Difficult
1.  Microwave only cooking for meals.
2.  Currency - exchange rate from USD to Euro, the lowest ever.
3.  Restaurants that are not affordable for me, starting at $30USD per meal.
4.  Language - French to English; English to French.

Wonderful
1.  Walking in the evening - in deserted Parisian back street with unique buildings.
2.  Daylight until 10:30 pm.
3.  Grocery store food that is well priced and the best quality I have found in the world.
4.  Free Wi-Fi Internet connection in the neighborhood (16th District) that I stay in.
5.  A fifteen minute walk from my housing to the tournament site.

Most difficult:  The only place that I can truly afford to eat at in Paris is, McDonalds and can goods from the super market.  In 2007, the downside is I ate at a McDonalds nearest the tournament in 07 and got food poisoning and in bed for two days.

The best:  I love history and in the evening after the tennis, I can walk the streets nearest my church hostel and look at wonderful old buildings that have the date of completion on the side of the building and a few have historical plaques - understandably all in French.  Read Day One - French Open here

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com   (latest: Day One - French Open)

My first trip to the French Open was in 1978. (Winners that year: Singles: Vilas and Jaušovec.  Doubles: Gottfried/Ramírez and Maršíková/Teeguarden. Mixed: Carillo/McEnroe).  As I walk the twenty minutes to the tournament site at Roland Garros each year, I pass by plaques on buildings that state a persons name, date of death and the reason that they perished - serving in the French Resistance. I am especially touched by a primary school only a five minute walk from the tournament that lists 500 school children deported to concentration camps from that building. 

I served in the US Army during the peak of the "Cold War" in Europe in the 1970's (Berlin Wall)  I received an honorable discharge after serving 3 1/2 years of active duty and 3 years of on call duty. Everyday I heard and saw reports and photos in my position with a top secret clearance that made me aware that an enemy, though unseen across the Wall, was active and working to disable.

Once I became Christian it was very natural that I could understand authority and the unseen spiritual battles as outlined in the Bible.

I am aware that we are in a spiritual battle for hearts, minds and eternal destiny's.  People are lead astray by worldly thoughts and held captive to these thoughts leading to spiritual death.  Brother and sisters we are in battle today that is just a real as any battle field that you see on the television or are engaged with on the battlefield.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:18

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: )
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com

French Open

June 2nd - MONDAY:  (Singles Quarterfinals - Mens Doubles Semifinals) So that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. - Deuteronomy 14:29
You don't have to do anything to experience God's love, but you must do certain things to experience His blessings.

TUESDAY:  (Singles Quarterfinals - Womens Doubles Quarterfinals)  There is nothing too hard for You (God). - Jeremiah 32:17
For every problem, God has a definite answer; for every hurt, He has a cure.

WEDNESDAY:  (Womens Singles Semifinals - Mens Doubles Semifinals )  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. - Luke 9:24
If you're wise, you'll Forget your accomplishments, but remember your debt to others.

THURSDAY:  (Mens Semifinals, Womens Doubles )  Give, and it shall be given unto you. -Luke 6:38
Jesus isn't just talking about money, He was also talking about forgiveness and relationships.

FRIDAY:  (Mens Singles Semifinals - Womens Doubles Semifinals )  I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. - John 10:10
If you're broken, let Jesus fix you.  Don't lay THAT responsibility on anybody else.

SATURDAY:  (Womens Singles Finals - Mens Db Finals, Mixed Db Finals)  Love is very patient and kind...does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable or touchy.  It does not hold grudges. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Why don't you totally commit your life to God today?

SUNDAY:  (Mens Singles Finals - Womens Doubles Finals) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. - 1 Corinthians 9:27
Satan will do all he can to get you 'off track.'  That's a fact you need to treat seriously!  No matter how LONG you've been serving the Lord, you're not immune.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: The_French_Open_-_A_Cold_War_veteran)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: My Top Ten List - French Open )

Pastor Bob Kraft and Tennis Ministry Prayer points.

1.  Manila, Philippines - May 21 to 24 Youth Conference.

a.  My housing with the host family.
b.  Relationship with Everynation church leadership.
c.  Discussion on future Gospel tennis camp to business and government leaders in Philippines.
d.  Discussion on future cooperation with youth conference and tennis ministry.

2.  Hong Kong - May 24

a.  Family time.

