A Tennis Missionary remembers

Unexpected, expected death.

Be prepared..

A pro tennis player's brother passes away unexpectedly during the French Open.  A father dies during Wimbledon.  A sibling dies in a traffic accident after we spend time together during the US Open.  A coach's son falls and dies during the Australian Open.  A father comes to our fellowship meeting at the US Open and, as expected, passes away within a year from cancer.  During Wimbledon, a different father has been told by doctors he has inoperable cancer and has only a few months to live.

All these players have loved ones who are missed during the holidays.  These are not some stories that we read about in the news.  They are about real people with real lives.

A nurse informed the three, clearly distressed, family members, who had just arrived at the hospital, that the man had died.  The wife was then handed a small plastic bag and inside was the wallet, wedding ring and watch of this husband and father.  At that moment I realized that is all we take away.

You could be next.  What can you do?  Prepare yourself.  Think about your life after you pass away.  Where will you go?  What will happen to those who love you and are left behind?  How will your passing impact those who love you?  Make plans now for your passing.  Make a will.  Purchase a burial plot.  Keep your personal papers in order. Give to others now, not later.  Spend time with someone you know who has lost a loved one this year.  Remember, the Christmas holiday is to be spent in remembrance of Christ but also with those you love and those who love you.

All together.

Be patient

At any given time four to six of the eight world number one tennis players or teams sit at several tables in the players area at a tournament.  I must say it is a very odd feeling for me to see then all in one glance. The grouping would be men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, wheelchair men's singles, wheelchair women's singles, wheelchair men's doubles and wheelchair women's doubles.  Then I sit down with each player or team going to each table.  Again, that is a very strange feeling for me.

How did this happen?  It took years of building relationships and friendships with these players.  Why is it important?  Each time I sit with one of these players, I bring in some way the thought of God to that table, where none or very little existed before.  Over a period of time it has an impact of the thinking of that player.

Today, I am able to be received by seven of the eight.  One of the eight, requires wisdom now.  I had good relationship to the player on the basis of the coach, whom I have known for years.  Now the coach is removed.  I need to use wisdom, and sometimes it is best to stay afar, pray and to wait until the circumstances or people change in that persons life.  With another, it took years of patiently waiting until God brought the circumstances to return favorably.

I know that I am in a very unique position.  I am the only person on the pro tour who is able to sit with all the number ones.   I just give credit to God for creating favour and wisdom.  It is also important to understand that circumstances change.  But one thing does not change and that is Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  That is how you and I can get through any changing circumstance by basing our trust, confidence and actions on this Rock.

What we have in common?

What keeps Us going?

A player unexpectedly wins a Grand Slam singles title and becomes the hero of that nation in the 1970's. Another player wins Grand Slam doubles and mixed titles from 1999 to 2006 achieving a number one world ranking. What do they both have in common? - A father who was an Archdeacon of a nation and the other a Godfather who is the Bishop of another nation. They both grew up with a strong Christian heritage but with different nationalities.

This retired player is seemingly very quiet and reserved towards others. I approached boldly but with trepidation wondering if the response to me would be anger or joy and I asked, "I am a Pastor and I work with players and I heard that your Father was a Deacon, is that true?" A big friendly smile was shown to me and the answer was 'Yes". I then explained my working with players spiritually and the answer was "that is wonderful'. Then I asked if "The Daily Verse" could be given, and again a "Yes". We know each other now and I look forward to that next 'smile'.

Another player I met in the mid-1990's at a tournament in Hong Kong and shared the message of Christ. Since this time we see each other frequently at various tournaments around the world and we've exchanged email addresses. A comment to me a few years ago at the French Open always sticks in my mind, "You are always welcome at my table". While our conversations never went deeply on spiritual matters during this past decade, the player was always welcoming, friendly and accepted "The Daily Verse" and any materials that I had. At the US Open, the player sat next to me and spoke on faith for the first time. This came about because I offered communion. The response, "My Godfather is the Bishop" and I always take communion. I always look forward to seeing this players welcoming manner towards me.

These kinds of experiences keep me going. What keeps you going and growing in your belief in your own mind that something is true?

One question I'm asked.

You are not alone!

Most frequent question that I am asked; 'How are you financed?".  The answer for 2007:  $10,000 (businessman); $5,000 (pro tennis player); $3,600 (retired pro tennis player); $2,113 (retired pro tennis player); $1,000 (businessman); $900 (businessman); $500 (pro tennis player); $500 (pro tennis player); $600 (author); $300 (pro tennis player family); $300 (church); $200 (retired pro baseball player family); $127 (business group); $100 (pro tennis player), $100 (schoolteacher)
2007 Expenses - $23,316 USD.

Almost all of this ministry income arrives in November, December and January.

Surely you can find a place in the list above.  You are not alone.

I pray that the number one question to me would be "who is Jesus Christ?".  It seems that people want to know the motvation of the messenger (that's us) before they want to hear the message (that's Christ).  That is called "relationship" discipleship. Let's value that also!