A Tennis Missionary remembers

Wimbledon and the qualifier - Day three

Monday to Thursday - Wimbledon qualifier at Roehampton, 9am - I go to an office that a church has provided near Wimbledon Centre.  The first thing I do every morning is call my family in Hong Kong.  Thursday, I call my Senior Pastor; then a board member of our ministry; and Pastor Margaret Court an advisory board member to discuss pressing matters related to my work here.  Meet with two Senior Pastor's of churches here in Wimbledon. 1pm - At the tournament, prayed with and for about 20 players.  (Thank you Kevin for the credential). 8:30pm - Arrive back at my housing.

Friday, Saturday - Arrive on site for Wimbledon. Players arrive early and practice for the next three days.  It is amazing to me how many players have spoken to me after initiating the conversation.  At one time on the back four courts I had 17 players and family members all speaking about faith.  It is very encouraging to me!

Sunday - 10am Dondonald Church and 6:30pm at Queens Road Church both in Wimbledon.  In between services meet with players at the Club.  Arrive home at 9pm.

Monday Wimbledon begins - 8am Bible study at Starbucks in Wimbledon Village.  10am to the Club.  Prayer for the players playing that day.  Very specific prayers for the players as people and not necessary for playing.  16 Men and 24 women that I know well on court today. Thank God for the abundance.   I meet most of the players. Noon - I then meet 5 players both before and after matches and watch the matches of five players that are growing.  It is important that I spend the extra encouraging them to grow upwards.  9pm - back to my housing.

Tuesday - Too tired to do the Bible Study in the morning and sleep in.  I have not had one day off in four weeks since May 19th.  10:30 am - Make copies of four Video Cd's of 'Struggle and Triumph' from Athletes in Action which is dubbed into 37 languages.  Noon - Arrive at the club and pray for the men and women playing that I know well.  Meet most of the players before they go on court.  End up watching a few games of matches of players that I know.  9pm - back to my housing.  Eating Chinese take out most nights for dinner.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://www.tennisministry.org

2008 Artois Championships Queens Club London - Finals

I arrived in London on Monday from the French Open in Paris which finished on Sunday.  I had a meeting with Queens Road Church Senior Pastor on Tuesday morning and then over to the Artois Championships tennis tournament by lunchtime.  I would like to thank those who give me access.  Thank you, Bob and Mike!

The Queens Club where the tournament is held is set in an urban area of London surrounded by three story flats (or for Americans, apartments).  The player lounge is one of the best that I have been to, including the Grand Slam events.  The food is superb and better than almost all the Grand Slam events.  One exception would be the US Open which also has good food in the player restaurant.  The staff is friendly and they treat everyone with respect and lastly the official transportation crew is the most accommodating. The players agree with these points also.  Wonderful to be here!

A player and his wife are committed believers and we spoke about faith to others in this surreal world, where everything revolves around tennis and match scores.  I am thankful that I have others around me to encourage me and I can encourage them.

The finals are on as I write this.  Nadal vs. Djokovic tie-breaker in the first set.  Even some players are watching it in the lounge on the television.  Does it make sense to watch in on the tv when you can walk a few meters and see it in person and have the best seats in the house?  Well that is part an oddly dreamlike quality of the pro tour.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (Happy Father's Day - from London)

Happy Father's Day! (from London)

 My grade one daughter, Ashley, knowing that I would be in London - drew these pictures and presented them to me for Father's Day before I left Hong Kong.  Thank God, she has a good perspective on our family (notice the tennis racket in Father's hand, her little brother 2 year old Joshua, Mom, tennis court, swimming pool and backyard area).   My own priorities as a Father - God, Family, Ministry or profession.

 

 

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (posted soon: Queens Club - Day 7)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com

Happy Father's Day!

My grade one daughter, Ashley, knowing that I would be traveling - drew these pictures and presented them to me for Father's Day before I left.  Thank God, she has a good perspective on our family (notice the tennis racket in Father's hand, her little brother 2 year old Joshua and Mom).   My own priorities as a Father - God, Family, Ministry or profession.

