ANOTHER NOTE: Last week, Stan Curry and I were able to finally get the shoes that had been collected to Pikeville, KY. Weather issues and scheduling problems held us back. We took off early because we had to stop by an shoe wholeseller. We had ordered 144 shoes to be paid with from the money people donated during our collection process. It was around $550. When we dropped by to get them, they shared that there were shoes that had been designated for another trip that had not been picked up. They gave those to us, about 300 of them and 100 leather belts. Then to top it all off, we were told that they would not accept our money! Wow!

The Lord really hit us with a good one then. We were able to deliever somewhere around 1400 shoes. God is good!

JULY SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

16- Prison Homerun Derby and NFL Players sharing, LaGrange, KY
19-22 Children’s Basketball Camp in Elizabethtown, KY
20- Men’s Basketball to Northpoint Correctional

After a short rest, we visited the Boys and Girls Club and shot basketball with the kids. We hosted a 3 point shoot-out contest, then had a testimony and call to them. We had just helped them install some new air conditioners for their meeting rooms. After that, we went to have a practice game with some Natchez folks that were friends with our leader at the Boys and Girls Club. We played the game and got to pray with the players

The next day, we got up early and drove to Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, LA. It was our first time that our particular group visited this prison. We were met at the door by the Warden and his very friendly staff. They followed us out to the field and had three teams waiting to play us. The field, dugouts, and tents were absolutely fantastic. It was very hot & humid, but we came together as a team and played really well. After our first game we shared a testimony and presented the Gospel.

Lots of men came forward and made decisions. All of the inmates we played against and saw us were very enthusiastic and positive about us being there. The Warden and his staff watched the games and gave everyone support. It was the first time that we ever saw the Warden stay with us for a few games. After two games, we went into the gym and played 3 point shoot-out, had pigs in a blanket meal, and snow cones!! What a treat. We went back refreshed and got to play the undefeated team and managed a good win. We were walked out of the prison by the Warden as he was thrilled for us being there all day. What a blessed day we had

The next day, we slept in and then traveled to Oakdale FCI in Oakdale, LA. We checked in at around 4 p.m. and got to play two games. There were hundreds of inmates out there watching us play. We played a tough team in the first game and lost by 2 runs. After our first game we shared a testimony and presented the Gospel. Again, God moved and lots of men came forward and made decisions to change their lives. We played another game and ended up winning by 1 run. We had not been in this facility for over three years and it was great to go back. The staff was very supportive and helpful during our visit there.

On this mission trip we were excited to have 5 new men from Jackson, MS come with us for their first ever prison ministry visit.

Below is the report for our Saturday trip.
The Mississippi Report….is as follows:

On Friday, June 18, we departed from Jackson, MS, to Natchez, MS, to join forces with Louisiana and Texas Sports Reach. Andy Prosser, Mark Rich, Brandon Jolly, Jim Moss, and Scott Marshall left Jackson around 5:45 p.m. and arrived in Natchez around 7:45 p.m. After dinner we met with Randy Smith and Anthony Leblanc to get a briefing on what to expect at Pollock FCI the next day. This prison softball ministry trip was a first for all Mississippi guys. We departed from Natchez at 7 a.m. Saturday and headed to the Low Camp at Pollock FCI in Pollock, LA. We arrived at 9 a.m. and were greeted by a very cordial staff. Mario, Recreation Department Leader at Pollock, was very pleased to see all of us. He said several times that the inmates were very excited that we were coming and had been on their best behavior to make sure the softball games would occur. Floyd Gardner and Scott Schafer set up the music equipment to bless everyone with worship music as we played the games. One inmate joined Scott in singing praises throughout the games. As we started to warm-up for the games, I was encouraged to see how many of the inmates remembered the guys from Sports Reach from previous years. The inmates were genuinely excited to see them again. The ministry of presence is an amazing outreach tool.

The games kicked-off around 9:45 p.m. During the game, we tried to be intentional in interacting with the inmates watching the game. Our purpose was simply to be interested in their stories and connect with them in some way. Two inmates (one from Colorado and one from California) approached our bench to learn more about us. They were very well-mannered and appreciative of us being there. They said that we were the only group that comes to play softball with them. We said our goodbyes after the second game (and two victories) and headed to lunch.

The next stop was the Pollock FCI medium facility. We arrived around 12:30 p.m. For the Mississippi guys, this facility was a little more intimidating given the level of security and the larger number of inmates. However, once the games began, we were brothers in Christ not separated by barbed-wire fences. Coach Kirby Jones gave the opening speech and challenged everyone to not think about this game as “us versus them,” but think about all of us as family. The inmates were receptive to this idea, and this speech set the tone for the game. The fan gallery here was much larger and louder than the Low Camp. It was obvious they were ready to play ball. Sports Reach won the first game. After that game, several men from Sports Reach shared their stories and gave them the opportunity to invite Jesus Christ into their lives or re-dedicate their lives to Christ. The response was very encouraging. Many inmates signed up for Bible Studies. God was mightily at work. Men from Sports Reach were intentional in visiting with the inmates during and after the games. Again, anyone could see how much they appreciated us being with them. Many seeds were planted this day.

We will commit to praying for these men and praying for an opportunity to visit them again soon. God worked on all of our hearts during this time to expand our vision for His Kingdom.

For the trip we were 7-1 in softball games but more importantly God moved in lots of men’s lives. After 3 great days, the decisions made for our 2010 Mission Trip:
New decisions for Jesus Christ = 27
Rededications to Jesus Christ = 88
Bible Studies/Follow-up discipleship = 153
On behalf of the men who were able to make this trip, we would like to thank all of you who have been praying for God’s work in this ministry.

Finally, we want to thank God for all things. He is our Lord, our Savior, our Master, our Kind, and our Friend.

In June, the Sports Reach Fastpitch team recently completed their second annual mission trip with activities in Knoxville and Nashville Tennessee and surrounding areas.

The team shared a time of fellowship with several local travel teams including the Knoxville Thunder, who they played in an exhibition at Bearden High School in Knoxville as well as competing in the Tennessee USFA State Tournament in Gallatin to close out the trip.

While in Knoxville, the team was graciously hosted on Wednesday by Pastor Rob Hammond and the youth ministry department of Grace Baptist Church. The girls played volleyball, basketball and was treated to an after-activity meal from McAllister’s.

During the trip the team was able to reach out to other youth with fellowship, encouragement and God’s Word at the “My Village” United Way Center in Knoxville and the
Youth Encouragement Services Center in Nashville.

The team would again like to thank all those that prayed for the team and trip and helped to make it possible for the team to be able to touch so many lives and for many decisions to be made by new and old friends alike for the second straight year.

The mission trip followed an ASA Qualifier Tournament that was both hosted and won by the Sports Reach team. This was the second straight year that the team hosted the qualifying tournament to help fund the mission trip. 14 teams from Kentucky and Indiana participated in the 3-day event.