3.  Paris, France - May 25 to June 9

a.  Access to tournament site and players lounge.
b.  Wisdom and relationship for those against this ministry.
c.  May 31st - Fan outreach to French Open, pray for participating churches.  Bob and Mia's eleventh wedding anniversary.
d.  June 1st, Bob preaching in Paris church.
e.  June 6th - Fan outreach to French Open; Bob's fifty-first birthday.
f.  What Would Jesus Do bracelets to be given out to players - if I have them.
g.  Protection against physical sickness or illness.
h.  No back pain.
i.  Adjustment to jet lag.

4.  London, England - June 10 to July 9

a.  Housing with host family.  Pray for a smooth relationship.
b.  Access to tournament sites and access to the players lounge.
c.  Wisdom and relationship for those against this ministry.
e.  Food availability.
f.   'More than Gold'  spiritual booklets that will be received on time and passed out to the correct people.
g.  Transport to the tournaments sites.
h.  June 15,16 - Bob attending a weekend church retreat with host family.
i.   June 21st - Meeting with businessman and residents of London for discussion of future ministry events.
j.   No back pain.

5. Hong Kong - July 10 to 18

a.  Family time.
b.  Office time/tennis lessons.
c.  Adjustment to jet lag.

5.  Honolulu, Hawaii July 19 to August 10

a.  Family time.
b.  Relationship with various churches in Hawaii as I meet Pastors and church members.

(Tournaments this week: ATP - Casablanca, Düsseldorf, Portschach WTA - Istanbul, Strasbourg) Note: I will be traveling from May 21st onwards and may not have daily Internet access, hence this is going out for several weeks in advance - Thanks..

May 19th - MONDAY:   A Priest forever, in the order of Melchizadek. - Hebrews 7:17

Because Abraham tithed to Melchizadek, his enemies couldn't conquer him, his age couldn't limit him, and God blessed him spiritually and materially.

TUESDAY:  And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a Man with him until the breaking of the day. - Genesis 32:24

God will ask you to identify yourself too. Until you're willing to face yourself, nothing in your life will change.

WEDNESDAY:  He (God) raises the poor from the dust and...seats them with princes. - 1 Samuel 2:8

The power that brings healing to you is the message you can carry to others.

THURSDAY:  When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. - Psalm 27:10
Your future is not determined by your past! You an turn every painful experience into wisdom and compassion, and made this world a better place for all of us.

FRIDAY:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. - Luke. 4:18

You can make a difference and there is no greater honor than that. The question you and I must answer today is, will we?

SATURDAY:  Speaking the truth in love, we will...grown up. - Ephesians 4:15
Cutting someone down to lift yourself up is a real sign of insecurity. You have to be little to belittle!

(French Open begins)

SUNDAY:  (Men - Women's Round of 128) - I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down, why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you? - Nehemiah 6:3

Have you succeeded in the same work where you?re accusing them of failing? In other words, Have you earned the right to speak?

May 26th - MONDAY:  All we do is trust Him (God) enough to let Him do it.  Salvation is God's gift from start to finish! - Ephesians 2:7-8
There's nothing, absolutely nothing, you can do to make yourself more acceptable to God.  Your religious denomination makes no difference.  It's only a label; if you go up, it drops off.

TUESDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 64)  According to Your (God) mercy remember me. - Psalm. 25:7
If you want to be distressed, look within. If you want to be defeated, look back. If you want to be distracted, look around. But If you want to be delivered?look up! Come on, child of God!

WEDNESDAY:  Freely you have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:8

The happiest people are those who've invested their lives into others.  The most miserable people on earth are those who wonder how the world is going to make them happy.  Give back what has been given to you.

THURSDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 32)  At least there is hope for a tree: if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. - Job 14:7
How wonderful: new sprouts (your children) born out of a dead tree (a divorce, relationship, failed marriage).  That's the message - life after death!  He's the God of second chances and new beginnings.

FRIDAY:  Without a vision we perish. - Proverbs 29:18
Your children are your vision.  They speak of the future.  So give them EXTRA love and stability.  Teach them what God says about life.

SATURDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 16) Be not weary in well-doing! - Galatians 6:9
Correct your mistakes and concentrate on your assignment! 

SUNDAY:  (Mens Round of 16; Mens and Womens Doubles Quarterfinals)  The first tenth of our income belongs to God. - Malachi 3:10
Tithing is not about money, it's about gratitude and priorities - it's about giving God FIRST PLACE in everything.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: Prayer requests for my European trip)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: Prayer requests for my European trip) 

I just found out that several players are not going to be at the upcoming Grand Slam events after having played for more than three decades at these events, most recently in the senior and invitational doubles. They all have one thing in common each winning a Grand Slam Championship (Australian, French, Wimbledon or US Opens) and often more than one in their era. 

