To Caesar what's from Caesar, to God what's from God

One of my collegues put it this way, "Working as an official sports mentor/chaplain in the Olympic Village is somewhat like working in a closed countries. There are a lot of official boundaries put on what you can and cannot do. Every day they are reminding you not to..." 

Not taking pictures of athletes or any delegates, not take pictures of their residences. Not speak about operations, names or details of our work here. We must wait to be asked for a bible or other material. We are not permitted to offer it to them! The list goes on but there are ways around most of the policies and procedures. We just need to be creative.

Interaction with most of the faiths chaplains is going great. I really like Tom, our shift Catholic priest who's invited me to open the word on his services when there are many Spanish speaking participants who don't speak English. He's a gentle, soft spirit, hard worker man.

We have been working in the village for over 10 days already. Even before most delegations where here we have good attendance to bible studies, Olympians who come to the prayer room just for quite time, informal times of worship and reading and sharing, one on one times, and even a good size Sunday Services. 

Most of the delegates are in now, and many of them have started to compete. Looking forward to the next 17 days and what the Lord has prepared. 

I am off to the village shortly. Please pray for

• Pray that we are respectful of the boundaries and rules on our role. Pray we feel freedom in the Lord to know He was before, during and after where we are, and we enjoy freedom in Him and we have a broad scope perspective and hope in how He acts in and through us all the time.
• Divine appointments and creativity in me. Some days we work for 12-14 hours.
• God’s Spirit to lead me in what I do and what I say at any given moment.
• Pray for Cesar. He's starting his competition on the 31st, and Cristobal, Ingrid and I are meeting with him every day when his work out is finished.
• Pray for participants at Eternal Triumph 2012 project. About 40, of the 140 are already here, and preparing the way for everybody to start on the 3rd.
• Pray for Lidia and Samuel. They have one more full blast day in Tallinn. They will return to Malaga where Josue and Lucia wait for them.

Thank you so much,

Ruben

London 2012 pictures gallery

Enjoy some picture & video highlights of my time in London. You can see, share, comment, download at Flickr too.

Serving Olympians in the Athlete's Village

I write to you from St Katherine's Royal Foundation, where I'll be hosted until August 13 in London, with the other 18 international sport chaplains who will serve the Olympic family in the Village. 

I do count as a privilege and appreciate all your prayers and words of encouragements. So does Lidia as she guards the bunch back home.

Yesterday we had a full day of training and orientation and today we will pick up credentials that will allow us entrance to the Olympic Village as well as our volunteer uniforms. Official work shifts starts today for my team (2-10pm). 

I attach an article about a friend and co-worker who will also serve as a chaplain. It will give you a glimpse into the type of ministry we will have:

Chaplains Pour Into Lives of Olympians

Please pray:

• That I get all the final details done so not to be stressed as I leave town tomorrow.
• For safety and uneventful travel.
• For health and safety as I am in London.
• That I will be filled with the Spirit and in tune to His leading the next month.
• That God would provide divine encounters for me to serve, encourage and minister to athletes, coaches and officials in their faith.
• That I will quickly make good connections with those Christian athletes I already know.
• That I will get good rest during my down times.

I will be sending updates out over the next few weeks. As you watch the Games, please be reminded to pray for the ministry that is happening behind the scene.

On your kness 4Olympics!

Dear beloved prayer warriors,

Would you like to pray for specific athletes during the Olympics? Go to the following link and sign up to do so:

http://olympics.athletesinaction.org/prayer-strategy/

http://prayeurope.com/prayer-projects/london-olympics/

Praise & continued prayers for Euro 2012 (Poland & Ukreine)

http://prayeurope.com/interact/articles/wrapping-up-euro-2012/

Feel free to pass this on to others!

Fifteen years with Frigiliana & Samuel's ears

Last saturday we opened the 15th edition of Campus Villa de Frigiliana (www.campusfrigiliana.com), our basketball camp in Malaga. Fran Vazquez, drafted and still desired by Orlando Magic and blocks recordman from ACB play offs & Euroleague history! and ACB champion with FC Barcelona this season will be with us as guess start this time.

Coaching staff, campers, program rolling smooth, and taking expectations above as often. We are very thankful to all of them and to many of you for your support.

Lidia was with me here yesterday and today, but headed back to Malaga tonight. Samuel will have to go through surgery again after one year of tonsils removal & ears draining pipes, in the summer again, so not fun for his love for the water (he lives in & under water :-).

