Dengar Doa Kami

In recent times, they've been an urgent call for believers and churches to arise in prayer be it for Malaysia or the world for that matter. It's clear. God is stirring something in our midst, something beyond the physical realm. With all that's been happening in our nation and in the world, there's a climate change in the spiritual. In Penang and in Gateway City Church, the message is clear - we need to intercede for the city and nation.

In line with what God has placed in our hearts, Run for the Nation has been initiated in Penang about two years ago. Since then, we've been challenging churches to be part of this prayer run event, believing that as people run through every street corner of Penang God will answer their prayers of blessing upon the city and nation. This year, as we see what God is doing, we decided to initiate Run for Penang - a prayer run event focussing on rallying churches in Penang to intercede specifically for this city that He has placed us in.

As part of the organising team, I was given the charge to oversee the overall running of the event. Hence, I didn't literally "run" with the participants. However, while driving and overseeing the event, 3 very simple yet essential truths came clear to me. 

1. We are His chosen people

Seeing the young and the old coming out as early as 3.30am just to pray for the city was mind-blowing! Not to mentioned the team from KL and RunNat Comm who came up to Penang just the night before to support us in prayer was awesome! It was truly an encouragement to me to see people of all ages heeding the call to pray. As I see these people run and pray, God just assured me 1 Peter 2: 8-10 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light". 

The time is now for us to arise in faith, young or old, God has chosen us to be the salt and light of this generation. We are His "special possession", warriors of His army!

2. The Light will come and darkness will be removed

Besides being known for the land of good food, Penang is also marked with numerous temples and idol worshippers. Driving through the different parts of Penang, passing through different temples and communities, it was evident that this city is plagued by darkness. The enemy is preying upon this land and its people. But God once again assured me that His light will shine through amidst the darkness - "... that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light". 

 

As runners ran through the streets and declare praises to God, I believe God was and is already in the process of exerting His wonderful light amongst the darkness that we see. He is causing a spiritual change in this city.

Run. Pray. Believe.

3. United as a Holy Nation

The beautiful sight of seeing different individuals from different churches coming together was an assurance that unity is crucial. 1 Pet 2: 8 says that we are his "holy nation" and the picture of a nation that comes to my mind is synonym to that of a united group of people coming together under a single government, and that's God. Should change happen in Penang we must first stand united as one body of Christ. 

Different churches represented by individuals praying together 

at the closing of RunPen in EPCC.

Standing united as one body of Christ.

Although RunPen has officially ended, let's continue to assume our role as His chosen people. A ripple of change is coming our way. Surely He listens to our prayer and His hand is moving in our midst. Let's keep pressing in, advancing forward with single-mindedness to glorify His name. Unity among brothers and sisters must be fostered. As we do that, darkness will flee and God's wonderful light will shine through upon this city and nation. 

RunPen organizing committee with the KL RunNat team.

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Floorball!

Ah, it's going to be a great week of floorballing, meeting and networking with different people in the floorball scene. Excited for what's ahead!

On another note, took some time out to check out the State Development team at their weekly Balik Pulau Tuesday training. What an encouragement to see how much they've improved! Keep it up State Development team (STD)! Kudos to STD Coach Kuan Yang as well! Keep it up, bro'! 

Let's keep the passion along with the vision!

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RUN FOR A CAUSE: Will you run with me?

This year will be my third outing to conquer the Penang Bridge in the annual Penang Bridge International Marathon. But this year, I've got a different reason to run. I'll be running for a cause. 

Come, join me in my attempt to conquer the bridge once more, this time with a purpose. 

For more information about this cause and how you can be part of it, please visit www.gatewaysports.com.my

Will You run with me?

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Running for Him

And so, after months of preparation, planning and much anticipation, the Big Guy upstairs pulled us through the final phase of Run for the Nation 2010, Penang. I'd like to share my personal experience being part of the organizing team for RunNat 2010, Penang.

Execution: 22nd May 2010, Running with Purpose!
I woke up about 3.45am and realized that the weather outside was breezier than usual. Took some time to pray for good weather. And just before I headed off for the first checkpoint to meet the first team, it started to rain :( Gah. It got me a little worried. Thought to myself, what if it rains for the rest of the day?... Stop all these negative thoughts, Christopher Koh... I quickly got my stuff and headed to my first checkpoint - Penang International Airport.

