legg's!

What a refreshing and inspiring co-worker God has provided for AIA Australia in the person of Jessica Blake!!! We are praying that God with raise up her financial support by the end of the year so that she can "get to work" full time with Australian women in sport. While she was here we also had a appointment with a committed Christian brother who is "high up" in a nationally franchised business that has shown financial support for women's causes in the past. He will be taking Jessica's need to the Christian owners of the company to see if they would like to "help"... so we are praying to that end.

After dropping Jess off, we hurried back to the Shire to one of the Bible Study and fellowship home groups run by our church. They had asked us to come and input on one of our favorite topics. We had decided to "tagteam" through the newly revised CCC booklet on how to be filled with and walk in the Spirit. As usual it proved to be a timely topic and stimulated a good and healthy discussion.

Almost collapsed on arrival home 15 hours after leaving. (This is definitely NOT a typical day for me so I don't want to give the wrong impression. In fact, it was so unusual that I even decided to take the time to write about it for a change.)

The funny thing is that after a very early "wake up yesterday" and a relatively late bedtime, my mind (if not my eyes) popped open at 6:00 am this morning with some great ideas that eventually motivated me to roll out of the sack at 6:30 to make some journal entries before I forgot everything I believe the Lord was trying to say to me!

But that's another story for another day.

Kings play Townsville tonight in Sydney marking (Coach) Brian Goorjian's 600th Professional Game. (His winning percentage over a 19-year NBL career is a stunning 69.8 per cent from a 417-181 win/loss record to go with his five championships from 10 grand finals.) I have written a special "blessing" for him which I intend to give him tonight. My prayer is that it will enrich him even more at this special milestone of his life and career.

Up close with CJ Bruton

2005-11-10T11:02:00.000+11:00

It has been my privilege this year (in my fourth season as the Kings team chaplain) to lead a weekly "team" Bible Study with everyone invited (but most frequently attended by Jason and CJ). We had another player join us this week to see what it was like...I guess the real test of the value of the study to him is whether or not he comes again. He seemed to benefit from it...and enjoy it!

Occasionally Jason's wife is able to join us and she is a very welcome addition...a beauty amongst the beasts! CJ's wife is interested...and may join us when work allows. We are studying the book of Galations.

Anyhow, I am very proud of CJ this week. We have been talking and praying about using sports achievement as a platform for sharing the Good News of Jesus love and forgiveness with others. I shared earlier in this blog (in March, 2005) about Jason's journey with Jesus story in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (article still available at the Kings Website listed below...in the News and Events Tab--Media Release 145--written March 18, 2005).

This week the King's official website did a feature on CJ and actually printed at least some of what CJ had said about his faith.

The article appears on the Kings website ( www.sydneykings.com.au) entitled "CJ Bruton – The Son Also Rises" (which title is not in reference to "the other risen Son"...but to the fact that CJ's Dad was also a Hall of Fame Basketball Player in Australia). I have also copied the good bits (from my perspective) right here...

(CJ had an extremely attractive offer (financially) to play in Russia this year...) "However, he had already signed the NBL Proposed Player Payments form, which in effect tied him to the Kings for the next three seasons. Now, like (another player's name omitted), who signed the same form yet bolted for Europe once the Eurodollars were waved under his nose, Bruton could have dug his heels in and held out – especially once officials decided that the PPP form didn’t constitute a contract in their eyes.

But that wouldn’t have been the right or honourable thing to do, and when the Kings advised CJ they would hold him to the so-called ‘Heads of Agreement’, he accepted the decision. Yet, he admits it has been difficult at times.

“It’s been up and down, and there are days where it’s still a struggle”, he says. “But again, my family rallied around me, and it was my strong belief in the Lord that got me through it, that I realised that my path will be taken care of no matter what happens, that down the track something good would come of this”.

(CJ's)...been a part of some great teams and not so great, but the things that have characterised his outstanding nine-year career in the league are consistency and productivity. In Sydney, he’s become a leader of men, someone everyone looks up to as an example of what dedication and hard work can do.

CJ is a committed Christian, and his family is incredibly important to him, especially his wife Jessica. He can’t say enough of what she means to him, both on and off the floor.

“She’s like the backbone”, he says. “She has such a great heart, and she’s been the one who really has brought both my family and her family together. She’s always keeping me on the right path, reminding me that the Lord has given me this opportunity. I rely on my family so much to get me through the tough moments and also be there to cherish the good times”.

Blessings "on ya" CJ!!!