Let's pray & hope with you that recovery takes short & he can enjoy the warm mediterranean, grandpas' pool & even make it back with Lidia, Josué & Lucia for the last days of camp.









I will have only 2 days between closing day next sunday here and my depart to London, to serve as chaplain at the Olympics Village. Keep praying for a fruitful time in London & safety for the family until my return August 13.

Yours until the nets are full,

Rubén

Athletics AIA Club Canarias

Dear partners,

I thought you would enjoy and celebrate with us on this news. Athletes in Action Spain is witnessing a blast in the Canary Islands with the leadership of vounteers like Matias Ojeda and Matt Sell and their families. They are serious amateur runners (Matias an endurance champion, and Matt a race walker), and have launched an Athletics Club under the name of Athletes in Action.

Last May we had an internation project with Tim Ellis and other staff and runners, and a couple weeks ago, Matt helped put together a Marathon/Half Marathon/10K team, who not only won the III Gran Canaria Maraton (4,000 participants), but left an outstanding testimony and impact on runners, organizers, media...

Daniel K. Wiljinson, a counselor at Liberty University, and our champion, is considering ministry with Matt's mission in the Islands. Pray for the follow up and through of God's fingerprint in the Canary Islands. Pray for Matt & Mateo, their families and their ongoing opportunities and wise direction setting. Pray for the pland and dremas to see this bless all throughout Europe.

Matías (#274) qualifying for Spain's Cross Country Natls., a week after  winning silver at the 10k race in Gran Canaria

We are praying and planning a Ultimate Training Camp, God willling March 23-27, 2013 there. Please help us with your intercession for God's direction on this and all the work to develop the "Athletics AIA Club Canarias".

Read here an owesome interview with Mr Wilkinson by a local newspaper, 

or check a video or a picture gallery of the project:

http://kneesandnets.blogspot.com/2012/02/kalib-wilkinson-gran-canaria-2012.html

Until the nets are full,

Ruben

Kalib Wilkinson, Gran Canaria 2012 Marathon Champion for Athletes in Action

Congratulations for your victory Mr. Wilkinson, How did you become interested in taking part in the Gran Canaria Marathon?

Thank you very much Fernando! First, I want to thank you for taking time and effort to get to know me more through this interview. It is a privilege to be able to answer your questions. 

I immediately became interested in the Gran Canaria Marathon this summer when I heard that Athletes in Action was putting a team together to compete in the Canaries. I am a partner with Athletes in Action and when my friend Matthew Sell, who lives in Tenerife, invited me to be apart of the team of Athletes in Action running the race, I was immediately excited about it, because I wanted to know the Canary people.  I have heard how beautiful the Islands are and I like to worship God while running in beautiful places.   

-We know you work in the Liberty University of Virginia, but could you share your background as an athlete?  Have you had other victories in your career?

I originally began running to get in shape for basketball, but the Lord had other plans. I began running seriously when I was 14 years old and was on one of the best high school teams in the country. I ran in the university in Colorado and was not as successful as I had hoped. After college I did not know what I wanted to do with my running. I was running on my lunch break one day and ran into Khalid Khanochi, the world record holder in the marathon. He told me that I should run a Marathon, so I ran one 6 weeks later and liked it very much. I ran my fastest marathon in 2:19 at the Boston Marathon this past April and was 22nd overall.  I have won 2 or three local half marathons, but never a marathon, and never one this big. I did not realize that this was my first marathon victory until I was getting ready to go to sleep after the race. Here is a video of me running: http://youtu.be/OIBpYcxopbo   

-What thing did you enjoy most during the marathon course?

I really enjoyed the excitement and the encouragement from the spectators. Even though they did not know me, they cheered for me and this was very special. I also really enjoyed the beauty of the Island. I like to use marathons as a 42 kilometer sanctuary for worshiping Jesus and the beauty that He created in people and nature. 

-What things did you find that were different between this marathon and other races that you have run?

From what I have seen, Europe seems to do a better job of putting marathons on in many ways than the United States. The biggest thing that was different for me in this marathon was joining along with the club, Educere Sport (led by Basilio Labrador & Tere Linares).  Educere Sport warmly allowed me and my Athletes in Action friends to train, travel, lodge & compete with them.  They showed me Canary Island hospitality, helped orientate & prepare me for the race and I now have some new friends.

-Did you find the marathon difficult or have any difficult moments? Was there a time during the race when you though that you might loose the race?