John Maxwell tells of a man he met through Promise Keepers. One day, the man's daughter, who was in year one, was asked by her teacher to draw a picture of her family. She loved to draw so she willingly tackled the assignment. That evening she proudly brought her artwork home and showed it to her parents. When her dad looked at the picture he said, 'What's this picture of?' His daughter replied, 'That's us and our house. The teacher asked me to draw a picture of our family.'He looked at the picture more carefully and saw that every one was there - except him. 'Sweetheart, 'he asked, 'am I in the picture?'' No,'she replied. 'Why not?' he asked. 'Because this is a picture of us at home, and you're never here.'

That was the day he decided he was going to turn his bus around and head back to his family. 

Wimbledon 08 outreach activities

Queens Road Church - Wimbledon: prayer meeting and discussion on tennis ministry with interested fans and supporters for the second consecutive year.  Saturday June 21st, 7:30pm.  Dinner to follow at 8:15pm at a Wimbledon Centre restaurant for those who have additional time.   (Reservations requested but not required) Website: www.qrc.org.uk Map it here.

Business persons lunch meeting - Central London:  Topic: Applying Biblical principles to your market place.  Pastor Bob Kraft will be the speaker.  Wednesday 25^th June, 1pm at Salvation Army, Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street London W1 Website: www.lightlunch.co.uk (Reservations requested but not required)   Map it here.

"More Than Gold" - A daily devotional that will be given athletes at the Beijing Olympics.  I have a limited number of advanc copies of these in Chinese and English and will be given out to interested pro players in the tournaments in the UK.  Website: www.rbceurope.org

Church services at Wimbledon - These are churches that have expressed an interest in being listed in the tennis ministry.

Coffee at Starbucks: Every morning during the first week (Monday to Saturday) of Wimbledon a Bible study will be held at Wimbledon Village Starbucks.  Time: 8:45 - 9:15am.  If you do not have a Bible, don't worry we will have some extras and this is a good chance to gain knowledge on the Bible, while enjoying a nice cup of coffee. (Reservations requested but not required, Walk in welcomed!)  Map it here.

The Artois Championships at The Queens Club and Wimbledon Qualifier at Roehampton - Pastor Bob Kraft will be in attendance and will be glad to meet fans or players. To arrange a meeting: kraft@tennisministry.org or UK mobile number: 07913743175

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: My Top Ten List - Wimbledon)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com

My Top Ten List - Wimbledon

Difficult
1.  Public transport that is super expensive, starting at $4USD a single trip.
2.  Currency - exchange rate from USD to British pound, the lowest ever.
3.  The nearest hot food is at Wimbledon Centre, a forty minute walk.
4.  Walking the thirty minute walk to the tournament site in the rain.
5.  Cultural sensitives between Americans and Brits

Wonderful
1.  Tesco Express convenience mart in Wimbledon Village that has good, reasonably priced fresh fruit and sandwiches.
2.  My host family, a wonderful house and a nice quiet attic room.
3.  Queens Road Church which reminds me of the style of my home church in Hong Kong.
4.  Stores that sale anything you need in Wimbledon Centre.
5.  Grocery stores that have everything and especially the boiled ham which is reasonably priced and I love.

Note: Most difficult:  Cultural sensitives between Americans and Brits - watching how and what I say with no American humor added.

The best:  Finding a nice quiet small park, sitting on a bench, breathing in the fresh air, hearing silence and appreciating the beauty of the rose's in full bloom.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: Wimbledon 08 outreach activities)

Weekly Verse - June 9 to 22, 2008

(Tournaments this week: ATP - Halle, London, Warsaw WTA - Birmingham, Barcelona) 

June 9 - MONDAY: The whole nation into idolatry. - Judges 8:27
The pressures will build as you near the finish line!