CJ and Jason have both been accepted on our national team squad (the Boomers) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, 2006. I'm praying that they will continue to walk closely to the Lord...and find opportunity to "talk the walk" whenever possible. That they will be strategic infuencers of our culture for our Lord Jesus.

Kings and Servants

2005-10-17T21:01:00.000+11:00

The Sydney Kings are looking quite strong again in the early season...I love the bottomless bench. In the last game against the Tigers (one of the top teams in the competition) we actually gained points in the spread when our "bench" players were on court. It would be interesting to see what would happen if we actually started the bench! I think they would hold their own. What a great bunch of guys to work with.

Several of us are meeting now weekly (after a team recovery session) to study the Bible in depth. We have started on the book of Galations and enjoying it so much that all three of us have been encouraging other team mates to join in with us. A few nibbles but no bites yet.

It has been fun to have the wife of one of the players join us...and another promising to come along!

With my other job, I am in Wollongong with over 120 other Campus Crusade for Christ workers (in conference) talking about the mandate for Jesus' followers to "multiply movements everywhere so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Christ". What a privilege to be with such a high calibre of servants.

Today we honoured the first graduating cycle of the 54:2 Leadership Development process by having them share what they have been learning with the rest of the workers there. The second cycle of the process will begin within the next couple of days.

Return of a King

2005-07-12T12:13:00.000+10:00

Been so caught up in Dante that I have been neglecting other entries at this primary sight.

So a bit of catchup...

Arose early (for me) today at about 5:00 to make a traffic free run to the airport to greet one of our Kings imports. He came off the plane in a T-shirt from the States, so it was probably a good thing that I had taken along a medium-warmth AIA jacket for him to borrow (just in case).

It is good to have him back. He made a huge contribution last year, and we will need him as we work at an unbelieveable fourth national championship in a row.

Half the team is off to the Boomers camp in Melbourne...it looks like we will have a bottomless bench this year.

Dante Musings moving to new blogsite

2005-07-08T22:02:00.000+10:00

I'm having so much fun with Dante right now that I have decided to move my musings to a new blog entitled "Scratching at Dante". Link here or in the column on the left.

http://dantescratchings.blogspot.com

Dante: Inferno--Canto Two

2005-07-08T19:33:00.000+10:00

Thought...

The encouragement of a godly perspective can empower us to renew our resolve and enter the steep and savage path.

Dante: Inferno--Canto One

2005-07-07T10:13:00.000+10:00

Thought...

When facing insatiable beasts of mighty power and cunning it might behove me "to take another road".

Maximsing in Macarthur

2005-07-02T10:59:00.000+10:00

I have finally finished all the requirements for certification as a Life Coach with Future Achievement Australia!

And just in time...nothing like an opportunity to speed you along toward a goal.

Jan and I have been asked to serve as FAA Coaches to "train and support" volunteer coaches (who will in turn coach hand-selected "choice" young leaders in the Macarthur/Campbelltown area of Sydney). The government-assisted programme is entitled "Maximising Potential in Macarthur". We have already had our first intensive training with 50 volunteer coaches... and started meeting with them individually for the first of four person coaching sessions last Wednesday.

It is a privilege to provide some positive input into these young lives...and we are benefiting from their enthusiasm as they learn new ways of interacting with others while journeying toward personal development. The coaches are an interesting mix of educators (both high school and uni level), social workers, and community and church youth leaders. The mix has generated some great interaction!

Quick Trip to Perth

2005-06-13T10:26:00.000+10:00

I made a trip to Perth last weekend on AIA business. Watched four basketball games (Lakeside/AIA teams won all four!) and met with two potential chaplains for the new rugby union Western Force team to be based in Perth. Hooked up with one of our Life Saving Chaplaincy chaplains there in WA and also had lunch with a Motor Racing Chaplain from the States on his way to a big race in China. Also had a chance to speak briefly to the men's State Basketball League team after one of the games--sharing my conversion story--which took place so long ago now that I sometimes have trouble remembering it! Got into a wild card game on Sunday night with about 13 others hanging around the Toby's place. Busy weekend, but very enjoyable.

Congratulations to the Waratahs

2005-05-30T10:27:00.000+10:00

What a tremendous season for the NSW Waratahs...and an exciting Grand Final in Christchurch.

I think if we would have had another 10 minutes we might have won. The true champions were out there playing on the field when it seemed certain they would lose. I would not have been any prouder of them if they had won!