Marathons are always difficult, no matter how fast or slow, because they are very long. At 25-30 Kilometers my legs are always tired, even if I am doing a slower long run for training. I did not have difficulty with the pace, but at 21 Kilometers I had to begin trusting the Lord even more to carry me one kilometer at a time, because I was getting tired from the distance and it was warm for me. I had to keep taking one step at a time and trusting the Lord to carry me one more kilometer. I was very grateful for the clouds and small rain by the beach on the second loop. This was a gift. I was not sure I would win the race, especially at 21 kilometers when I was running with Nacho Martin, because I did not know how he was feeling. I did not know I was going to win until I was at 40k.

-How do you see the level of competition among the local runners?

The competition was excellent. There are many good runners on the Canary Islands. It is great to see so many fast runners, and from all ages. 

I really enjoyed running with the half-marathoners for the first half of the race. They helped me so much. And I got to run with Nacho Martin until just after the half way mark. I dont think I would not have run as fast without this competition and him pushing me faster.

-"He is my victory", is this your message?

"He is my Victory" is written on my head band and it is my message both to myself and to all who see me run. He is Jesus and it is through Jesus that I have victory in life. He has given me life, peace, and deep satisfaction in enabling me to know my Creator.  My real victory in life is not in winning a race, but knowing God in a relationship through Jesus Christ.

-Is it easier if you have an extra help from up above?

Running is a gift from God for our enjoyment & to praise him with. He gives me courage and strength to endure & enjoy it.

-For whom or what reasons do you pray during the race?

I pray to God during the race, not as some sort of religious ritual or good luck charm, but as a conversation with the Creator.  I pray and celebrate his strength and recognize my smallness and inadequacy apart from Him.  Prayer is conversation, celebration & worship.

-What message or values do you wish to trasmit with the proyect of Athletes in acción?  Anything towards social problems do want to act?

The desire of Atletas in Accion is to develop three dimensional athletes & coaches - body (physical), mind(mental/emotional) & heart (spiritual).   A dream of Atletas en Accion is that there is a true Christ follower on every team, in every sport and in every nation so that anyone in any nation, in any sport on any team can know God through Jesus Christ.  Atletas en Accion wants to develop & help people in all areas of their life and social problems are part of the sports community.  Athletes are just as prone (or more prone) than others to need help with addictions, family problems, etc. 

-Are you considering a return back to Gran Canaria next January as the winner next year?

I would really like to come back next year. I would like to bring my wife Mari, who is from Venezuela, and my son Noah so that they can meet all the wonderful people and see the beauty of the Canary Islands.  Lord's willing, I will be back with my family next year!

Thank you very much and hope that we have you here next year.

Again, thank you so much. It is an honor to be interviewed by you Fernando! God bless you and the Canaries!

Fernando Bethencourt

La Provincia Diario de Las Palmas

III Maraton Gran Canaria summary video 

Susie Thomas' surgery update

Thanks for your prayers! “The surgery went well. Susie responded well throughout. The initial pathology report is inconclusive regarding if the tumor is cancerous. Should know in a few days.” The baby is doing good too.

www.benandsusiethomas.com

A global wave of prayer for Susie Thomas

Dear prayer warriors on your knees. I subscribe my coligue's words and encourage you to join us in prayer for Sussie the next days.

"...The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness". James 5: 16

"Dear staff and friends,

As I have prayed for Susie and Ben recently and thought of her upcoming surgery on Tuesday morning here in Ohio, I have had a picture of a wave coming across the globe. I think this is a wave of prayer starting from our staff and friends in the South Pacific, across Asia to India into Central Asia and the Middle East, Africa and Europe then crossing the Atlantic to those of us in North America and Latin America!

When you awake Tuesday morning the 7th, join those who have already prayed and move the wave of prayer across the globe! Susie is expected to have surgery at 7:30 am here in Dayton, OH. This surgery may take 6-8 hours during which they will biopsy the brain tumor. From that they will know the next steps of treatment. She is expected to be in ICU for a couple of days and the hospital about a week.

They will be keeping their website, benandsusiethomas.com, updated so subscribe there for updates!

"Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Judy

Judy Kirkpatrick

AIA Global Leadership Council, NAME & PACT

AIA Global Strategies Leader"

Coaching & Heart Beat Europe Barcelona

Dear partners and friends,

Tomorrow I have a short trip to Barcelona, where I'll be meeting with many AIA & Agape staff and volunteers along a full day to listen and encourage them, pray and plan towards HBE Barcelona, and work with other Agape leaders on possible developments with Life Coaching through Agape.