This is a group that would sit around and graciously include me as we talked about our families, our children, our histories and our life's journeys.  We have done this for quite a few years now at Grand Slams and I am especially fond of remembering the table in the French Open players lounge that we would sit at until 7-8pm just talking.  Some were Christians and some were not, but we always got along wonderfully.  I am so thankful that God allowed me to get to know you and it is an honor and privilege to know each of you.

I will miss you guys. I will miss our companionship. I will our stories. I will miss having the opportunity to hear about the tour in 70' and 80's.  I will miss watching you play.  I will miss our laughter.  I will miss meeting your family.  Most importantly I will miss sharing about Christ with you.  Yes, tears are coming now for me, as how can I forget how kind you were to me, even offering me your meal allowance when I was first in need.

Let's move on...knowing that we have to.  But remember that we are never far away from each other, through prayer.  Please do pray for me; as I will for you.  I continue on at those Slam events reaching another generation of players and remember the old saying 'until we meet again'.

Remember as we face the end of our journeys. God can always use us to help others.  If we can breathe - PRAY!  If we can speak - ENCOURAGE OTHERS!  If we can recall - TELL WHERE THE POTHOLES ARE AND SAVE US FROM FALLING IN THEM.  It's wonderful what God can do in just one day - so give Him all the days you have left to help others.  God will make a way, when there seems to be no way!

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated. - Deuteronomy 34:7
The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning. - Job 42:12

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: Discipleship is Relationship)

French Open:
* <Fans, Players, Coaches>  Fan outreach is planned for Saturday, May 31st and June 6th during the tournament with several Parisian churches at Porte d'Auteuil metro stop. Google Map here.   This is the third year that this has taken place.  Everyone is welcome to join in as the fans are spoken to on their walk to the tournament.  No tournament tickets are required, just your willingness to speak to others about Christ.   See Photos from 2007 here.
* <Fans, Paris Residents, Players, Coaches>  Reverend Bob Kraft gives a June 1st message at Communaute Chretieanne du Point du Jour Church; a short ten minute walk from the tournament site.  Google Map here.
* <Players, Coaches>  Interested players at the tournament will receive a free WWJD bracelet. 
* <Fans, Players, Coaches>  May 24th 'March for Jesus' takes place in the Paris city centre.  This involves thousands of people who have a Parade through the streets of Paris.  In 2007, several from the tournament attended and you are welcome to go this year participate or just observe. See Photos from 2007 here.

Wimbledon:
* <Fans, Wimbledon Residents, Players, Coaches>:  Rev. Kraft will hold a fellowship, prayer meeting and gathering for all those interested in Wimbledon and UK outreach during the Championships.  The meeting will take place at Queens Road Church, Wimbledon.  Google Map here.  The date is Saturday June 21st from 7:30-8:15pm followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant for those who are interested in speaking further.  All are welcome to attend regardless of faith, denomination or even playing abilities.  Welcome!
* <Players, Coaches>:  'More Than Gold" booklets in English, Chinese and Spanish will be given to our friends who are players at the tournament free.  This is the same book that is being prepared for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and is a daily devotional with fantastic sports stories.  This is provided by RBC ministries who has worked alongside Rev. Bob Kraft for a number of years.  Thanks for the partnership!

US Open:
* <Players, Coaches> Kevin Singleton, music worship leader from the USA will be available to provide music in player hotel rooms free.  Each player can then invite him and then you can invite your friends.  This gives each person a opportunity to reach out to your tour friends in a private setting.  Kevin is a song writer and performs yearly around the world to stadiums and youth groups.  Interestingly enough Kevin was a former pro basketball player in Europe and his Father was the men's tennis coach at Santa Monica College in California.  His website: http://www.kevinsingleton.com

2007 Wimbledon player testimony:  "We had regular meetings in the evenings where we shared in worship songs and real life stories where we were able to encourage each other and build each other up.  As a retired player from the pro tour it is easy to feel like I no longer belong, but this was a wonderful opportunity to have people to "come home to"  and feel connected with (by my faith in Christ)." -  Rosalyn Fairbanks-Nideffer, Grand Slam Champion, 2007 Wimbledon Ladies' Invitation Doubles Finalist (used with permission)