The Gang's All Here!

I know that it's been a while, but y'all know I don't just update for the sake up of just posting. I do have some exciting news: the official roster has been released. Fingers crossed, this is the standing roster and we won't have any shuffles between now and when we leave. But, you never know, since life has a funny way of happening.

Here's the crew, starting with the ladies.

Sprints - Ana H., Madeline K.,  and A'Keyla M.
Hurdles - Jade B.
Middle Distance - Kim M. and Shea M.
Distance - Sara S., Stephanie S., and Angel P.
Steeple - Marisa H.
Long/High Jump - Alexis W., Kylie P., Nataliyah F., and Zibby B.
Throws/Javelin - Valerie A., Zaybree H., Ashlie B., and Jessica S.
Pole Vault - Alex W.
Heptathlon - Chari H. and Tatum S.

And now, for the gentlemen.

Sprints - Bryce R., Leon P., Joe H., Markesh W., Ronnie B., and Cole L.

Hurdles - Dondre E., Aaron M., and Keyunta H.

Middle Distance - Shaquile W., Nick H., and Austin O.

Distance - Ty M. and Jake H.

Long/High Jump - Michael W., Idrees B., Matthew O., and Cody C.

Throws/Javelin - Braheme D., Alec F., and Derek E.

Pole Vault - Mike W. and Mark S.

Decathlon - Steele W.

Finally, the coaching staff.

Head Coach - Jack H.

Distance Coach - Forest B.

Multis Coach - Sharon D.

Sprints/Relays Coach - Chris A.

Throws Coach  - Justin S.

Athletic Trainers - Chris G. and Rachel C.

Team Manager - Monica G.

SID  - Skip P.

Chaplains/AIA Staff - Jodi T. and Brian B.

Would you please join me and pray for not just our team to come together, but for each individual on the list? Please pray that for those on the list who may not know the Lord, that this summer would be one where He would draw them into a relationship with Him. Please pray for those who are believers, that this summer they would learn what it means to compete for a higher purpose and reason than just competing. Please pray that relationships are built, not just on our team, but across borders. Sport has a beautiful way of uniting people in a way that I believe the Christian faith should. 

2015 World University Games - Gwangju, South Korea

I know the title of this blog is "AIA Belgium Project", but then sometimes God shows up, spins you around on your heels, and sets you down a path that you never in a million years would have envisioned yourself going down. Ever. Which is where I find myself now.

For the sake of convenience, I am going to use the same blog to chronicle this South Korea adventure. For convenience, but also, I know that the adventures that I had in Belgium will be adventures that I should remember. So much growth happened over the course of five July's spent abroad, so many lessons learned.

As things stand right now, there isn't a whole lot to share. But, I will share what I do know. Athletes in Action (track and field, specifically) is partnering with UCLA this summer. Logistically speaking, the UCLA assistant coach is going to be recruiting and leading the team of 40-50 athletes that is going to Gwangju. Of that, Athletes in Action will be recruiting a team of ten(ish) track-letes. So, we will be doing this Inception-style of a team within a team. A lot of ministry is going to happen before we leave for Gwangju - discipleship, support coaching, mentoring, discussing topics that in the past would be covered while we are in Belgium.

I am incredibly excited for two reasons (for the moment at least; I'm sure there will be more reasons later). First, I am only going to be wearing two hats this summer - assistant team athletic trainer (UCLA is bringing their track and field athletic trainer) and discipler. Just two hats! But more importantly, we are literally going to the nations! The World University Games (or WUGs) are the Olympics for university/college-aged athletes. Athletes from all over the world will be there, and we get to not only build relationships within the American track & field team, but also with athletes from many tribes, tongues, and nations. All by using the language of sport :)

The big prayer requests at the moment are the recruiting process/roster building, finalizing a support amount, and that the Lord would knit the AIA family together as Brian and Jodi, the staff members from AIA traveling with the team, start their recruitment.