Thanks for your prayers for us and for Lidia and the family here in Malaga. Yesterday, as I returned from London, my father in law fell from a ladder on a home accident and is at the hospital with 5 broken ribs, a smashed disc and a partly broken vertebra. Thanks God doesn't seem to have further damage, but as you can imagine it's going to be a long recovery. My mother in law had to rush and return from Madrid where she was waiting on Miriam, Lidia's sister who dues of their second son in 4 days. Lidia's second sister, Raquel, dues just a few days later from their 3rd.

Thanks for your prayers for the coming hospital season :-).

Yours thankfully,

Ruben & Lidia

Road2London

Dear warriors -on your knees-,

I just returned from London! I have been there this week with some colleagues doing preparation for our Olympic initiatives this summer – did YOU know this is an Olympic summer? Just seems like we were focused on Beijing 2008! We have traversed the city, learning the underground, trains and buses. Over 100 AIA staff and volunteers will join us in August so a few of us wanted to learn the ropes to help them! I'd ask you to pray that we confirm a venue soon for an outreach breakfast as well as raise funds for our 100 delegates to attend!

And most heavy on my heart and urgent to pray about is a need from my boss, Ben and his wife, Susie. She has just found from an MRI that there is a baseball size tumor on the front of her brain. They have 3 kids and she is 14 weeks pregnant. I am including an update from them next and will continue to do so. If you'd like to get updates about Susie to pray but are not on Facebook, please email me back. I will also put any updates on my Facebook status. 

This is from a recent update from Ben:

"Thank you, thank you thank you!  Prayers from the 4 corners of the earth have been such an encouragement and source of support and strength.  Thank you.  Please keep them coming.  The last few days have been nothing short of a whirlwind as we try and figure out what is going on.  Here are a few things we know:

• God is in control.  He has Susie and the baby in His care.  You have no idea how comforting this is for me.
• Susie has a brain tumor.  It is large and needs to come out.
• We found a surgeon.  Yesterday was a day where we were praying about the right surgeon to use.  A little after midnight, we met the right one – Dr. Glickman!  Even though we were tired, confused, and on a roller coaster, God provided crystal clear clarity that he is the surgeon for us.  God clearly answered that prayer.
• Today, the prayer is for a clear plan of action.  We should have a plan by the end of the day, as we've consulted with various doctors – neurologists, neurosurgeons, and high risk OB doctors.  Please pray for wisdom that  we would have a plan that addresses how we will get the tumor out and keep Susie and the baby safe.
• Most likely, we will look at surgery the week of February 7th, after the Giants beat the Patriots!  (From Ben, a NY boy!)
• We are so thankful for all the support that we have been showered with – the prayers, the meals, the visits, texts, calls, facebook (I think we officially went viral) - Thank you.  For those of you who would like to help in some way, we will send out some communication next week, as we have a chance to gather ourselves over the weekend, and think through the journey ahead for us.

God continues to provide for us everything we need, every day.  The road ahead is long, unknown and will require some major adjustments.  We'll take them a day at a time and continue to rest in the Lord and what He has for us.  May the Lord be glorified in this process and may we be faithful to worship Him.  We appreciate you all so much.  Blessings, Ben & Susie"

Love and appreciate you,

Ruben, Lidia, Samuel, Josue & Lucia

Every Athlete, Every Country

With Cesar Jimenez, at Agape conference

Dear prayer warriors,

Last week we had an incredible time during the Agape (CCC) Spain annual conference. We drove as a family from Malaga to Platja d’Aro, Girona, over 800 miles, stopping in Madrid to spend the night and say hello to the family.

The conference, under the theme: “Called”, gather not only staff at the different ministries with Agape including AIA, but associates and volunteers and friends from our movements. 

Abraham, Pablo & Noemi, Tony & Eli, Arnau, Gala, Cesar, Jessie, Michael... We had an owesome group of a new generation for Athletes in Action. It was neat to see them listen to speakers like Javier, Felix, Natan or Edi, all of them at national or area leadership roles with Agape, but former AIA leaders.

Jesus really ministered and touched our hearts and minds. You can celebrate and pray with us that some of them are confirming their call relating to serving the Lord with AIA different ways.