In total, the committee came up with 4 main routes, each charting a 44km distance. For each main route, 11 teams are assigned to run a distance of 4km respectively and as they run from their checkpoint to the next they are to pray as they run, handling over the prayer card, which also worked as a baton, to the following team until the entire route is completed. The whole idea is to cover Penang island with prayer. To saturate the city with God's blessings.

Route A starts from Balik Pulau Sports Complex and ends at RECSAM.

Route B, the route I was in charge of, starts from Penang International Airport and ends back at the airport.

Route C, begins from Clock tower in town and ends at Reservoir Garden Baptist Church (RGBC).

Route D, starts from Hard Rock Cafe, Feringghi and ends at RGBC as well.

Put everything together and this is how much we covered Penang island!
Over 180km in total!

The rain gradually slowed down. Thank God! The first team to the third team, however, could not really embark on a real prayer run. Instead, they got into the car and go for a 'prayer drive' :) In any case, all the participants were still excited in spite of the downpour. My initial reservations eventually subsided. It rained but that didn't stop us from blessing and praying for the nation! It was really encouraging to see how passionate everyone was to run and pray in spite of the rain and in spite the need to wake up 4.30 in the morning! :)

The semangat people who woke up 4.30 in the morning and go through the prayer run even though it rained!

One of the main concerns that I had was the safety of the participants. Although running a 4km trail may be short, the external factors such as inadequate pathways, running through narrow streets and uphill/downhill route seemed fairly dangerous to a certain extent. Hence, this year we made it a point to have a briefing especially for all Team Managers emphasizing on the issue of safety. Thank God, everyone had a blessed experience. Also, thank God that the traffic in Penang wasn't too bad on that particular Saturday. God is good! :)

Praying together before embarking on the prayer run!

Running for Christ!

Warming up and getting ready to paint the streets with blessings!

Peeps from Gateway City Church!

Standing together as one!

The first team started running at 5am and the last team ended at 10.30am. After which, everyone gathered back at Reservoir Baptist Garden Church (RGBC) for a corporate closing prayer. There were 8 specific prayer points that we prayed for; Church, Government, Religion, Family, Media, Commerce, Education and Social. It was good to see different pastors from different churches leading the prayer session coinciding with one of the main agendas for RunNat. One of the key objectives of RunNat is not just to pray for the nation but also to rally the churches together as one. We wanted to unite the churches together as one body of Christ so that we can stand within the gap for Him. It was a pretty big task but a worth while one to plough through.

Different pastors from different churches rallying the people to pray together as one!

Interceding for the nation!

Coming before Him on bended knees!

United in Christ!

Looking at how God piece everything together during the actual event on the 22nd May 2010 was as if looking at a genius at work. There were some points in the midst of preparation where I felt at lost but as always, His grace is sufficient for me.

Preparation: Stretch before you run!
In any running event or sports for that matter, it's crucial that you do proper warm-ups and stretching before you actually run. Similarly, as I went through the preparation and planning period prior to the actual RunNat event itself, God, likened to that of a coach, really stretched my spiritual, mental and physical muscle in every way.

Firstly, taking lead for RunNat 2010 in itself was already a huge task by my standard but knowing that it was something that He has challenged me to do, I took it up with 'fear and trembling'. Consequently, there were numerous responsibilities that I had to learn to juggle and to execute. Getting a committee running with experienced people and pastors was a nerve-wrecking task but a good one nonetheless. It forced me to be on my toes and to learn from them. I'm also grateful that through the planning, I had the privilege of contacting and meeting many new people from the Christian community in Penang.

Secondly, being overwhelmed with a handful of administrative work through the course of RunNat, there were times where I found myself loosing the actual intent of the event. It became more of 'doing' than 'worshipping'. There were days where I just spent the entire day mapping out the routes, getting the registration done, contacting the participants and so on that it seemed like I'm running an event management company more than anything else. There came a point where I felt completely inadequate, totally zapped out physically and that was when God woke me up from the physicality of doing to the spiritually of worshipping in the midst organizing an event.

