The Daily's posts with tag: wimbledon
Difficult
 1. Public transport that is super expensive, starting at $4USD a single trip.
2. Currency - exchange rate from USD to British pound, the lowest ever.
3. The nearest hot food is at Wimbledon Centre, a forty minute walk.
4. Walking the thirty minute walk to the tournament site in the rain.
5. Cultural sensitives between Americans and Brits Wonderful
1. Tesco Express convenience mart in Wimbledon Village that has good, reasonably priced fresh fruit and sandwiches.
 2. My host family, a wonderful house and a nice quiet attic room.
3. Queens Road Church which reminds me of the style of my home church in Hong Kong.
4. Stores that sale anything you need in Wimbledon Centre.
5. Grocery stores that have everything and especially the boiled ham which is reasonably priced and I love.
Note: Most difficult: Cultural sensitives between Americans and Brits - watching how and what I say with no American humor added.
The best: Finding a nice quiet small park, sitting on a bench, breathing in the fresh air, hearing silence and appreciating the beauty of the rose's in full bloom. Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: Wimbledon 08 outreach activities)
 Wimbledon begins
June 23 MONDAY: (Wimbledon: Men - Round of 128) Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it. - Genesis 21:18Give your children a taste of the things of God when they're little, and when they grow up, this world will never satisfy them. TUESDAY: (Women's Round of 128) Along unfamiliar paths I (God) will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. - Isaiah 42:16
Don't just your children your doctrine; expose them to your faith. Tell them Who brought you through the dark places, so that when they encounter them, they'll have more than religious rules - they'll have confidence in God for themselves. WEDNESDAY: (Men - Womens Round of 64) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves. - Hebrews 13:17
Who speaks into your life through proven leadership? To whom are you submitted? THURSDAY: (Men - Womens Round of 64) A man's gift makes room for him. - Proverbs 18:16
Your gift will always meet a need for someone else. Find your gift and develop it, for it's the key to your destiny. FRIDAY: (Men - Womens Round of 32) We have the mind of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 2:16
The challenge is in learning to recognize Christ's thoughts, and to trust them. SATURDAY: (Men - Womens Round of 16) God thinks His thoughts through us when our minds are renewed. - Romans 12:2
You ask, "How do I deal with 'a stronghold that is hurting my life'?" Attack it with the Word of God in the Bible! That's what Jesus did! SUNDAY: For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. - 1 Corinthians 16:9
Every opportunity God gives us will bring opposition, building your faith and strengthening you. June 30 MONDAY: (Men - Womens Round of 16) For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of Godly men.- Psalm 1:6
You don't have to accept whatever comes into your mind: you have a choice! If your thoughts line up with the Word of God in the Bible, accept them. If they don't, reject them. TUESDAY: (Womens Quarterfinals) Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4
When Jesus is the center of your affections, His desires become yours. WEDNESDAY: (Mens Quarterfinals) Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way. - Isaiah 30:21
It's a word in your past, confirming that you're on the right track. THURSDAY: Womens Semifinals) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. - Colosians 3:15
God's peace will give you confididece in difficult calls. FRIDAY: (Mens Semifinals) As an eagle stirs up her nest...so the Lord alone did lead him. - Deuteronomy 32:11-12
Rejoice if God is pushing you out of your comfort zone, for without it you'll never fly. SATURDAY: (Finals- Mixed Doubles, Woman Singles, Mens Doubles) We walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Remember, the will of God always involves - faith. SUNDAY: (Finals- Mens Singles, Womens Doubles) His (Jesus) strength is made perfect in your weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
He can lift the disadvantaged higher than those who've had every advantage!
 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.
 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)
 Four ways that a person who is not a pro tennis player in an actual tournament gets in to the area where the players relax and prepare for matches. 1. Be a former Champion of the tournament. 2. Be a guest of a player playing or guest of a former champion. 3. Coach a player. 4. Tournament guest VIP.  I really respect that a player playing has achieved the designation of worlds top level. Certainly such a player is special and should be treated by all as such. As a Pastor and a friend working with numerous players, I really am so thankful to God for that opportunity to help. God also allows a Pastor to be respected and assisted. Please contact me if you are a player, former champion or an administrator would like to assist in any way for the French, Queens, Wimbledon, US, Hopman Cup, Sydney and Australian.
 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.com2007 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)
Life by Principles My question to a player once ranked in the world's top five, "Why did you quit at the top of your game?" The answer, "I had to play on Sundays." Inwardly my heart melted, as I realized the commitment that was made for family and faith and not the game.  I remember seeing this player on the television in the 1980's in finals. We now see each other at the French, US Opens and Wimbledon's and have had really deep hearted conversation on our common love for Christ. I see the family children, now grown up, alongside this player all the time. I am not sure if the decision had to do more with going to church or with family time, but I can certainly see the love of the family.
Spending TIME with my own family in church and trusting God to provide in things that I seemingly gave up (such as coaching income) in place of church has been the best choice that I have ever personally made. I am seeing the "fruits" of this decision now in my family. My children are learning morals, ethics and principles that go way beyond what the world teaches us is correct.
Next week: Grand Slam Champion who attended church every Sunday.
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