I am proud to know each of these guys personally and they are a fine group of men as well as a championship team. I will sincerely miss the men who are moving on but wish them God's richest blessing and pray for them (as I tell them frequently) that God would use their rugby career and the lessons they learn on and off the field to move them closer and closer into a relationship with the One who loves them--whether they win or lose.

Some Light from the Old Book

2005-05-28T10:18:00.000+10:00

Enjoyed this reminder from Proverbs this AM...

"My son, pay attention to what I say;listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight,keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart,for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth;keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead,fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left;keep your foot from evil.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge." Prov 4:20-5:2 (NIV)

A lesser known translation that I appreciate says...

"Keep my words deep within your heart...for they are the secret to life for those who know them. They bring health to the whole body...Keep your eyes focused on what is right. Be careful what you do...Be careful to use good sense." The Everyday Bible

Or even just what my heart says in response...

"I need to guard my heart and my eyes...and do what is right."

Compassion Challenge

2005-05-12T20:57:00.000+10:00

Two Sundays ago, one of our pastors asked those in the congregation to accept a Compassion Challenge and make small step efforts influencing those around us in the everyday world by being open and up front about our faith...even something as simple as praying before a meal at a restaurant. I accepted the challenge and gave him my email address as accountability.

A couple of days later I received this email from him as a reminder of my commitment...

"I really appreciate your willingness to step forward out of Sundays message. I believe that individuals need to step forward in faith and for our church to see that God will honour our faithfulness to just be obedient to His call. We must live out our faith and relationship with Him in the everyday aspects of life.Please let me know how you go with this challenge. Wether you simply say grace at a restaurant, read your Bible at work or in coffee shop or park, listen to worship music in a car with others in it whatever. I really want to hear your experiences.

Can I encourage you: with a quote from Oswald Sanders: A great deal more failure is the result of an excess of caution than of bold experimentation with new ideas. The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution! "

*********

So...a couple of days later I sent him these stories that he had requested. (He thought they were encouraging, so I thought I would add them to the blog!)

*********

Subject: Re: Compassion Challenge

1) Read my Bible (instead of my novel) while waiting in a public place for an appointment.

2) Chose a table at a food court with someone already sitting there for a follow-up appointment with a new Christian (rugby player). The older gentleman at the table either heard the entire appointment (on "assurance of salvation")...or he was deaf!

3) Thinking perhaps it would generate more awareness if I were to actually sing a praise song out loud on the train into work (instead of just reading my Bible) but have to admit I decided against it (using the rational that I seek to make the gospel as "winsome" as possible and my off key screeching would probably be counterproductive.)

4) Got in to very brief discussion with a taxi driver about the Lord (and his criticism of "the church") ...which ended quite abruptly when we arrived in record time...but gave him a gospel booklet with a $2 tip. I told him the next time somebody said something negative about Christians I wanted him to remember that there was one time when a Christian gave him a $2 for a $6 fare so it wasn't really true that all Christians want is your money.

High Flying Thoughts

2005-05-02T10:18:00.000+10:00

Couple of thoughts here (from the minds of others) that must have some application for me as a life coach...

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."
- Michael Althsuler

My friend asked his father-in-law, a crop-duster, how his day had gone. "It was the worst day of my life," replied the man. "This morning I was up in my plane dusting a field when I nicked a power line and damaged the wing of the plane. When I got back to the office, my boss chewed me out. Then the guy from the FAA chewed me out. On my way home, I stopped off at a bar and was handed a warm beer. So I yelled at the bartender, 'Don't you have any cold beers?' The bartender said, 'Sorry, but we've been out of electricity all day ever since some idiot crop-duster hit a power line down the road.'"
-Essie Conley

Thinking Long Term

2005-04-29T07:04:00.000+10:00

An interesting thought for the day...

"I have discovered I must think long term. I can accomplish more than I ever dreamed in 10 years, even if my short-term goals go unmet. Learning this lesson allows me to go at a sane pace, rather than frantically trying to do everything now. It also allows me to set realistic goals and deadlines while building something that lasts. A mushroom grows in six days; an oak tree grows in 60 years. Which do you want your ministry to produce?" - Brad Johnson

In my life coaching I have found a very simple suggestion in regard to "balance" has been liberating in regard to my obsessive self-criticism...

Work toward a balance (in the seven primary roles of life) over a week...instead of attempting to maintain balance over a 24 hour period. Balance isn't necessary a balance in real time invested in each of the roles...there doesn't have to be an hour for hour equation for you to achieve at least a modicum of balance. Ten minutes of prayer can accomplish more than ten hours of work!