Today, Lidia, our children and my in laws left me at the airport in Madrid and hit then the road to Malaga. I travel to Orlando, to join 45 Athletes in Action leaders from around the world for our Global LIFE Summit and for the International Sports Coalition ACE Conference with 650 delegates from over 120 countries. 

I’m looking forward to our time together with our dear brothers and sisters.  In addition to our AIA leaders the first days, we will also have several ministry LIFE partners joining us as well.  These are men and women who God has led to join us by giving their Life, Influence, Finance & Expertise.  It will be a true joy to be with them.

• Please, pray for Lidia while I’m away:
• For strengh, wisdom and stamina to deal with our 3 little ones.
• For health and protection for all of them.

• Please pray for AIA corporately that God would lead us as we:
• Seek Him through extended times of prayer, sharing and time in His word
• Hear more about our global direction as a global family around our vision to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport in every country
• Strategize around 3 key initiatives of country growth, our efforts surrounding the Olympics and how to effectively use our strategies such as sports teams to build local spiritual movements

• Please pray specifically for our ACE time too:
• God would give us a great time of being together during this awesome networking and strategic planning gathering.
• God would lead me as I lead and network with many others.
• Please pray for divine appointments and confirmation forward as relates to Road2London 2012 preparations.
• Pray for this time to be of great vision and encouragement to Chris Hughes from Oxford, Wouter and Jonathan from Holland and David & Ellen from Spain whom will be there as well from our area

Thanks so much for praying for us.  Lidia, Samuel, Josué, Lucia and I truly appreciate it. OneTeam with you in Jesus until the nets are full with Christ followers in every team, sport & nation,

Rubén, Lidia, Samuel, Josué & Lucía

On you Knees | October & Novenber 2011

Dear prayer warriors,

Thanks for your renewed care and support and for joining arms as one team. Let's stay toon and sharp "on our knees". Here's some "food" for your intercession. 

Please hold specially Lidia and the kids in your prayers. For Lidia's strength and safety for all of them, as I will be lots travelling until the end of November.

Knock hard on heaven's doors!

• Pray for our visit in Barcelona next October 13-15. Abraham and I will meet with Julio Pérez, Pastor at Betania Church, who's partnering with HBE as host in Barcelona and his leaders, and with Jonathan, Michael & Jouke (AIA Netherlands) & Eduardo Souto (Agape Spain), preparing the way for 2 stint girls from Holland coming to Barcelona (Francine & Jessie)

• Pray for our AIA Spain team meeting at Agape Spain annual conference next Oct 28-Nov1 in Girona.

• Pray for our AIA European and global delegates at International Sports Coalition ACE (Athletes, Cities and Events) Nov 9-15, and AIA Int'l meetings Nov 6-8, both at Orlando. Pray for safety, the sacrificed families, and productive strategic and partnership developments.

• Pray for significant outcomes for synergy and development as many AIA leaders will be representing their national leadership teams gathered at Agape Europe RT Forum, next November 15-19 in Girona as well.

• Pray for Abraham (2nd year) and Pablo, interns with AIA IN Malaga, their development and confirmation as potential staff.

• Pray for AIA consolidation in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, UK, Greece & Italy.

• Pray for the steering and design teams that have will be advancing AIA European and globL involvement at HeartBeat Tallinn and Road2London.

• Pray for the HBE projects in several European cities fully in motion already some of them. Pray for the Dutch stints that are in application for Barcelona, Rome and London.

To Seoul, Korea, tomorrow!

Dear prayer warriors,

Thanks so much for your prayers.  Lidia, me and West European family of Athletes in Action truly appreciate them.  Tomorrow, I will head to Korea, to meet with the Global Leadership Council of Athletes in Action.  This is the team that Lidia and I have the privilege of serving with as the group leads the strategic future of Athletes in Action.  We meet twice a year.

The focus of our time will be:

*   To seek God's face together for the future of our ministry.  We will be spending 2 days praying on the mountains of Korea, one of those days will be in the DMZ as we look into a closed country and seek God's face for what part He wants Athletes in Action to play in reaching closed countries.

   *   Please pray that we would seek God well together, we would hear His direction for us, and we would worship Him together in spirit and in truth.

*   Continue to refine our strategy to reach our vision of seeing, Christ-followers on every team, in every sport in every nation.  Our GLC has identified 30 countries that we will have an intentional focus on over the next 2 years.  We are hoping to come out of our time in Korea with a clearer sense of what we will need to do to reach these countries.