In regards to preparation, I guess the two most challenging task I had to face were (1.) to rally churches and people to be part of RunNat and (2.) to map out the respective routes for the event. I just realize that coordinating and getting people to move is actually quite a task! I also realized that Penang island is actually really REALLY small! :P The experience of this year will definitely equip me to face next year!

Reflection: When the race is over!
After any sports event, be it an individual or team sports, it's crucial to debrief, analyze and reflect upon the result of your performance in that particular event so that you grow from it. Likewise, as I've experienced being part of RunNat 2010, Penang, it's time to see what God has taught me through it. I'd like to share two things I've picked up from this journey.

• Stretching is essential for any athletes for Christ!
  

If you want to run well in a race, then stretching is not an option! You need to stretch and be stretched to be able to run the distance and to run it well.

Being stretched in more ways than one, I've learnt to cope with mistakes, failures even, and in the midst of all that, to learn to trust that God will pull me through thick and thin and nothing, I say it again, NOTHING can stand between me and the grace that comes from Him. Admittedly though, I disliked being stretched :P Then again, who does!

• The intent is more important than the event!

I'm sure it's not uncommon for ministers and churches to fall into the trap of putting a certain event above the intent. There's always that lurking danger. God reminded me that I must always, ALWAYS put Him above all else. And through the course of RunNat 2010, other events came into play as well that reminded me to re-time the rhythm of my heartbeat according to the intent of His heartbeat. Whether or not He demands us to organize an event or to take up certain responsibilities or even to let go of certain things in our lives, what will keep us in check and enable us to do these things is when we are in tune with His heartbeat.

..................

Funny how it seemed as if it was only yesterday when my church decided to take up the task of running RunNat 2010, Penang, and now it's all been done! :) Scary to think how time flies so quickly. Ah, another decent reminder that time is of the essence... Let's make Him famous while we can and in the process, build champions as well!

A big thank you to all who participated in RunNat 2010, Penang.
You are a blessing!

Looking forward to RunNat 2011, Penang!

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Run, Pray, Believe

The day has come.
Rise and shine, Penang!

Will update my experience soon :)
For now, join me and believers around Malaysia as we pray for our nation.

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Dictators.

I felt compelled to put this down after Traiblazers' match on Saturday.

Everybody hates losing. Worst still, losing it big time. Looking at the scoreline at the end of the game, I knew it was going to be a bitter pill for the team to swallow down. Their courage was literally put under fire. As the final whistle was blown, I looked at my players and I could tell that they were beaten down, heads down and spirit broken. I saw dejection. But as they walked towards the secretariat bench to honour their opponents, I saw something else. I saw not individuals but a team coming together in spite of a deafening defeat. And I must say, I'm proud of them all.

Great teams don't emerge as victors on their first chase for championships. They toil through hardships and face heart-breaking defeats only to meliorate together as one. They are persistent because they do not allow defeats to slow down their advancement.

Great teams are dictators.
They dictate their progress even in times of regress.

To Traiblazers, remember...

Keep smiling as you progress forward :)

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The "Mean Machine".

Here's a short rap to inspire all Spearhead members after their body-aching push-ups in our last training session. Push-ups good! :P

This is the "Mean Machine",
It's gonna make you lean,
Doin' the push-ups till' your pass is clean!
If you hear me now, then put your sticks on the ground,
cause' it will take all nite, until you get it right!

SPEARHEAD!

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LOL & LWL!

My involvement in floorball has never been so great a deal until about 3-4 months back. How perfectly He orchestrates the symphony of events that took place is one that baffles my mind. From the birth of GSN to adopting floorball clubs in schools to forming Spearhead Floorball Club and to my personal journey in APAC 2010, the chronology of events that unfolded was the epitome of a Genius at work. He is the master planner and organizer of all things.

Getting myself more involved in floorball meant that meeting and possibly leading people would be inevitable. I've always been passionate about working with people. I find joy in reaffirming, encouraging, listening and possibly counselling people... But I'd never thought myself to be working amongst youth! He has His ways in training us. I must admit that in the initial stage, I was a little uneasy being amidst the group of youth I was working with. It has been a long while since I've been in touch with youth. Naturally, I felt a little 'disconnected'.

