Dominican Republic 2009

Here is a great video of our trip to the Dominican this past Month. The video gives you a little taste of what our time in the D.R. was like. However, nothing compares to actually being there. If your watching this and have never been on a short term mission trip, I hope you will consider joining us next year...enjoy.

We're Back!!!

VBS with the kids at a feeding center
A little play time

Getting ready to share with the kids at camp

A little infield practice

We made it...we are finally back from our trip to the Dominican Republic. What a week and what an experience. It feels great to be back at home with family and friends. It also feels great to be back to things such as; hot showers, cool evenings, comfy beds, fast food and organized traffic.

We were blessed as a team and I can honestly say we accomplished our mission and left an impact on the people we meet and came in contact with. I want to thank everyone for all the prayers and support while we were gone, they were definitely felt. There is so much more to so check back as I want to post some more pictures and cool video when I get a chance.

Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray...

Front Row: Caitlyn, Cyndi, Liz, Amanda, Emily

Back Row: Me, Charles, Matt, Laurence, James, Roy, Chris, Ryan

A little team bonding through sports...it's going to be a good week

On Tuesday morning August fourth we have a group of 12 leaving for the Dominican Republic on our first ever sports related missions trip. This personally has been a big under-taking and now that we are ready to go, it makes it all worth it. I can not wait for the experience and to see how God moves through all of us. If you get a chance over the next week please pray for the myself and the team.

Camp Life

What a week...Basketball camp ended on Friday with the kids getting a little crazy for the camp photo. The photos above are just a glimpse of the silliness that goes on during camp. I have to thanks all of our coaches and volunteers, you guys did an awesome job and made this camp one of the best around.

If you have never worked a camp there are two things you need to know. First, a day at camp can be like a year. However, second is the joy of watching the kids grow and mature in both there faith and basketball is a lasting impression that you will hold for a lifetime and worth every ounce of energy you put into it.

Oh yeah...volleyball camp starts on Monday, another long rewarding week ahead.

City League Champs

Back Row: Carmelo, Mike, ME, Dennis, Matt, Corey, Jerry, Brent, Chris

Front Row: Ricky, Larry, Chris

On Wednesday this last week our Shepherd Sports city league softball team was able to capture it's first ever Championship. This group of guys are a huge blessing to me and the Sports Ministry. All of the guys pictured above serve as Captains or Volunteers for our Shepherd League and it was so enjoyable to gather every week with these guys to fellowship and play ball. I'm going to miss Wednesday nights at the park. Thanks guys for a great season and for all you do to serve the Lord through this ministry.

So Close...

Monday (B league) CHAMPS
Tuesday (A league) CHAMPS

Thursday (C league) CHAMPS

On Tuesday we wrapped up our Men's Summer Basketball League. My team and I were able to reach the finals for our Tuesday Night league but we were denied the Championship by the Back to Back Champs the Electric Boogaloos. I am proud to say that our Basketball Leagues have become highly competitive in all our divisions. However, because of that my teams have recently been unable to win a Championship. It looks like I will be on the hunt for a few 7 footers. If your 7ft tall or have a 40 inch vertical please give me a call as I have a spot for you on my team.

Above are the pictures of this year's summers Champions at Shepherd. Check our very own Charles Bogray on the Thursday Night Championship Team. Way to go Chuck!!!

getting old

WOW…I woke up this morning after playing my first game of soccer in over 20 years so sore that getting out of bed became a all morning event. Yes, the last time I played organized soccer was 20 years ago. I decided then that there was no need for me to run over 5 miles a day to play goalie.

Shepherd Sports started its first ever soccer league last night and no I didn’t play goalie. From all accounts last night was a big success. The Jerseys looked awesome and we now have 90 new members of Shepherd Sports through the sport of Soccer…Praise God. I see a big future for this sport and can’t wait to see where God moves.

If you missed signing up for this season we will be starting another league in January. Some advice: start training know for January as indoor soccer might be one of the most physically challenging sports I have ever played. Then again it might just because I let 20 years past between playing.

Who thinks of this stuff...

We have all seen this picture a thousand times...yet it never made me think of food. God has made each of us different and special in our own way. I thank God for this guy because I am still laughing at this picture. Enjoy.

Soccer anyone...

With our Coed-Soccer League starting in a couple of weeks I couldn't help but post this picture. I laugh every time I see it. I think some people have to much time on their hands :)

How to start every day...

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you. And, remember.... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. Now, you have a nice day.

God