   *   Please pray for God's wisdom as His plans are beyond ours.  Pray that we would be willing to have our faith stretched and do the work of planning, preparing and implementing.

*   To be a blessing to the ministry in Korea, both AIA and CCC, and some of our leaders from other countries in the region.  We will have  a special time with the Taekwondo in Action team on Sunday, Seoul Campus team on Monday, and AIA leaders from East Asia, Mongolia and Singapore through out the week.

   *   Please pray for hearts to encourage and serve our dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.

In addition to these things I would ask that you would pray for Lidia and I personally.  As I leave tomorrow. Please pray for her as she takes care of the kids by herself while I am gone.  Please also pray for me that God would grant me wisdom as I seek the Lord and seek to implement His direction for us.

Lidia and I are so thankful that we can team up with you to serve this family in Europe and worldwide that we get to serve.  We are thankful for each of you that pray for us, encourage us and support us.  Thanks for praying.

Until the nets are full,

Rubén & Lidia

"The Coaching Workshop -How to Empower Others by Integrating Coaching Skills into Your Leadership Style-"

You may remember Ruben has taken some training to use Life Coaching with professional sports people as a way of serving them and engaging with their felt needs.

Life Coaching is a new concept for most people in general, but particularly in the world of sports and is working as a great means of what is our calling and longing as we seek to see transformation and Christ followers and spiritual movements everywhere.

Let me share a definition of Coaching from a Christian perspective by Keith E. Webb, that may help you understand more of what we mean and do with this: “Coaching is an on-going intentional conversation that empowers a person or group to fully live out God’s calling”.

Yesterday I led six hours of a seminar called "The Coaching Workshop -How to Empower Others by Integrating Coaching Skills into Your Leadership Style-" in Madrid in partnership with MEZZO music ministry with ten leaders from all over Spain who work with artists and musicians. Today we will finish with another six hours. Feedback yesterday night was excellent. Please join us on your knees for a journey of learning and praxis today that serves their needs and resources them ahead.

Lidia and the kids are doing great. Samuel and Josué are enjoying their new season at school and Lucia misses them every morning and searches for them climbing to every item at home you would or wouldn't imagine :-)!

Mission Vilnius 2011

http://www.athletesinaction.eu/totalathleteacademy/vilnius2011


Almost 50 AIA and Agape/CCC staff and volunteers, students, coaches, athletes and other sport influencers from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Rusia, Ukraine, Poland,  Czech Republic, Germany, Spain & Holland, gathered last week for Mission Vilnius.

(1) Doug Pollock, evangelist with almost 3 de decades of international experience with AIA (GodsGPS.com, author of God Space), (2) helping the local Agape Student ministry reach out their future leaders, (3) editing and producing a first ever Sports New Testament, Give me the Rock 2 DVD and Meet my Head Coach brochure in Lithuanian, (4) and the city hosting the second round of the FIBA EuroBasket (the largest sport event in Europe this year) where our key ingredients to this AIA Western Europe Total Athlete Academy project.

Many participants say this has been the best training experience they've ever had. Doug has challenged participants hearts and motives with the Word, and dynamically resources and empower everyone's toolbox for beyond methods, but a lifestyle of engagement and belonging with the Lost, as a Christ follower.

Everyday people have gone on small groups and pairs to university faculties, the main opened and populated sites of Vilnius to seek to engage on spiritual conversations, serve with humble acts of kindness, seeking to advance the kingdom God's speed and where he's at already.

Ruben Fernandez, our area coordinator who God has entrusted many relations to the Spanish Federation's players, coaches, officials... Got free tickets for many of the games and this helped the experienced AIA staff like Brook, Doug, Brad and others expose the rookies to apply what learnt with Doug to divine appointments, acts of kindness and serving the people of sports perspective.

Brad Bartz, working with Ruben at AIA west Europe coordination and the point leader for the Baltics is still in Lithuania, travelling with Renata, Agape National Leader to follow up key contacts that along with those who came to Mission Vilnius we'd like to keep serving and challenging together to steer movements that matter everywhere.

Thanks for teaming up with us. Press "on your knees" until the European nets are full.

[OYK] for the upcoming months...