Lest we forget!

2005-04-25T10:38:00.000+10:00

It's Anzac Day here in Oz! The march down George Street in downtown Sydney has already been going on for over two hours and I think they are about half way though the units. There is a record turnout of spectators I might add. I am always touched to see the children of "missing" soldiers proudly wearing their grandparents service medals and marching in their proper units alongside his or her former mates.

As an American-born quasi-Aussie it would be remiss of me not to "Remember" (and even say a word on behalf of...) the men and women who gave (and risked) their lives to maintain our national identity and freedom.

Before we moved here to Australia, in December of 1974, I had never even heard of the battle of Gallipolli, the Kakoda Track, and the POW camp at Changi (or the Japanese breakout from the Cowra POW camp for that matter)...what a rich history of sacrifice and service. I honour them all.

Especially today, I am remembering with gratitude, the faithful service of "Fighting Mac McKenzie", a Salvation Army chaplain who served with high honour in both Gallipolli and France. His story, now available in print brought tears to eyes of this "hardened" history buff.

Chaplain Major William McKenzie, MC, (1869-1947) was attached to 4th Battalion, AIF, during the 1914-18 war. He was a man of renowned principle and courage...well known and loved by thousands of frontline soldiers because of his fearless service to them. The troops were the first to refer to him as "Fighting Mac" because of his undefeated prowess in the boxing ring, but his "fight" extended to the salvation of thousands under heavy fire. He was awarded the Military Cross for his personal bravery and spirit of sacrificial service. It was said of Fighting Mac by a contemporary that "Chaplain McKenzie made Christ real to thousands of men. Up and down the fire-swept ridges he followed them, carrying food and water, tramping miles for their mail; by night cutting steps over treacherous patches which the boys must travel in the morning, praying with them, helping them to live, supporting them as they died. Burying literally hundreds of brave lads fallen in battle, he spent far into the night in his dim dugout, writing to their relatives." My favorite story was his baptism of hundreds one day at Anzac Cove during an artillery barrage.

So...Fighting Mac...I thank God for you and your faithful testimony of God's love in the very midst of hell on earth. You are a model to me...I remember you!

Shift in Scenery

2005-04-24T09:13:00.000+10:00

With the Kings finishing up their season (on near impossible high note!) I have found myself with a little more time to pursue my role with the NSW Waratahs...who are also having a great year. A couple of their players however have been in a bit of strife so I am assuming that it doesn't hurt to be "around" and offering support as requested. Did get out to see one young contract player in hospital and had a good visit with him. Also visiting a couple of serious injury players from lower grades so the car almost knows the way to the hospital on its' own.

Had a great opportunity to share my faith with young (20 something) player the other day after a hospital visit. A friend in rugby suggested he ring me and when he did I just happened to be only two train stations from him with about a half-hour before lunch hour...so within an hour of his call we were sitting down having a chat. The words he used to explain his difficult situation were..."morals", "guilt", and "forgiveness". I suggested those sounded like "spiritual issues" to me and would he be willing to explore some spiritual answers instead of social or psychological (which he had found inadequate so far).

When he readily agreed, we had a great conversation about how to enter into a personal relationship with God. After checking to make sure that he really understood the "theory" and then the "mechanics" (of HOW to become a Christian)...I suggested the next question he needed to answer was "when" do you want to do this. After suggesting two options (give it some time and thought in order to answer any more questions...or jump in right now), he said "I want to do that right now".

So he did!

3-peat Now History

2005-03-22T11:24:00.000+11:00

Well...God bless 'em...the Kings did it...and in style! First ever NBL 3-peat (three national championships in as many years) and by winning the first two games of the best two out of three against Brisbane in semi-finals...and the first three games in the best three out of five game series in the Grand Final...frst game won by 23 points...second game (in Wollongong) by 25 points...third (and final game) by 27 points.

So proud of these young men. It wasn't as easy as it might sound. The team did not have the same star players that they won the second championship with last year. There were several major injuries during the season and the team didn't really gel as a force until the semi-final round. They lost the penulitmate game of the regular season to Wollonong by over 20 points.
(21 February posting).

In all of the excitement I am probably more thankful however for the opportunity the win will bring for others to hear about the abundant and positive life that Jesus offers the world--even professional basketball players!

