Today we went to a rugby school to start our day of ministry off. There were guys between the ages of 16-24 at this school. Our guys were intimidated and wondered if these big rugby players would be interested in our message at all. God used this time to show the guys that you should never assume what someone's response might be to the message. He is bigger than that and He moves in wonderful ways.
We gave a similar presentation to last nights, but this time Cade shared his testimony. It was strong, honest, and it included a call to respond at the end that was both Biblical and appropriate. Timo followed that up and does ministry with these boys often, so it wasn't the first time that they had heard the message. But something about us being there helped some of the boys along.
After the presentation we did "camp." First we taught them basketball, then they got the hitting pads out and taught us rugby. That was awesome and funny all at the same time. Mark L. got stood up during the drill and it was hysterical. The interaction made the camp a wonderful time where everyone was engaged. Afterward we gave every kid the new Gimme the Rock video and a meet my coach John Wooden Four Spiritual Laws. They loved us so much that they sent us off with a traditional New Zealand dance and our guys loved it.
From there we had lunch and then head to the gym for a different kind of game. Because of the injuries we chose to have an open gym where we split our guys into three teams with some of the Academy (20 and under) kids on each team. It was the right decision. No injuries, and some games that lead to some deeper bonds. There was a little trash talk, some dunking, and a good competitive spirit. The street ball element of the open gym made it competitive and some of our guys played some of their best basketball. The dunking was so impressive that they decided to have a dunk contest for the kids in the stands after the games. Norris jumped over Jack in a chair, then Devin jumped over Jack and a Breaker and the crowd went crazy.
We followed this up with a Gospel presentation, a kids camp, and an autograph session. The owner of the Breakers gave a farewell speech in front of our host families, all of the full time AIA staff in New Zealand that we came to support, the Breakers upper management, and the kids that belong to the little Breakers club and their parents. It was a sweet end to a sweet trip. Every bit of awkwardness with us being the "Christian" team that they brought in was gone, yet we were as open as ever to share what we stand for. It didn't have to go this well. And it didn't have to end like this.
All of our guys love each other. They have done nothing detrimental to our cause for Christ. The Breakers are inviting us back and love what we have done for their organization and youth basketball in New Zealand, and our faith is part of our character and reputation. That feels good. God was moving in our time here. They could've closed themselves to us and our cause for Christ, and yet the exact opposite happened. Now we're like a family playing open gym games and growing in friendship. It's what we like to call Victory Beyond Competition.