Daddy Dz

This was a good week, but much different from the last. I didn't have nearly as many meetings set up (5), so I spent a good amount of time making phone calls and following up with the meetings from last week. I have had 4 families join my home team so far! It is really encouraging to have people enroll in the Automatic Monthly Payment promptly. I spent 3 days at the office this week. The first was for a staff meeting on Tuesday. We brainstormed ideas for an FCA summer program to be run out of the rec centers. We listed the different activities we thought should be in the program then researched models of how others have done them before. The other two days were very laid back at the office. They are preparing for football camp at CAU next week so they had little things to cover. I helped them with a few tasks, but otherwise just did my own thing with support raising. I did discover that the office we use at CAU is the building and football field where they filmed most of the movie Drumline! That was fun to find out.

We went to Daddy Dz BBQ on memorial drive for lunch on Friday. It was me and 4 of the guys. I guess I should get used to that.

Also, here is a pic of the guys. From left to right: Jamal, Mark, Terrence, and Gary.

Since I had such a productive week last week I had high hopes for this one. But obviously, I can't sit still for very long and I get anxious if i'm not meeting with 3-4 people a day. I feel like I should be doing more with my time to get the money raised, but every week may look different. I can't make people pick up the phone, or get there money in. I can just do my part to be on top of the things and the rest is between them and the Lord. I have some good leads for next week so I am excited to keep things rolling... Ciao.

Blue Sharks

This morning I went to Atlanta Youth Academy to meet a gentleman named Tom Elias. AYA will be one of UFC's main partners and already has some Saturday soccer games going. Tom Elias is the creator/ visionary of the UFC. We didn't a chance to talk about many things but We did resolve that he was the one that put together the strategic plan for UFC.

Anyways, when I got to the fields most of the teams had already played but there was on game left. Tom told me I should coach them. I was a little hesitant but I gave it a whirl and it was so fun and refreshing. The team was named the BLUE SHARKS and the kids are just so cute and fun. It was both girls and boys of ranging ages that participated. It reminded me of the days when I played back at their age. The parents were watching from the stands and were cheering their kids on. Every kid had proper equipment; cleats, shin gaurds, socks. And their t-shirts said "FCA Soccer" on them! I also learned today that AYP stands for Atlanta Youth Project. I don't know much else about it, but I know that it was started by the same people AYA was.

It was awesome find out what is going on in the inner city with soccer already. It seems as if I won't be starting from ground zero and I am excited to partner with the folks that have the same vision and heart for this ministry. Tom and I will hopefully be able to meet up soon and put our heads together. The BLUE SHARKS were tied at half but we lost 4-3...bummer.

Let's Go

First week home:

Monday: Met with Kim Boyce (supervisor) at 830a, after a nice workout at seven. Then I met with a gentlemen that works for the Cecil B. Day Foundation for lunch. He was very helpful to point me to several people that he thought could partner with UFC. Also, I have an interview set up to see if I will get approved for a 'one-time matching gift' for my first years support. It was very encouraging and fun to talk to someone with great connections and a heart for ministry.

Tuesday: I attended my first staff meeting this morning with the inner city atlanta gang. The first part was very spiritual filling; a time to share about what is going on in our region and in our hearts. The opening prayer was lead by Samira Brinson (fca HBCU rep) and it was very powerful. Danny Buggs (Area Directer) would clap whenever he got passionate during the prayer. I love it, however, just takes some time getting used to. After this I met with Charles Brooks about joining my Home Team. He committed to a monthly amont on the spot and signed up the next day! I was very encouraged by his repsonse and blessed by my time with him. I went to dinner at the Smith's house tonight. I loved my time with their four boys and just the positive fellowship.

Wednesday: I went up to Rome, GA with Kim to meet Janie Jones. Janie's husband coaches football at Shorter College and she has worked on FCA's staff for over fifteen years. She gave me some advice on coaches ministry and listened as I told her about my vision for soccer in the inner city. After this I went straight to Church of the Apostles to meet with Alan and Susan Scott.
This couple spent time asking great questions and really listening to my heart's cry. Alan asked me what my main objective in starting soccer in the inner city would be? This is a difficult questions but as I thought about it, I told him that I didn't feel like I was in control of this vision. The plans just kind of landed in my lap, and I feel like God has lead me to this place for his purpose. I don't know how the purpose will unfold. I know that my idea of success is completely different than the Lord's. My goal is to stay in the center of God's will (Typical of a Covenant grad, eh?).

My God is my God. My vision is NOT my God. That's why my purpose is not found in a job position or role. Sinclair Ferg, "I do one thing, in a thousand different ways."

It isn't about breeding soccer players. But showing the love of Christ through mentoring relationships, pointing them to the cross. Not by Bible-beating or evangelistic tracts, but through the fruits of the spirit. Soccer is simply a catalyst to teach the kids a Christian worldview.

Thursday: I had my first conference call today! It was a Sports Specific Ministry (SSM) training. Then, I met with Craig Flanagen (commercial real estate agent) today for lunch. He had such a humble spirit. I could tell that inner city was not necessarily his heart's cry, but he took such interest in it because he saw it was mine. I also met with the Wood's family tonight. On my way over to their house I was semi-burnt out of saying the same thing over and over again. We chatted and hung out for nearly an house before I said anything about my new job. I couldn't help to feel bad asking a family with three young kids for support, but i'm not gonna limit God's financial provision for me. It was such a blessing for them to recieve the vision well and be willing to be on my 'Home Team'. I just need to keep sharing and trust that the Lord knows all there is to know about the people I am talking to, because often I don't know much about their situation.

Friday: I met with my old boss Jason Bilotti at one of his Chickfila stores. Once again, this meeting went really well. I was able to ask him questions and for advice on several things. He is a man of the Lord and has a heart for the ministry. He is doing so many things for the Kingdom with the money the Lord has blessed him with. Then, I was able to shadow Mark Senter (2.5 months new inner city area rep). We visited Brown Middle School and MLK Middle School. I was able to meet people in both places. I was even able to talk with the soccer coach for a while at MLK. It is SO good to finally be able to visualize what I will be doing as opposed to constantly talking about it. Don't get me wrong, talking about it is good, but I would rather walk the walk. Anyways, I am really excited to work with Mark and see what is going on in the schools in the Atlanta Public School area.

Saturday: Today, I am going to meet Tom Elias. I am going to AYA to check out the soccer ministry they have going on there. I am very excited to meet Tom, I think he either put the UFC strategic plan together, or has good knowledge of it. I am interested in seeing how they do things, compared to what I knew in Chattanooga Sports Ministry.

This is very detailed, and more objective than subjective. And it is a bit repetitive. Seems like I am either an optomist, or God really blessed my appointments this week. If you know me at all, it is not the former. I will be real about how things are going. No worries there.

"Thank you Lord, for the great first week you have given me. I am constantly being humbled by the place you have led me to. I am not in control, but I am able to rest in that."