For several months now Jason and I have been praying about media opportunities where he could "share his faith" in Christ with others without seeming to be opportunistic or pushy. We had some preliminary discussions on how to answer media questions then prayed for reporteres to ask some appropriate questions. Little did we realize the chance would come one day before the Grand Final when Jason was interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald. The entire story was "reprinted" on the Sydney Kings website at www.sydneykings.com.au (Title: "Spiritual Leader Led by King of Kings")

Standing on the court in the midst of celebrations after the winning game (and we had to shout in each other's ears to hear) we both agreed that Jason's "supernatural" game of 38 points and 12 rebounds was a matter of God's honouring his earlier public testimony of faith. So proud of him.

Preparing for Game Three

2005-03-17T10:45:00.000+11:00

I've been to the Kings training sessions twice this week and I can assure you that they have not let up in the least. In fact, I can't remember being to sessions before that have had such sustained intensity. Things are looking good right now with a recovery day today (Thursday) and (possibly) the final training of the year on Friday AM...with the game on Saturday--looks to be a sell-out (first one of the year).

I had a short talk with Jason yesterday about his uni classes...and prayed with one of the guys (at the side of the court) regarding his injury. We're simply asking that the Lord will give him what it takes to get through the championships so he can recover in off season. Also talked with Wheels about what the Lord was saying to me in regard to my ministry role (he brought it up!). I had a great time over lunch with one of the other players talking about how he could know God personally. It was a very relaxed question and answer time while sharing stories from our lives with each other. He said he was beginning to understand a lot better how Christianity was more about a personal relationship with God than it was a commitment to doing things like reading the Bible and going to church.

What a privilege for me to have this time to input with these young men.

Go the Kings!

Grand Final--Second Win to Kings

2005-03-14T17:57:00.000+11:00

Well, only one to go!

The Kings ventured boldly into the heart of the Hawks territory--at the SandPit--Sunday avo.

Despite the overwhelming crowd support for the hometown team, the Kings just seemed to pick up where they left off last Friday. After taking their initial jump into the lead they were able to maintain momentum by the final buzzer to win by 25 points.

Hard to single out individual effort, as each one (including the bench) made a significant contribution...and the entire bench played some minutes.

Behind the scenes, Jason did some more good work on recurring development project. CJ did well inspite of his injury (evidently Goorj told him he was going to have to play through the pain until this was over). Had a photographer from World Wide Challenge (US-based Christian publication) who arranged a press pass and came in after the game to get some shots of the team. He is working on a story about how Jesus changes lives.

Due to my ill-timed travel arrangements, I arrived late to the pre-game coaches talk and our usual time for prayer with those who want to pray. Jason grabbed one of the guys before the pep talk and they had a short prayer together. Encouraging for me to see this taking place even when I'm not there!

The "boys" were on a high as the left the Sand Pit (and rightly so!). It will take a huge effort for Wollongong to win all three of the next three games (two of them in Sydney)...and the Kings would prefer to win the final game at home (for the celebration of course)...so the season could wind up by Saturday night at the Entertainment Centre.

Grand Finals--First Win to Kings

2005-03-12T13:01:00.000+11:00

What a huge game!

After losing two of our three encounters with the Hawks in regular season...and the most recent one was a substantial loss...it was really important for the Kings to win the first game of the Grand Final Series last night. It would help even more if they could win big time...

...and they did!

Following Jason's "sterling leadership" (quoting one of the King's support staff) the Kings showed a team to the Hawks that was up a gear (or two) from the last game. We have peaked at the perfect time with a 23 point win in the first game.

More importantly to me is the personal growth and development of the players as men...

...For the three players and two support staff that join in our pre-game prayer it is encouraging to hear them petition the Lord for His helping them to do their best.

...For the guys on the team that are still involved in a "pre-Jesus" aspect of their spiritual journey, it is encouraging to see them showing more and more interest (some even reading Bibles), and expressing appreciation for intercessory prayer in regard to their injuries.

...For Jason in particular (who has expressed his willingness for me to use his name "publically") I have been truly blessed to see God working a deep work in his life in regard to practical outworkings of his faith on court. He is having significant victory in regard to issues that frequently sideline Christian competitors. On the way home last night, he shared three specific instances in the game where he intentionally turned his thoughts (and intended actions) over the Lord and chose to approach the problem differently. Lest this be perceived by some as stiffling his game...he scored twice as many points as any of the Hawks players.

In my opinion, even if they would have lost the game these guys are winners...big time champions!

So on to the Second Game in Wollongong on Sunday avo. It will be tough there!

I'm praying for CJ Bruton (especially) as he is dealing with ongoing injury that could influence his game.

