A Tennis Missionary remembers

In Remembrance

Passing the Baton.

I received a Pro Tour tennis player's Christmas message acknowledging those who helped him in life and it begins by thanking God. Reflecting on where your source of help has come from is a very good thing to do while you are on top, and also as you face your end.

I keep telling myself, "Remember those who came before you; those you saw who gave to others; those who willingly sacrificed for others; those who gave freely to you, don't forget them and then finish the race doing the same." If those who helped you can do it, then you can do it! I encourage you to tell yourself - "Go, (your name), go" - and then finish that race. Give your best, then pass your baton to others to continue what you yourself have received from others.

My life has been a long distance race with many mountain tops and only a few valleys.  After fifty-one years, the finish line is within sight.   It may be several years, ten years or even twenty years but the remaining time in my race will be over soon.  One more push, one more breath, one more effort, one more saved soul; these are my own words as I grasp for strength to carry on to that finish line.

In remembrance:

Tennis:
My Father, Roger Kraft (deceased) - allowed me to attend "tennis tournaments" as a junior.
Barry and Martha Nixon - taught me great fundamentals of the tennis game, and the family for inviting me "in".
Gerry (deceased) and Jacki Jerribek - taught me to be an entrepreneur as a early age.
Lyle Snodgrass (deceased) - the school janitor who opened the door for me every day to practice
Steve Contardi - professionalism and tennis camp expertise.
Marian Baird (deceased) - a person can achieve great things despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
Kay (deceased) and Bernie Shubert (deceased) - an interest in me and channeled me in the right directions.
Dr. Alan Meyers (deceased) - recruited me for college tennis.
Lee Jackson (deceased) - introduced me to others in National tennis.
Barbara Williams(deceased) - encouraged me and introduced me to USTA
Eve Kraft (deceased) - helped me in as many ways as she could with placing me among others in national tennis.
Kay and Rich Howe - expertise in club management
Christian Filhol - concepts of world class tennis.

Spiritual:
Orlin Paris - opened the door for me to go into world missions.
Loren and Darleen Cummingham - humility as they impacted millions worldwide for Christ.
Norm and Bobbie Evans - someone great in sports can be a servant to others.
Pastor Tom Streeter - the importance of 'community' in Christ.
Pastor Milton Mead (deceased) - A great Father to his children and a sportsman who was humble.
Pastor Dennis and Kathy Balcombe - live a simple lifestyle and stay focused on one goal.
Pastor Margaret and Barry Court - kind understanding encouragers.
Pastor Paul and Diane Sarchet-Waller - humble in the small ways, step by step.

What should a charity do?

Answers to know.

The Father of a world number one player and I recently discussed that player's charity and how it was set up at Wimbledon.  I heard a lot about how the charity is being set up and did not get much opportunity to give any suggestions.  At the end of our 30 minute conversation, the final was on...

The difference between a good and a bad charity is that the financial gifts go into the staff pockets in the form of salaries or perks or in the case of a good charity towards the purpose of the charity.   Having been involved in NGO's or charities since 1985, I immediately thought of questions that I would personally ask of any charity that I consider supporting.

1.  What is the percentage of the total income that goes toward the actual mission that you are giving to? (100% is possible but 80% is considered acceptable)

2.  Is the statement of the mission clearly stated and do you agree your gift is for this. (Remember, you can also request exactly what you gift is to be spent on)

3.  A financial statement can be provided to you that is audited by a Certified Public Accountant.

5.  Check the public records that it is a government registered charity. (Remember, anyone can set up a charity)

4.  What are the management salaries for many of the top personal and are the salaries drawn from the charity income or from outside support? (It is possible that staff can raise their own support and not rely upon the organization)

5.  Are the management salaries reasonable for those involved in a charity? (Reasonable private sector salaries or less, that is the question each donor must ask themselves.)

6.  What expenses are provided for the top management and are the amounts clearly stated and shown in the financial statements.  (Usually this is the most difficult aspect to analyze as it requires careful analysis, open records and in some cases first hand observations.  You can usually tell a lot by who pays for the staff houses, cars, entertainment expenses, hotels and the airline classes for traveling (i.e. five star, or 1st class) and the luxuriousness of each.)

7. How much of 'todays' money is being set aside for future expansion or projects?  (Do you want your gift to go towards an immediate need or some future 'possible' use?)

It just pays to know what you are giving to, whom you are giving to and the right questions to ask before you jump in.  We've tried to do that with our own ministry.  Remember, give wisely this year.

Why I am out there.

A change.

Remembering untold hours of practicing tennis for decades, every day, for six hours or more without missing a day of practice...Unless you have lived that commitment, it is difficult to realize how deep the commitment goes.

Unknown to me in my youth, God was guiding my tennis for His purposes, providing my finances, a university education, military service, travel and a wife.  Now, I give back my all and my best to Christ, who changed my life for all the right reasons.

Where there was lying, there became truth.  Where there was confusion, there became purpose.  Where there was loneliness, there became joy.  Where there was unfaithfulness, there became faithfulness.  Where there were mistakes, there became correction and forgiveness.  Christ changed the world, and He also changed me.

If God has given you so much through tennis*,  then you have an obligation to give your best back to God through tennis* also.  For believers, it is about bringing others to The Christ.  This is what believers need to invest in, Soul-saving.  Soul-saving changes lives.

* or some other vocation

Lost child.

Before and hope!

Trying to have a baby and not being able to conceive or losing a child at a young age is difficult to understand 'why God, me?' or 'why, God?'.  As I speak on the pro tennis tour I share of God's care for my own family, love, concern, hope and answered prayer. 

Christmas is a time of a birth, families, a Saviour and hope.  I've had all four and would like to share this comfort to others. 

My wife and I married late in life at 30 and 40 years old, respectively. Several years after our marriage, we wanted to have children.  We then had three 3rd-month miscarriages before we had a full term birth.

Mia, my wife, talks about those children to this day. Today, she mentions each individual miscarriage as "I knew that was a boy" or "I knew that was a girl".

We did not share with anyone when Mia became pregnant again; until she began to show in the sixth month.  In the past, we had seen the joy that people had when we shared with them on an upcoming birth and the awkwardness of them hearing of another child being lost.

The Doctor shared with us after reviewing the ultrasound that our unborn child had the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck three times and this is a very dangerous during the delivery leading to brain damage or even death. During the delivery; the doctor carefully unwrapped the cord around the neck during the C-section operation and handed the baby girl to us to hold and touch. 

Today, Ashley is six years old, in grade one at school, healthy, top of her English class and loves Christ.  She plays a tambourine and even dances during the music in church.  Both Mia and I still acknowledge those prayers we made for her birth a long time ago.

Five years later, a baby boy was given to us - Joshua. He is also a blessing to us in our older age.  We named him after the Biblical character, Joshua, who was a great leader of the Israelites in the Old Testament.  Now at fifteen months old, our Joshua is starting to raise his hands upwards towards his Maker God during praise music.

May Christ give you faith, hope, peace and love year round and especially during this holiday season!