• Appointments for project preparation and summer camps in April and May

• AIA Track & Field Tour to the Canary Islands. May 1-10

• NCAA Volleyball team I Tour to Riga, Latvia from June 16 to 30 (still to be confirmed)
• Basketball Campus Sport + Daniel Santiago in Madrid, June 24 to 30
• Basketball Sport + Campus Villa de Frigiliana Malaga, July 2 to 10
• U20 Men's European Basketball Championship in Bilbao, July 14 to 16
• Agape Europe Leadership Training (AESTC) in Ligondé, July 14-August 13
• AIA European Academy Basketball - Big Men Camp. Klaipeda, Lithuania, August 8 to 11
• AIA European Academy Basketball - Big Men Camp. Zwol, Netherlands, August 8 to 11
• Council Meeting ECSU. Altenkirchen, Germany. August 25
• Training Leaders of European Sports Ministers (ESLT). Altenkirchen, Germany. August 22 to 26
• Total European Athlete AIA Academy - EuroBasket HeartBeat Forum. Vilnius, Lithuania. September 7 to 12

On Your Knees [OYK] March 2011

Beloved friends and partners,

I´m writing you from Colorado Springs, where spring has come with great variety of temperature. Yesterday, sunny and hail. Today a dusting of snow then a bit of sun to send it away, much to the earth's enjoyment.

Lidia, Samuel, Josué and Lucía send their love. Lidia is exhausted after each day but is a happy and radient wife and mother. Samuel is finishing up his last year of preschool. He turns 5 in December. He discovered a passion for basketball like his parents in Basketball School (Escuela de Baloncesto) that we've restarted in church. Josué really enjoys kindergarten and is already a young man. He turns three in August. Lucía is constantly learning and soaking up things from her brothers. She chases them and tries to emulate them during play time. She crawls around and loves to be on her feet; whether with a guiding hand or all by herself. Her strength and long dark hair makes it hard to believe that she just turned 9 months.


I enjoy this precious family that God has entrusted to me and I keep seeking to depend on Him every day to honor Him in everything. It's not always easy, is it?

The Lord has blessed us these past few months with what appears to be the beginning of a team effort for the work of AIA in Málaga and for Spain as a whole, with the calling of "men and women of Macedonia" from all of Europe. 

Between January and February, I was able to visit Giannis Anastasiou and family in Thesolanica, as well as James and Alexandra and family in London. I was also able to meet up with Jacques Iyizire of Oslo, Javier García of Barcelona and have been in communication with Ross Stowers of Agape Italy. All have been making deliberate moves to join with AIA/Agape and lay the foundation for the development of ministry in their countries. Thanks for praying for them and for God's protection and direction for their lives and faith projects. Include Gunita and Arturs an Riga, Renata in Vilnius and Riina in Tallinn in your prayers as well.

From Feb. 7-10 I was able to set up a training for trainers of CRM, to be able to officially give a coaching seminar directed toward those that want to use tools and skills of coaching. Up until now I continue coaching with various people, some of whom are from the sports world. Pray that I might be able to grow my skills and experiences as well as serve as a means to help people open doors to the sports world.

From February 20 through March 5 we've did a pioneer project that we're just thrilled about. We believe that is a window to the future so we press on with faith and hope. As a result of their positive experience with the European Campus of high performers last year in Barcelona, the Dutch federation has requested that help their young female talent program to come on tour to Spain. We, as well as CTO Amsterdam, the federation and the distinct individuals that have received them are all very grateful. We've had many wonderful opportunities to sow seeds and share. 

From March 5-11 I was in Yaoundé, Camaroon with the global leadership of Athletes in Action (AIA GLC), of which I form a part as the Western Europe Coordinator. I was a wonderful time not of prayer, sharing and continuing to define the vision and future of AIA, but also of sharing with young leaders of the area (Mali, Togo, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Liberia, Chad, Ethiopia and Camaroon) to encourage and support them.

We were able to accompany Silas and the AIA Camaroon team with the introduction of projects in collaboration with the National Institute of Teachers and Coaches Training and the Ministry of Sports in that country. Larry Amundson was able to give a talk on sports and character to more than 1200 students in which he shared the gospel in a relevant way. His message was well-received. Among other things, I was able to give a basketball clinic to 60 of some of the best coaches and students of physical education and basketball in Camaroon. This clinic has opened door to do much more with them. Thanks to Raúl and Eduardo de Pablo we were able to take along Lining gear from the Spanish Olympic Committee that we left with certain clubs and institutions.