Reminders from a great coach

2005-03-09T11:28:00.000+11:00

I recently ran acoss this quote from one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. Thinking about sharing it with those players who come along to our pre-game prayer meeting before the first game of the Grand Final Series against Wollongong on Friday night.

One of the building blocks in Coach John Wooden's pyramid of success is competitive greatness. Coach Wooden states, "We don't have to be superstars or win championships to reach competitive greatness. All we have to do is learn to rise to every occasion, give our best effort and make those around us better as we do it. It's not about winning. It's about learning to give all we have to give."

Go the Kings!!!

Down to Kings and Hawks

2005-03-07T16:05:00.000+11:00

Well, it's "moneytime" in the NBL.

Down to the Kings vs the Hawks for the best three of five in the 2005 Grand Final Series.

With family commitments I didn't see the Kings/Brisbane Game 2. I was concerned that some of the Bullets might see themselves as self-appointed spoilers of the Kings success by laying on the odd intentional career-ending cheap shot. (What a cynic I am becoming?)

Although CJ evidently had a tough night physically, Jason assures me that it was nothing really unusual in the injury and he will be playing in the finals starting on Friday.

Hope to get down to see the boys tomorrow at training but also need to do some development with the ARU in North Sydney so might find it kinda hurried. One of the Kings is showing increased interest in the Bible now that he has started to read a modern translation. Hoping we have some time to chat before it's "all over" (for this year at least...on or before 23rd March).

Kings into Grand Final

2005-03-05T10:55:00.000+11:00

For the third time in as many years the Sydney Kings are into the Grand Final NBL Championship. A "3-peat" would make basketball history in Australia.

I haven't talked to any of the players yet but couldn't go to bed last night until I checked the internet for the results of the second game against Brisbane in the playoffs...after finding that they had won (in spite of Brisbane's home court advantage) I couldn't go to sleep!

The news report said several referee calls were questioned by the home crowd but it was still a Kings "W" and now we just have to wait to see if we play Townville or Wollongong in the Grand Final (I would tip Wollongong).

Back to Basketball

2005-03-04T17:02:00.000+11:00

I recently suffered through a 10 day withdrawal (from "hoops rush").

Since the Kings won their third minor premiership in a row, they didn't have to compete in the first round of sudden death playoffs in the NBL. The thinking in the dressing room was that the rest could be both positive and negative. Rest can help you prepare physically for a game, but the "do or die" playoff games can hone a hungry team and help them gain momentum.

So the game plan in the first of our possible three games against Brisbane was to get ahead and hang on...slowing momentum by good defense. Which is essentially what happened last Tuesday night. The boys came out firing and got the first points on the board and never looked back. At one point it looked like we could possibly win by 40 points. As it turned out, it was only 34.

Now the concern is that Brisbane, playing tonight to keep their chances alive for at least one more game in the season (and to gain back a little "pride") will be hard to beat on their home court. Should be a good one!

As always, I'm praying that every player will play his best, be protected from injury, and will (regardless of the outcome) find the experience of the game bringing him closer and closer to the Lord.

Good Friends and Good Memories

2005-02-28T08:05:00.000+11:00

Jan and I traveled across town on Saturday for a bbq with several friends that we have known for thirty years. Actually it was a mini-reunion of three old friends and their spouses (spice?).

Great time catching up and seeing how the Lord is working in our lives. He is good! One couple are returned missionaries, one a Bible teacher at Moore College, and the other is a prayer warrior deep in the heart of the commercial world--reaching her business world with the Good News. (And we were there too.) All of us have been through some hard times over the years but (as one of my favorite gospel blue grass song goes) "we're still here"...because of His great grace and faithfulness.

Everyone gets old (and dare I say it...eventually dies). Mortality rate in Australia in 2004 was still at 100%. But I can't begin to imagine how those who don't know Christ personally deal with the relentless march towards "that day". I can only keep on because of the promise of joy set before me. Being with him (there) becomes more and more desirable...so that it eventually outweighs wanting to stay here.

A Big Perspective

2005-02-27T17:44:00.000+11:00

On the following Monday, my "deep" thoughts on winning and losing at basketball games received a severe reality bite when I attended the funeral of the 19 month old son of one of our missionaries. Owen didn't wake up from a nap a couple of weeks ago. The family returned to Australia from the field to support their extended family and to bury little Owen in the family plot in country New South Wales.

