Final Days of 2010 summer

I have been home for a little over a week now and already miss being there.... this summer went by real fast, as I was only there for 4 weeks compared to my 10 weeks last summer. But I take great comfort in the fact that I was only there for 4 weeks because that means much ministry was done through the league without me. I am now quesoning if God is calling me to another city... over the past few years, God has been laying Detroit on my heart--I repeatedly "encounter" Detroit in many different ways. I feel like Paul, who said to the Romans "I long to be there with you, but it is not yet time." For the past year I have longed to go to Detroit, but knew it was not yet time, and it may be nearing that time. Pray with me please as I pursue that calling.



This summer ended well. The two undefeated teams faced off in the championship game and Diamond Street prevailed over Da Hoagies in OverTime! Though I had to miss the final 3 games, I did get to hand out trophies. For many of us involved in sports (recreation or competively) trophies are not only things we take pride in, but are common. Which makes it even more special when you have a 19 year old who's been playing basketball his whole life say, "I get a trophy? Wow... I've never gotten one before." But more exciting than that, we have taken the next step to directing this league to more than just "basketball, bible studies, and devotions." We had been brainstorming ways to make the players in our league more "responsible members of their community" (hopefully through the church primarily) and we came up with the idea of having a Kids' Basketball Camp. With just a week to go, we threw together a one day camp for kids ages 6-12, but the cool part... it was run by players from the league. The week leading up to camp, I got guys who were inerested to sign up to be coaches/instructors/mentors for a few hours on a Saturday morning. Though it was a small turnout (7 kids, 4 players from the league), the kids LOVED it and the guys realized what a role model they could be (especially when they realized that some of these kids come and watch their games--this league has been a "family event" as some parents bring their kids to watch the games--whether related to a player or not). The players ran the whole thing--set up drills, taught them, and then split them up into 2 teams and served as their coaches for a couple 3 on 3 games. Afterwards, the kids got a Christian Rap CD (one that was made for all the players in the league as well) and t-shirts--next thing you know, the kids are asking the older guys to autograph their shirts. It was a great experience for all of us and the start of something bigger. Next year we hope to start a kids' league where they are coached by someone from the older league and maybe have a game every other week for them.



But of course, we may not be able to manage that if we can't find more volunteers. This continues to be our biggest challenge. I owe a big thanks to the wives who allow their husbands to work extra late nights to keep this ministry going. But if we cannot find more help, then this ministry cannot grow--we are at our capacity. However, I know God will provide and he grows his Kingdom as he sees fit. But pray for connections... every connection that looks promising falls through... It is disheartening to see how many fail to follow through, but we will look on! So please pray for more help and with extra funding.



If you wish to get a DVD of this past year (will include photos, video shoots, and interviews with players of how they've been impacted) or you wish to donate, please e-mail salvation.league@gmail.com or call 859-539-7838.

Oh... and we did have one more commitment to be baptized! And Tony Spain (baptized last year and now does Christian Rap--I've talked to him before) had his first baby last night!

Until next year, God Bless!!!