TUESDAY:  We are just as capable of messing it up as they were.  Don't be so naive and self-confident.  You're not exempt. -1 Corinthians 10:11-12
Stay in the Word, make time for prayer, strengthen your family and ask God daily to help you finish strong. He'll do it.

WEDNESDAY:  In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free.  the Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me? - Psalm 118:5-6
Fear is a spirit - don't yield to it, resist it!

THURSDAY:  For God has not given us the spirit of fear. - 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear of man is not from God!

FRIDAY:  For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me. - Job 3:25
Fear activates the enemy, just like faith activates God, so don't give it an inch, or it'll take a mile.

SATURDAY:  Fear not; for I (God) am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God. - Isaiah 41:10
If you belong to God, you have no reason to fear, for He PROTECTS what belongs to Him!

SUNDAY:  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. - Isaiah 43:1-3
Nothing can get at you today without coming through God first - absolutely nothing!

(Tournaments this week: ATP Den Bosch, Nottingham - WTA - Den Bosch, Eastbourne)

June 16 - MONDAY:  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You (God) are with me. - Psalm 23:4
You don't have to be afraid of death, for your Father God owns the land on BOTH sides of the death!

TUESDAY:  For He (God) shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in ALL your ways. - Psalm 91:11
GOT EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL

WEDNESDAY:  Lord, open his eyes so he may see.  Then the Lord opened [his] eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. - 2 Kings 6:15-17
Angels are not just observing you - they're surrounding you!  Relax.

THURSDAY:  Arise, lift up the lad and hold him in your hand, for I will make him a great nation. - Genesis 21:18
God's got great plans for your child, so lift him up; encourage him.  "Hold him!"  Without hugs and holding, our children will be dwarfed in their spiritual and mental well-being.

FRIDAY:  The water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. - Genesis 21:15
Jesus will strengthen and comfort YOU - so that you can 'be there' for your child.

SATURDAY:  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish. - Hebrews 11:31
Christ takes risks on people; aren't you glad?

SUNDAY:  God is not ashamed to be called their God. - Hebrews 11:16
God's grace is displayed most clearly in the lives of failed people.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: Longevity)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: Day Nine - French Open)

Day Nine - French Open

God has really put this on my heart to share with the pro players:  I see often a lack of a sense of priorities:  As a Christian - 1.  God  2.  Your Family  2. Your Profession or job.  If God is the center of your will (wheel) then all the others things connect properly. 

Q: What is the center verse in the Bible?  A: Psalms 118:8 - "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

This week: 1.  I am asked to do a Bible study of the book of "Revelation' at upcoming Wimbledon.  2.  A Mother believes in Christ by faith and a Father wants to believe by intellect.  3.  Gave out the book "This One Thing I Do" by World Vision and Samaritan's Purse founder, Bob Pierce.  4.  Pray for up to two hours each day for specific players, coaches and families  5.  Participate in several churches sidewalk outreach to fans walking to the Roland Garros.  6.  Spoke at Communaute Chretieanne du Point du Jour church service.  7.  Attend the interdominational worship concert called Passionworldtour in Paris city center.  8.  Prayed for marriages that have broken down or need healing; unmarried who need wisdom in relationships; Life and Death diseases.  9.  Dealing with complicated ministerial situations involving sects. 

My Day (except Sunday):  7:30am - breakfast. Pray and reply to emails that came in overnight.  10am - call my family in Hong Kong. 10:30am - walk to Roland Garros.  10:45am -  Arrive at tournament and walk through player area saying hello to those I know, seeing if any urgent needs.  11am - matches start and go out to matches with players that I work closely with; spend the day meeting players, family members and coaches.  8:30pm - Leave Roland Garros  9pm - Dinner  10pm - read verses, compose Weekly Verse message  11pm - listen to worship music, pray  Midnight to 2am - bedtime.

Again thank you for your prayers, concern, emails and support.  They are much needed at this time.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (most recent: Longevity)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com