The pastor (a friend of the parents) shared how this was serious business. If Owen's death didn't cause those present to do a check on their own mortality and need to get things right with God...what would it take? Both father (eulogy) and mother (testimony) shared how much Owen meant to them and thanked God for loaning him to them for even such a short time. His mother shared how grateful they were for his presence even if it meant great hurt and sorrow...and that the former far outweighed the latter.

Now talk about "perspective" when it comes to "losing". Kinda puts basketball a little lower on the ladder of priorities.

A Little Perspective

2005-02-21T17:39:00.000+11:00

On Friday night I travelled down to Wollongong to be with the Kings for their last regular season game with the Hawks (and penultimate game of the season). I was feeling pretty good about the game when I sat down and pretty bad when I went into the dressing room after the game. Thought: Losing a game is hard.

On Saturday I chose to spend the evening with my wife. I was feeling pretty apprehensive about the Kings final game of the season when I laid down (without checking the internet for the boxscore)...and pretty good when I read early the next morning that we had won the game against West Sydney...and secured the third straight minor premiership in three years.
Thought: Winning is a lot easier to deal with.

Third Thought: Probably not a good idea for me to bet on how I feel!

UK Billy's Visit

2005-02-15T15:43:00.000+11:00

I invested a very enjoyable afternoon on Monday with a sports chaplain from the UK who is traveling on a grant from a secular trust to research the value of chaplaincy to sporting clubs.

I think it's great that there is such a developing interest in the spiritual side of a player's life.

Anyhow, thanks for the time together Billy! We shared a long talk at Starbucks...and a longer walk around the Opera House and Rocks area, visited a couple of Rugby Bars--just to pay "homage" of course--stopped by Krispy Kreme (doughnuts) for a sugar fix and strolled through Darling Harbour. Ended a most encouraging avo with some prayer and promises of keeping the network working.

After Effects of Singapore

2005-02-09T15:31:00.000+11:00

I forgot to mention in my former Road Trip "ramblings" that we were invited to the Australian High Commission for a function on Australia Day while we were in Singapore. I had so much fun chatting with a number of different guests that I hardly ate any of the beautiful finger food provided in great abundance.

I met a couple of US Coast Guard officers who were on permanent duty assignment in Singapore. While the three of us were talking together with a Singaporean "socialite", she asked what my role was on the team. When I told her I was the chaplain she almost choked on her drink. Her first audible reply was "I didnt know basketball was that dangerous! Have you had to deal with many deaths?" As I went on to explain how more and more professional sports were seeing the benefit of someone who could help the athletes in their spiritual quests (and thus enhance their lives...and possibly even their "game"), one of the Coast Guard officers kept nodding his head in agreement. Found out later his father was a long serving chaplain in the US Navy.

Just before leaving I started chatting with a Singaporean government official and we really seemed to hit it off, but we got the call for the players to return to the bus before I could shift the conversation to spiritual matters. I told my new friend that I wasn't really sure about the proper protocol at the High Commission in regard to exchanging information, but would he "be offended" if I were to give him a small booklet that might help him on his spiritual journey. He was very gracious in receiving the "Knowing God Personally" booklet with profuse thanks and we said a quick "goodbye".

Several days later I received an email from my friend saying..."thanks very much for the booklet on "Knowing God Personally". I found it very enriching and helpful."

To which I replied with (a little bit longer note) saying...

"What a pleasant surprise the receive your email today. I have great
memories of the function and the Australian High Commission last
Australia Day...and I especially enjoyed meeting you.

The famous historian Arnold Toynbee once said, "Most people haven't
really rejected the person of Jesus. They have pieced together a straw
man, put a sign saying 'Jesus' around it's neck, then proceeded to tear
it apart and finally said, 'This man has no relevance to me.'" And I
would concur, rightly so...our misconceptions about the person of Christ
usually don't have much relevance. The tragedy is that (rather than
explore the authentic message about Christ from the New Testament
historical documents) we simply "stop" (or postpone) our investigation
after we have "dismantled" the counterfeits.

Anyhow (friend), that's why I like to suggest via the "Knowing God
Personally" booklet, that the starting point of a successful spiritual
journey with Jesus is in actually "meeting him". The booklet explains
that rather simple (almost too simple?) process in the prayer of
invitation on page 13. Millions of people around the world...regardless
of gender, race, or nationality (and even regardless of religious
background) have found the common denominator in their walk with God is
a heartfelt prayer similar to the one here...where a person simply asks
Jesus to come into their lives.

He delights in responding to this invitation...and enters into a
relationship with us that will last for eternity. I am praying for
you...that when the time is right for you, that you will also pray this
prayer and enter into God's "forever" family (if you haven't done so
already!).