But their presence has made my personal race in life so much more meaningful and purposeful. They are a great bunch and it's odd how God teaches you a thing or two by first putting you in a position to teach. While you're at it, He begins to reveal what he has in store for you bit by bit. One of the key things I've learnt is that the word 'ministry' is merely a word used to compartmentalize different areas of focus. Yet at the same time, it's a word which holds each individual accountable as to how they live their lives. Ministry applies at a personal basis as well, knowingly or unknowingly, our lives - the way we communicate, live, speak and what we do - is a ministry in itself (1 Corinthians 10: 31).

Another key thing that I've learnt and something which I still struggle with once in a while is this whole issue of inadequacy. Many times when I look at the task which He has entrusted me with, I wonder to myself, "Why me when there are others who are far more capable??". Obviously, God being God, He didn't reveal to me His answer :P I'm a PhelgMel to begin with and add that up with a little low-self esteem, you'll get a person who constantly struggle with the issue of inadequacy. I've learnt this - If you're on your own, the truth that you'll get is that you will forever be in lacking. But if you're in Him and with Him, then you shall not be in lack (Psalm 23: 1). Ah, sounds theoretically simple, eh? But it isn't. The struggle is real, at least for me it is. Yet the truth remains as it is - If He is our shepherd, then we shall not be in want. Through our inadequacies, He will manifest Himself. This requires simple faith.

Nike puts it simply - Just do it.

Living out loud (LOL) and living without lack (LWL) for Christ is a constant challenge. But in order for it to be a challenge, you must first choose to accept it in the first place. Should you choose not to accept it, then it's not a challenge that you'll need to face altogether. So...

Are you LOL and LWL for Christ?

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CNY!

Chinese New Year is commonly abbreviated simply to CNY. I found a new meaning to CNY...

Crazy N-nergectic Youth!

Last Saturday, GSN held a Chinese New Year Party at my apartment's poolside area for all the students and sports enthusiasts. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in Hokkien the term that should be used would be 'lau juak'. Hehe.

Happening indeed.

I ain't gonna blabber much about the event because GSN has already posted up an entry about it.

Please read here for the update!

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Post Time-Out!

Last week, I had the opportunity to hang out with 13 vibrant youth for 3 days and 2 nights doing various team building activities, water sports and a rather torturous treasure hunt! Time-out was great! :)

After several weeks of planning, the camp was finally at its execution stage. In all honesty, I was worried with the small number of sign-ups. I wasn't sure how the participants would react knowing that it was only a handful of people joining. But as it turned out, we did have a good! Being a small group, it made things easier for me to get to know each one of them at a slightly more personal level.

I believe that connecting with youth requires a certain amount of passion, skill and gifting. I was a little nervy in the beginning knowing that its been a while since I actually touch base with youth/teenagers. Coming in contact with this young energetic bunch was like stepping back into familiar ground, a path I once trudged on. I've also forgotten how time has altered ideas, perspective, values and attitude of the youth of my time and the youth of the present. I guess as believers, our task is to be continually aware of the tides and currents of time and be ready at all times to reach out for those who are being pulled away by the waves of the world.

Reaching out.

Being a youth, most would disregard the importance of forming the right values and beliefs. More often than not, we would chase after elements that are appealing to the eyes rather than the heart. I remember when I was a youth, I wanted to look cool. I longed for popularity. I craved for approval from others. And the songs we listen to today seem to echo the grandness of these things. We need to educate youth to stand up against the teachings of the current media. Going through your youth is like walking on thin-ice - and we have to be their guide along the way to lead them to thicker and firmer ground so that they are safe from the misguided ways of the world.

Sometimes, it's cool to be uncool.

We need to educate and empower youth to walk on solid ground.

Gateway Sports Network (GSN) believes in the power of sports to influence and impact lives. During the course of Time-Out, we emphasized on a couple of values that we felt were important for the participants to take back home.

Listen.
I remember that when I was in my youth, one of the main issues I had was listening to others. I believe that this issue is still very much relevant to youth these days.

