This
is Dave's report of his experiences as a Chaplain to the
World Cup Rugby held in Australia............
After recent ministry in
Melbourne, I had a divine connection with the Samoan Team
at Melbourne airport. I was walking to the flight minding
my own business when I heard a basketball bouncing just behind
me. I turned around to see a big fellow in blue with the
basket ball in his hands. I said to him," You're
not a basketball player, mate. Where do you come from?" He
said, with great patriotism, "I play rugby for Samoa".
Suddenly the whole team was gathering around. I introduced
myself as their chaplain and they all jumped in the photograph.
I walked to the plane with Earl, the Samoan kicker whose
legs were very badly injured in the match against England.
He had an ice pack strapped to a very swolllen right calf
muscle. I asked him if he believed that I I prayed for him,
God would hear my prayers and heal his legs. At first he
said, "Sir,
with respect, I'm not into that stuff". I replied, "I'm
you chaplain and I'm going to pray for you anyway. He bowed
his head, and as I prayed I noticed tears running from under
his sunglasses. He gasped as he felt the presence of God
come upon him. In the next five minutes before we were hustled
onto the plane, he prayed with me and received Jesus into
his heart.
I walked with the Samoan team to the boarding gate and complimented
them for the tremendous way they played against England,
and nearly beat them. They were quite downcast that they'd
not been able to hold the lead to the end. On the flight
I wen to their seats to talk to some of the players and the
manager, Mr.Kanape, I said, " I think you men are the winners,
because of the way you played that game. The way you handled
loss, bravely and graciously, with dignity, really arrested
my attention and many others too. There are not many teams
who lose graciously. Many grown men don't know how to lose
- the pout, sulk and become vicious. You guys have shown a
wonderful Christlike attitude. In God's estimation and mine
too......you men are the real winners".
I thought some of these big men were going to cry. Tears
welled up in their eyes. I thought is was discreet to leave
at that moment, but not before I gave them my chaplain's
card and offered them copies of the World Cup Rugby chaplain's
video.-This beautifully presented video has some great testimonies
of top rugby players still involved with the rugby scene
and rugby footage of them playing. This is followed by the "Jesus Movie".
At the Samoan manager's invitation I went to Brisbane hotel
where they were staying to deliver the videos. I was asked
by the manager Mr. Kanape and Michael Jones, their assistant
coach and ex All  Black rugby player to speak to the whole
team at their evening meeting. All the players were there
together with the officials, selector, doctor, physiotherapist,
drivers. I asked how Earl's legs were healing. The team doctor
told me that the injuries were healing amazingly quickly.
Earl was a "talker" and had made my task so easy
by telling many what had happened.
What an opportunity it was to minister the gospel and a challenge
from the Word of God to them for 20 minutes, and then to
pray for them, their needs, their families and the match
coming up. The seeds of the gospel were very seriously and
attentively received by this team of big men. I then enjoyed
a meal with them at Michael Jones' invitation. What a privilege
from God. What a divine encounter. About a third of their
squad came to the Lord. |