After a long trip and several adventures, and after just a few hours sleep, I was able to officiate the wedding of Fran and María. Fran is the younger brother of Lydia, who has collaborated and participated in several projects of AIA. María has helped many years in youth work of Agape as well. You can see how gorgeous Lydia and the kids are. It was a joy to be with the couple, and the whole family.

A few days ago at the airport in Malaga we were saying goodbye to a group of college athletes at Ohio University. Accompanied by Mark Heflin, AIA coordinator at the college, they had spent their spring break helping to serve and share Christ in schools, institutes and the University of Malaga. They had also been of great assistance to the projects of our Church Multipurpose Center in La Cala del Moral (mainly Basketball School, Fitness Center and Academy of English). Abraham (our intern from Barcelona in Malaga with us this year) and Lindsey (also with us from the USA for a year) also accompanied them and experienced their first challenge of running a project like this together in a team.

I commented that I'm writing from Colorado. From March 27 until April 13, will be here to visit various partners and present our ministry to different people.

Then off to Houston for various events in the College Basketball scene (NCAA I Men's Final 4). More than 5,000 coaches will meet there, many of whom collaborate with AIA projects in Europe and many others that we will encourage to do so. Two Spanish  coaches, three Dutch (Director of Talent programs, Entrepreneur and Director of Landstede in Zwolle) and three coaches from Poland, Croatia will be with Mike and I in one of the evangelistic events that AIA prepares here (Legends of the Hardwood Award Breakfast). It has become one of the biggest attractions of the Final 4.

Afterwards I'll be traveling to Puerto Rico and Michigan before returning home to visit friends and colleagues and to continue sharing with more people about the challenges and needs of our ministry in Spain and Europe.

Athletes in Action Global Leadership Council (GLC) . Yaounde (Cameroon) . March 5-12, 2011

I went to change Africa, but Africa changed me

Last year AIA's Global Leadership Council (GLC) decided that in order to better serve our country leaders and field staff, we would hold our regular leadership meetings on the front lines of movement building. Last year it was Guatemala and later this fall it will be South Korea. Here with the Global Leadership Council (GLC) are some of our African AIA leaders from Mali (Jean Pierre), Togo (Magloire), Chad (Marc), Ivory Coast (Assouman), Ethiopia (Tsegaye), Liberia (George) and our host country Cameroon (Silas).

Our purpose for gathering as the GLC is to seek God's direction for our future globally as an organization, to build leaders with accountability, to forge our operational principles, and to cast vision for AIA's global future. We have worked further to clarify Athletes in Action's part in the Great Commission, by seeing Christ-followers on every team in every sport in every nation. Thanks for your part in trusting the Lord with us to see this vision become a reality.

When we think about our vision and our mission of launching spiritual movements everywhere in the sport world so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Christ, we have had opportunities to see that in action this past week. Silas Ngong, the leader for AIA Cameroon, set up two strategic appointments that can lead to the AIA movement in Cameroon reaching the highest levels of sport in his country.

First, we met with the leaders of the Higher Institute of Youth and Sports, the premier institution that trains the future coaches and sport teachers in the country. Silas is formalizing a partnership with them and AIA that will allow us to minister to these men and women. After meeting with the directors, we had the opportunity to address the 1,200 students who are part of this institution, the future leaders of the world of sport in Cameroon. Then, we met the Cameroon Minister of Sports to present the first draft of a partnership at the national level.

Another day we visited a national youth development soccer team served by our staff here in Cameroon. Several of us had a chance to affirm Silas's work and tell these young men that there are others like them in many other countries seeking to honor God with their lives. And then typical to Africa, dancing broke out! (Notice the enjoyment of all!).

I had the chance of giving a clinic to 60 coaches and basketball students at the mentioned Institute. The best women's basketball team in Cameroon, the national head coach and the President of the Basketball Coaches Association were there as well. I addressed several of their questions on basketball tactical plan development and physical conditioning in-court, and encouraged them on topics relating to Character.

Thanks to the generosity of Eduardo de Pablo and Austral, we where able to distribute a full bag of sports equipment from the Spanish Olympic Team to teams. AIA Spain donated several high quality leader basketballs, and EMSI-Mision in Barcelona gave us toys and lollypops for an orphanage in Yaoundé as well.

Please join us in praying for Silas and their AIA team as they trust God for life-change throughout Cameroon. As we pray for them, let this be our prayer for each of the country leaders we serve in Western Europe as well, that God would use us to change our countries and the world through the sport world and the power of Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Rubén, Lidia, Samuel, Josué & Lucía