One of the main things we crave for as a youth is freedom; the freedom to do what we want and when we want. In every youth, there seems to be this growing angst and rebelliousness within them that can apparently distort their sense of hearing and listening. I too was once like that.

We wanted to reinstate the importance of listening in Time-Out. Hence, one of the key issues we drilled them was to be able to listen to instructions and to move according to the instructions given. We wanted them to understand the importance of listening while at the same time help them see the consequences if they choose to do otherwise. Without the ability to listen, a person character and foundation can never be changed.

Never stop trying.
Any professional athlete would tell you that the phrase 'give up' is not in their lexicon. These two words do not exist. Youth needs assurance when they are pursuing a certain goal in life. Failure can traumatised their perception of perseverance, hence, many youth these days find it hard to strive forward towards a certain goal when failure taunts them. Understandably so.

As one who once walked through the thinned ice phase of youth, we need to be their cheer leader, pushing them to never stop trying when they are pursuing something that is of value. On the other hand, we also need to be there to stop them from chasing after things that are of no value in this life. We must know when to cheer and when to jeer accordingly ;)

Participants engaging in a team building activity and they never stopped trying until they got it right!

Attitude reflects leadership.
If you've watched the movie "Remember the Titans" you would have remembered this quote - 'Attitude reflects leadership'. It basically means what we do and how we bring ourselves about will affect the people around us, what more if we're in a leadership position because who we are will flow down to our followers.

It's like canoeing. When you canoe, you're given a paddle. With that paddle, you have control over your canoe. How you paddle and how you steer the canoe will determine where you'd go. But it does not only affect you. How you paddle also affects your friend who is in the canoe with you. The person who sits in front of the canoe must then be able to paddle properly, consistent to a certain timing and towards a certain direction. Only then, will the friend who is sitting behind know how to paddle, when to paddle and where to paddle to.

You have control. What are you going to do about it?

We are all a leader in our own right. Therefore, we all possess the power to make a change. Towards what sort of change, good or bad, is entirely up to us to decide.

We need to live to play it in such a way that we make positive change towards society.

We had numerous activities for this young bunch to do. From the "toe skill" activity to "pail-lifting-while-singing-Nergaraku" to "caterpillar walk". For every activity, we wanted to impart something that is of value to the youth.

Doing the caterpillar walk.
Learning to keep pace as a team to accomplish a common goal.

It requires a strong bond of unity, tolerance, understanding and perseverance to be able to stand as a team.

As a team, we must always lookout for our team mates.

Safety comes first before fun.

I had a blast at Time-Out with this group of youth. It's encouraging and even inspirational to see how much potential each individual has in their own different ways. Some showed maturity beyond their age and it's refreshing to see that. God will definitely build champions amongst them, champions who would lead the way to His kingdom.

Seriously

crazy bunch of people!

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Time-out!

Shouting out to all students who are on their school break!

Come and be part of a sports and adventure camp called 'Time-out!' from the 7th-9th December 2009 at the Penang Water Sports Centre! You only have 3 more days to sign up!

Quick! Quick!

We'll be having team-building games, water sports, ball games, movie night and hiking! It's a good way to chill-out from your studies and hang loose for a little while! If you're interested, please drop me a line here or contact me via e-mail at topher.koh@gmail.com. Quick!

Don't think anymore, sign up now! Below is the registration form! :)


(This event is powered by Gateway Sports Network.)

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Blooming.

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet several young, energetic and passionate youths from a Christian organization known as 'Youth With A Mission' (YWAM). They are currently undergoing a 6 months Sports Discipleship Training School (Sports DTS), a programme under YWAM. Part of the course is to do sports mission work at certain countries. How awesome is that??!! I was blessed enough to have the chance to work with them.

The sports ministry of Gateway City Church, Gateway Sports Network (GSN), had the privilege of hosting this vibrant group, all from seven different nations - Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, America, Singapore and our very beloved, Malaysia! The feeling of having different people from different parts of the world with different background coming together as one and worshipping together to the one same God is indescribable!

