Wednesday, June 23, 2010
victory
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
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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!
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
Sunday, June 13, 2010
a well earned point
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
its finally here
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!