Exciting Things Happening . . .

Just thought I'd post another bit of my experience with the Sports Ministry Camp I was part of in January 2007.

Let me introduce you to some of the teen Leaders who are carrying on the Sports Ministry in Nicaragua. I'll add more pics of the teens in my next posting.

Ceasar













Rayna












Louis















Joel













Humberto













Ceasar (another one)















While we were in Nicaragua we had the opportunity to visit a community where Ceasar helps with a Church plant. He hopes to not only start a Sports Ministry in his own church and community, he also wants to work with the kids and youth in this other Barrio by introducing Sports with the goal to reach as many for Christ as possible. Now that's what I call a passion for Christ!

When we were there we saw this in action - let me tell you, it's probably the most amazing sight I've ever seen - so many kids and youth flocking to get involved.

Introductions

God is so Amazing!

I thought, instead of posting one huge update from the January Sports Camp Ministry, I'll post a few updates. That way, it won't take as much time all at once for all of us and you can digest a bit at a time.

Let me introduce some people to you:













This is Fernando and his girlfriend Marcal

Fernando is the Sports Ministry Facilitator in Managua, Nicaragua.


Alex is one of the Teen Sports Leaders for Soccer (Football)















During the Sports Camp, each of the Sports areas had 2 Teen Leaders. I was part of the Soccer Training so, most of the pictures I have are of soccer. These two guys were amazing learners and by the middle of the week they were doing all the training pretty much on their own. It was great to see their passion and committment to Christ.


Eric is another one of the Teen Sports Leaders for Soccer (Football)














Pray particularly for these two Teens, that God would continue to guide them and that they remain faithful to His call on their lives. I was able to get to know these two better than most of the other as we spent quite a bit of time during the day on the same soccer court. They are great people and I believe God has great things in store for them.

This is Oliver, one of the kids that came to the Sports Camp.














Oliver was one of the kids who stole my heart. We went to visit his community (Barrio) where we played some basketball and soccer. The most amazing part was when he insisted that I meet his entire family - literally! Aunt, uncle and their little business, mom, dad, brother and their tiny little home which they were so proud of.

Well, enough for today!
I'll post again in the not too far future and show you some more pictures of this amazing trip!

How I was Invited to be a part of this Ministry . . .

During a conversation with the directors of PAN, I had mentioned that I had some experience with camp ministry for kids and youth in my previous job in Calgary. The next day I was asked to spend some time talking with the two fellows who are the leaders of a Sports Ministry in the city of Managua in Nicaragua. They are totally new to this type of ministry but have huge hearts and a great vision for what God will do among the kids and youth in Nicaragua. They needed and will need further direction on how to make this type of ministry sustainable and manageable yet able to be develop to meet the incredible need. I spent some time talking with them and we all realized that more time was needed for us towork together on this.

I began wondering . . . "what is God doing here?"







To make a long story
short . . .




I was invited by these two coordinators and the directors of PAN to join the January 2007 Sports Ministry Team to help see this ministry reach its maximum potential. This team consists of several people from various churches in Southern Ontario who will help organize the Sports Camps in January. We are still working out the details of whatmy role will look like as part of this team and helping the coordinators foster discipleship but, I'm excited to offer my camp ministry experience as a resource.

• Samuel and Fernando (Sports Ministry Coordinators), have 24 youth from various churches in Managua especially interested in starting sports ministries in their own churches/communities
• Each of the 24 youth have an adult coordinator they will beworking with to help them be successful and for encouragement
• Presentation of the Gospel is a key component built into every meeting and everyone is expected to bring a friend
• Working with the initial group of 24 youth will see a minimum of 1200 youth and kids presented with the Gospel in the first few months of this ministry potentially many, many more!
• More Churches and Schools are asking for them to start Sports Ministries than they are able to keep up with
• The January Sports Camps will see participation of anywhere from 600 to 1000 kids and youth.

And, this is just a start!