I've come to believe that whoever steps into Penang Island has got to try out this sport... otherwise, their journey here to Penang would be equivalent to that of not tasting the famous Penang Char Kuey Teow or Penang Asam Laksa... Where can like thaaatttt... Must try wan ma... Correct? :P So yea, if you ever do come by Penang Island, make sure you try this sport out... Yeah, you know what I'm talkin' about. What else...

Floorball, baby!

The moment the YWAMers' came in contact with GSN, we did not waste any time as we shared with them the good news of floorball! ;) We brought them to floorball school on Thursday afternoon for a quick 'crash course'. We also shared with them a little background on floorball and the vision behind it. It was great to see how keen these young bunch were and gosh, they were good! But little did they know, floorball school was just a warm up.

The following day, we arranged another game of floorball for them... And this time, they were in for a little competition against our very own local youths!

Bukit Jambul School (BJ) vs. YWAMers!

Both teams just started playing floorball, in fact, it's the second time for both teams to be picking up a floorball stick! So if you view it as that, then the game should be balanced out... Should be larrr... Aih, but we forgotten to take into account that Godzilla tagline -

'Size does matter'.


The guy on the left is huge and he's only 20 years old!!!!!
How can that be???!!!!??
Alien I tell you... Alien!!!

I believe the YWAMers' had heaps of fun. For me, I'm glad I was able to hit two birds with one stone - I got to connect with both the YWAMers and also the BJ'ians. It was my second floorball session with the BJ'ians and I'm glad we're all slowly beginning to connect with one another. I'm excited for them as they begin their journey of pioneering their very own floorball club in their school. Could see that the students really enjoyed the company of the YWAMers!

Who won in the end?
I can't remember.
I think it was the locals.
Hahahaha.

If they weren't playing on court, they go nuts off court! ;)

It was sad that the YWAMers' could only be in Penang for a few days. The BJ'ians' wanted them to come again but oh well... All in God's timing I guess. The YWAMers' did leave a certain mark behind even though it was just for a few hours... No doubt they helped ignite the passion for floorball amongst the students.

GSN, YWAMers' and the BJ'ians!

Apart from floorball, GSN also took the opportunity to bring them for our running activity at Bukit Dumbar park. One of the strengths of the YWAMers' is street evangelism, thus, we gave them the opportunity to utilise it. It was really encouraging to see everyone taking the initiative to go up to somebody and strike up a conversation! Two of them even managed to get connected with a veteran group of runners. Awesome! I'm not sure if it's just an Asian thing but I always find that foreigners have it easy when it comes to talking to strangers. If a Malaysian goes up to some random guy or gal just for a chat, that person would probably just freak out or give you a 'You're-weird' look. Then again, it could well be a pre-conceived notion or plain old mental tak kuat.

GCC invited the YWAMers for prayer meeting and Sunday service too. It was truly a blessing to have so many of them with us! Most of them are between 19-21 years old, the oldest being 25 years of age. As young as they were, they possessed spiritual maturity and depth anchored by a firm relationship with Christ. It's good to know that young leaders are rising up in the sports arena.

Being around this bunch really helped me fan the flame in which God has sparked within me. Their presence, sharing and testimony gave me a certain assurance of what God is doing in the sports arena. It's always reassuring and good to know that there are people out there who runs alongside you, people who also believe that, as cliche as it may sound, there is more to it than just winning medals.

After spending 4 days with this bunch, it was time to say goodbye. It was really a bummer that they couldn't be with us a little longer. Looking back, I can only thank God for bringing and partnering GSN with YWAM. It doesn't matter how small we are, God can still use it for His glory.

As I was driving back home after sending the YWAMers off, I reflected about the whole experience and He gave me an insight that made me went "WOW". Relatively speaking, GSN is still at its infancy stage but yet it's jaw-droppingly amazing to see how God's favour is upon us because not only did He provided us with an organization to partner with... He gave us the opportunity to share and to partner with 7 different nations all within the span of 4 days! WOW! Andddddd... 7 is a perfect number. What more can you ask. ;)

Thanks, Dad. You're amazing when you work your magic! Although we may still be young, it's always good to know that we're blooming in You :)

P.S.: To the YWAMers, looking forward to be working with you people again!

Making God famous through sports!

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