Bible Study, league, and fireworks

Okay folks, I'm going to try this again... but it has now been 3 weeks since the last legitimate update! Hopefully I remember everything I typed up last time when it lost it all... and still have room for what's happened since.

Okay... Let's begin with bible study. For the first few weeks I had about 12 guys coming, but thing is, only 3 were consistent. On the plus side, out of the 24 Bibles donated from the Christians I met here, I only have 6 left... On the downside, well... I was just hoping the same people would come every week. BUT, as of this past Tuesday, I suppose I am beginning to have a consistent group, plus more. I had 20 come! It was a great night because one of my consistent attendees is leaving for the Army on Wednesday, so as a going away party, I used the McDonald's gift card my older brother got me for Christmas (to be used here in Philly) and bought 20 double cheeseburgers and 20 fries--they did enjoy that. But what's even better is... they're enjoying bible study. They really do get into it, and if someone gets distracting, everyone is telling him to shut up! Haha... We get in some good discussions and some guys are opening up to me on their own. With that said, pray for Elvin, who's brother (older by 1 year) was shot and killed Oct. 7, 2007... he said ever since that day it's been real hard for him--he said he's a Christian and after that incident he got a tattoo of a cross on his arm with the sign written "king of the jews"; yet it's been hard for him to really take hold of faith. He admitted that he likes to come to open gym because it gives him something to take his anger out on. Someone else who opened up is Chris, who just got back from prison for possession of a gun and dope--he said he's definitely opened his eyes and stays away from it (he hated prison), but let's pray he takes it the next step and lives for Jesus. He also admitted to me just the other day that they don't want me to leave and that no one would mess with me because of the level of respect there is for me! Welcome to incarnational ministry... that and the Lord has granted me His favor. Lastly, pray for Billie. Billie has just lost his job and is on the verge of homelessness. The cool thing about Billie though... coming to open gym was the first time he's ever stepped foot in the church. His first bible study here was his first time hearing about Jesus. After this past Tuesday, he thinks he's ready to make a decision for Christ and get baptized! I'm meeting with him later today (along with John and Jose who might be leaning toward making a decision as well) to talk more about it (oh... and this guy is really good at bball... he was roommates with Jayson Williams at a 5-Star High School Camp back in the day).

But, like I've said before, this isn't the only Bible Study. I also have the bible study on Wednesdays with some church members. This one is focused around understanding what it means to be a DISCIPLE (thanks to Tommy Johnson for teaching me the importance of it!)... Now this has been unique for me because any Bible Study I have lead, it has been with college age students. For this study, I have Nolan (9 yrs old), his brother Nigel (14), their mother Anissa and her boyfriend Greg, then Karen (30 yrs), and Gina (middle-aged).... What's really cool is that the main reason for the family coming is because Nigel wanted to know more about the Bible... and now they have embarked on a mission to read their Bible more and understand more of what God wants of them... the spaghetti dinners and studies I have with them have been great... and I know God is using the experience to carry them into their work force, school, neighbors, etc...

Now... as for the League. Wow, that has come a long way. First, let me update you on the records:
Tioga A............... 0-4
Tioga B............... 1-3
Next Level.......... 4-0
Unforgettables... 1-3
P.U.C.................. 1-3
DBB.................... 2-2
Dynasty.............. 3-1
Jewtown............ 3-1
I wish all of you could be here to watch these games--even the teams with the 1-3 records are really good (their losses are always within 4 points... almost all games are close and I've had 2 overtime games!). I should have a picture of each team up by next Saturday. The ministry has been going well too. Before each game there is a devotion and time of prayer... this past Thursday I invited Chuck Malloy to provide our devotion and he talked about how our single biggest problem we face as the human race is death... and he used that to introduce Jesus who overcame death, and how that same resurrection is offered to us. Chuck is someone who is now a dear friend to me because we have mutual friends from KY (and they put me in touch with him)... Chuck has helped provide Gatorade, whistles, etc... But I think he enjoyed doing that devotion the most! And I think it got a clear message to some of these youth. League night has become a hot spot, as the work out room becomes crowded with fans watching the games (Next Level and DBB bring the most).

Let me explain something else about this league... I had a goal when I first arrived in Philly over a year ago (at least a goal I made up by the end of the week)... that goal was to bridge neighborhoods together through bball. Well... the league has helped accomplish that. I have a few teams from different hoods, and it's been cool seeing how they interact now--from seeing each other at open gym to seeing each other outside of the church (a play from Unforgttables talked about how he met someone from Jewtown and they talked about the league!). Another goal was fostering team work and leadership. Well... if you notice, the Tioga teams have not been doing well. That's because they are about 5 years younger than all the other teams. Though they get spanked at their games, I have seen a player from the opposing team gather them together afterwards to encourage them and give them tips. I've see another guy invite a few of the younger ones to open gym so that he could help train them and work with them. In a neighborhood where no one sees any good happening, I see God making it happen.

It's funny... I came back this summer expecting to spend the whole summer doing what I did before--ministry at the parks... but it has shifted to this league and open gym (guys say they'd rather play there than on the streets... actually, one time some guys came by wanting to use my air pump, and I told them if they came back in 30 minutes I'd open the gym for them... one of them said "Yeah, we want that... rather play there than on the streets".... in the next 30 minutes that guy was already out fighting someone).... God has totally taken this trip and set me on his course--i've just followed where he's taken it. I must say though, I miss going to the park... there's some guys I haven't seen since I last played ball there. But with all this said, PRAY that God continues to bless the league; some are worried it will fall apart once I'm gone... pray for those who take over.

Well, I think that covers enough.... By the way... please, everyone be jealous of me. Last night I sat on the roof and watched incredible Philadelphia fireworks--the entire sky all around me was lighting up all night. It was quite a sight :)