To which he promptly replied, " I just found out that 2 of my fellow colleagues
also found out about God from the Campus Crusade while studying in Japan. Had the impression that Campus Crusade is exclusive to Australia. I'm happy to tell you that I've not only accepted Jesus but he is alive and kicking in all aspects and facets of my life.

I really appreciate you giving me the "Knowing God Personally" booklet. Prayer is a really powerful tool to communicate with God.

Thanks very much for your prayer and am pleased to inform you that
I'm already in God's "forever" family. :-) I feel so blessed to be able to
know God."

I found it interesting to reflect on the fact that even with several hundred people meeting together at a secular function with a very small timeframe window, God sometimes draws Christians together for fellowship and mutual encouragement.

I am continuing to write to my new friend (and brother) and we plan to get together for coffee and chat again sometime--even if we have to wait until we get to "glory".

Road Trip Reflections

2005-01-31T15:46:00.000+11:00

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?

Kings Road Trip--Day Eight

2005-01-31T15:35:00.000+11:00

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!

Day Seven--Continued

2005-01-31T15:10:00.000+11:00

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.

Kings Road Trip--Day Seven

2005-01-29T10:34:00.000+11:00

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.

Kings Road Trip--Day Six

2005-01-28T16:11:00.000+11:00

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!

Kings Road Trip--Day Five

2005-01-28T15:42:00.000+11:00

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.

Kings Road Trip--Day Four

2005-01-26T15:12:00.000+11:00

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.

Kings Road Trip--Day Three

2005-01-26T14:50:00.000+11:00

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.

Sydney Kings Tour--Day Two

2005-01-23T21:59:00.000+11:00

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.

Kings Road Trip North--Day One

2005-01-22T20:21:00.000+11:00

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.

Mogolian BBQ--Main Course

2005-01-06T14:00:00.000+11:00

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?

Indeed! Thanks, Rich, for sharing the story with me.

Vicarous Mongolian BBQ

2005-01-03T11:15:00.000+11:00

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.

Christmas Thought

2004-12-24T11:07:00.000+11:00

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!

Another Cardiac Arrest by the Kings

2004-12-18T11:38:00.000+11:00

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"!)

Rugby Induction Camp

2004-12-18T11:33:00.000+11:00

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.

Big Win Against Current # 1

2004-12-06T15:42:00.000+11:00

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.

Wollongong Tonight!!! Bring 'em on!

2004-12-04T13:12:00.000+11:00

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.

2004-11-12T11:22:00.000+11:00

Kings and Servant in NZ

On Tour with the Sydney Kings

2004-11-12T10:57:00.000+11:00

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!

Rescue 2004 Revisited

2004-10-30T11:43:00.000+11:00

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."

Oz AIA in Italy

2004-10-29T11:19:00.000+11:00

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.

Smith Shines Again

2004-10-19T01:29:00.000+11:00

"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

Jason and crew after "the shot"

2004-10-17T10:51:00.000+11:00

Photo courtesy of Cathy Cranston (copyrighted)

Sydney Kings start trail to the ThreePeat

2004-10-17T09:34:00.000+11:00

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???

Opps!!! Ten Days to recover...and catch up?

2004-10-17T09:23:00.000+11:00

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.

Survivors--Moree on the last day...

2004-10-16T16:56:00.000+11:00

...minus a few who were too tired for photos!

An Early Morning Start

2004-10-16T16:53:00.000+11:00

...leading the daily "stretch".

My 3 favorite world class soccer players!

2004-10-16T16:51:00.000+11:00

...at the clinic with guys.

Final Day in Moreeeeeee (Day Seven)

2004-10-06T23:20:00.000+11:00

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.

More on Moreeeeee (Day Six)

2004-10-03T22:38:00.000+11:00

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!

More on Moreeeee (Day Five)

2004-10-02T21:30:00.000+10:00

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!

More on Moreeee (Day Four)

2004-10-01T16:59:00.000+10:00

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!

Moree--Day Three...or Moreee?

2004-09-30T17:04:00.000+10:00

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.

Moree Meanderings

2004-09-29T15:56:00.000+10:00

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.

Gabbing in the 'Gong

2004-09-25T17:08:00.000+10:00

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!

Thoughts on behaviour and values

2004-09-24T08:07:00.000+10:00

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.

Athens Revisited (Again): Sequel 2

2004-09-23T23:10:00.001+10:00

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!