Wednesday, June 23, 2010

victory

Tonight is one of those nights that will live in my heart. To witness the goal in stoppage time was both unreal and surreal. I am proud to be American, proud to see our country in a positive light, and most importantly proud to be a child of the most high and in South Africa at this time in history.

Steve Morgan and I had a great time this morning encouraging the boys from the Word. God really calmed me and helped me speak effectively to the guys in attendance which included : Ricardo Clark, Clarence Goodson, Robbie Findley, and Tim Howard. We had a little while to chat some after the chapel as well and it was just good to build some in to these guys lives. There is another chance I could help with chapel before the team's next match on Saturday evening in Rustenberg.

here is a photo tonight of myself and Barrett Grant after the USA victory. Barrett has been a friend for all my life and now leads a team of missionaries for Campus Crusade down in Durban. What a night. Thank you Lord.

US National Team chapel

I about ready to leave in just a few minutes for my first time speaking to the US Men's National team. I pray that it wont be the last. I am thankful to be given this opportunity to share to these guys on probably the most important day of soccer in their lives. I am not deserving of this but I am thankful that my awesome God has considered me worthy and acceptable to do this. I will be sure to report back to you after today's time with the team. GO USA!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

daily shots: day 11

Argentina vs Korea

we had some great seats. thanks to borrowing my dad's lens for these shots

South Korea on the attack

trying to save it

fans

Messi was unreal.

what a display by the South Korean fans


dinner after the game. missin them already. pray for their time in Zambia until June 30

Thursday, June 17, 2010

daily shots: day 8



in an effort to catch you up on pics i am posting some from the past few days. Enjoyyyy!

excuse me miss but Sweden did not qualify this year
Denmark was distraught with the way they were playing
The Oranje on defense
This supporter has grown some lovely locks
The Danish fans were pretty sweet with their face painting displays

Van Persie tracking the ball

Soccer City on gameday

A hanging soccer ball soccer player by Nike in Carlton Center in Johannesburg
A sign of the 2010 Champions????

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

article from mreport.org on our opening AIA WC Conference

PRETORIA, South Africa — “Normally when I played soccer, I played for myself,” says Tumi Mogotsi, a university student from Soweto, South Africa. “Now when I play on the fields, I know I’m going to play for God – not for me.”


Mogotsi is one of about 50 athletes attending an Athletes in Action (AIA) training for ministries related to the World Cup which starts on Friday. More athletes will arrive within the week.


AIA is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. “Our main mission is to use the platform of sports to reach the world for Christ,” says Terry Bortz, operations director for AIA media.


Athletes from ten countries are participating in the AIA training and will travel in teams throughout South Africa during the World Cup. These teams will minister alongside local churches as they hold soccer clinics and lead in other efforts to share Christ with the surrounding communities.


The athletes come from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Zambia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Sweden, Germany and France.

“These guys will go back to their countries with a vision, with training, and continue the work that God has done in their lives here,” says Chris Dirks, director for AIA South Africa.


One evangelism tool AIA athletes will use and distribute is “The Prize: Chasing the Dream,” a half-hour DVD filled with testimonies of Christian soccer players, including six of the top players in the world.


“Each of the players [on “The Prize] have something in common, and that’s a personal relationship with Christ,” says Andrew Eppes, an AIA staff member.


Eppes shared “The Prize” with Mogotsi at the University of Johannesburg. Mogotsi, who admittedly admires some of the professional players, is emphatic that their testimonies changed his perspective on life and soccer.


“It helped me spiritually to see players like [them] praising and glorifying Christ,” says Mogotsi.


Now he realizes his soccer talents are a gift from God and can be used to glorify Him.

Monday, June 14, 2010

daily shots: day 3

line to collect tickets in Joburg
Wynnie and I with Zakumi!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

a well earned point

So its 4:25am and I am just now back from the USA-England game in Rustenberg. After horrible traffic and even a worse shuttle ride back to the car myself and my family are back safe in Johannesburg. What a draw tonight for the USA. Couldnt have asked for much more of them. I think at several points the game could have gone either way. But the draw meant more for us for sure. England didnt even clap for their fans at the end and went straight off the pitch. Our boys savored the moment and stayed on the pitch for a good 20 minutes clapping and cheering. I am proud of the way our team fought and now we move forward to Slovenia on Thursday.

Its so surreal this whole tournament is here. Its still sinking in even after tonights game. wow. thank you for all your prayers so far and i ask for them now as we move in to our ladies outreach with the South African Women's National team this week from the 13th-20th. May God do huuuuge things this week in that time with them. goodnight from Jozi

Friday, June 11, 2010

daily shots: Day 1

me and some of the boys at the Fan Parkhello
Fan Park in Sandton(Joburg)
Viva Bafana!!! and gotta rep the stars and stripes as well
Just like a Wavin' FLAG!
Asif (AIA Campus Director at USF)

its finally here

We had a successful opening conference where about 80 men and women came together to learn how God and sport connect. It was a true blessing to see two of my guys Tume and Wayne grow deeper in their understanding of God and really both make tremendous strides in their walks with the Lord. Pictured below is myself Elasto, Tume, and Wayne with the AIA North American team leaders. The AIA guys hooked Tume and Wayne up with some fresh gear and we had to get a picture! Pray for that team as the get down to Cape Town to do ministry these next 2 weeks.

I honestly cant believe the World Cup is here. Its amazing to me but I am so thankful that God has me here to work here now. I have already seen lives changed at our opening conference, had amazing discussions with our USA Men's National Team chaplains about how to better invest in our boys in the Red White and Blue, and also just felt the incredible connection of the world as we all drop what we are doing for one month and come together to unite in the sport of football. May the name of Jesus be lifted high this month and I ask for many to see Him as savior and redeemer during this World Cup! amen!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

the World Cup project begins!


Today out in Ruimsig myself and 3 other American dudes (pictured) went to watch our US National Team in their final tune up. 2 goals from Edson Buddle and one from Herculez Gomez in stoppage time sealed a 3-1 victory over the Socceroos from Australia.

It was a great atmosphere filled mostly with elementary school kids and some USA and Aussie supporters. I have a great feeling about the way we are playing leading up to the England game. We will surprise alot of people.

Tomorrow we start our training conference and it should be a great time of learning and fun. I have two guys from my UJ Men's Soccer ministry coming up to attend. Anathi and Tume will be gathering with us over these 5 days along with Wayne Sandilands from Sundowns FC to hear how God and sport unite. I am very excited for all 3 of these guys to grow in the days to come. Please pray for the 3 of them as they press in to God's word this week. Also at our conference all the teams that will be doing ministry in South Africa will be getting equipped as well to minister effectively during the World Cup outreaches. We are excited to have all these people in town and we will be growing as a group in many ways as well.

My dad and sister and I had a great day yesterday as they arrived and we have some amazing Lion Park pictures and stories to share at a later date. Have a great week!