The 7.25am flight to Dumaguete saw us meet Pastor Gary Visitacion, a bull of a man who has been running sports ministry in the Philippines for more than 25 years. He had scheduled two games for us on this day, a seaside game out in rural Dumaguete and a game against the City team during the evening.
The drive out to the seaside village in a jeepney (large Filipino bus) was great for team unity and the people of the town greeted us warmly. For the large majority of the crowd gathered there it was the first time they had met someone from Australia. The game was played by the sea, with a stray pass sending the ball into the water! No problem at all. The ball was dried off and we began again!
The Sports Ambassadors prevailed against Antonio Ramas 56 -50 in a game that saw excellent performances from Conan Prince and Michael Valenti. Steve Cressie gave his testimony as Pastor Gary translated his words into the local dialect for the people.
The afternoon saw us meet the mayor of the city of Dumaguete in his office and this provided photo opportunities for the local press as well as cross-cultural gifts and pleasantries to be exchanged. The mayor even organised a motorcade around the city to raise publicity for the night game with an announcer calling out the details to all onlookers!
The game at the Dumaguete Plaza began at 6pm and a day that had begun overcast gave way to a clear, hot night in the middle of the city against the best that Duamaguete could offer. The opposing players were great shooters but were overawed by the height and strength of the Australian players and every time Fletcher Creelman threw down a slam dunk the crowd went crazy! The Filipinos replied by shooting three pointers from long range and the match was very close throughout.
When Hedley Taylor gave his testimony at half-time the large crowd listened intently to his life story and his life as a Christian. Many Christians from the local churches, who had been instrumental in setting up the high-profile match were clearly moved by what he had to say.
The handing out of gospel tracts took quite some time and the game resumed at break-neck speed. Clutch shooting from Andrew Stock and timely steals from Rufo Pong kept the game in the Aussies favour until the Dumaguete team rallied behind more long range shooting.
The score was 92-90 in favour of Dumaguete when Steve Cressie hoisted a three-pointer for the winner with 8 seconds on the clock – it rimmed out but was thrown home by Fletcher Creelman to tie the scores at 92 apiece.
The Filipinos threw the ball the length of the floor as every player raced back down the other end and a great catch and finish by Dumaguete’s best player sealed the game as the final siren sounded –
Dumagete City 94-92 Sports Ambassadors
The crowd loved the game and it was a special night for everyone involved. The church leaders were happy, both teams were happy and the mayor was happy.
We left there with out heads held high knowing that we had provided a great contest in which we had lost the game but won the people.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Day 3 – A real test for us
After a 6am wakeup call and a trip across town sans breakfast, we arrived to play San Juan “Big Chill” PBA D-League team.
These were professional athletes who were about to begin their playoff series and they were ready for an 8am match in their empty stadium against us. While we matched them in the first quarter and only trailed at the half 56-46, the third quarter saw them push the lead out with some physical play and excellent outside shooting and finish the match with an 82-56 pasting. While the scoreboard was lopsided, their was a dominant performance from Fletcher Creelman in the middle and solid contributions from senior players Danny Cook and Giles Creelman, who shared his testimony with the players after the game. It was certainly a lesson in humility for our team and we were gracious in defeat.
In our bible studies we have been focusing on the concept of ‘The Audience of One’ which relates to the idea that while we may play sport in front of a crowd of people, we are ultimately playing for God’s pleasure and we need to conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God. This change of focus has allowed us to play against better teams and play to the best of our ability and leave the result of the game on the floor.
Our second game took us to the outskirts of Manila to the imposing Lyceum Forum, a large university gymnasium with an imposing crowd and a lot of noise to greet the visiting Australians. While the Filipino college students were not overly tall, they made up for this with absolute tenacity and a very physical playing style. The lead see-sawed back and forth in the first half before a 14-1 run by the Lyceum Pirates took the half-time score to 21-35. An excellent third quarter for the Sports Ambassadors, who had adjusted to the playing style, brought the lead down to 2 before five new players came out for the Pirates and ran the Aussies off the floor with their aggressive defensive techniques.
Lyceum ran out winners 76-62 and Andrew Stock gave his testimony in front of a large crowd of onlookers. Many of the players hung around after the game and chatted about where they were at in their lives, their aspirations and life in the Philippines. It was a good chance to see the style of play that the university teams of Manila have to employ to be competitive with other teams.
An early wake-up call of 3am is on the cards as we head to the friendlier Dumagete City for the start of our provincial tour of Negros Oriental with Pastor Gary Visitacion.
We appreciate your prayer and support as we journey through this province.
These were professional athletes who were about to begin their playoff series and they were ready for an 8am match in their empty stadium against us. While we matched them in the first quarter and only trailed at the half 56-46, the third quarter saw them push the lead out with some physical play and excellent outside shooting and finish the match with an 82-56 pasting. While the scoreboard was lopsided, their was a dominant performance from Fletcher Creelman in the middle and solid contributions from senior players Danny Cook and Giles Creelman, who shared his testimony with the players after the game. It was certainly a lesson in humility for our team and we were gracious in defeat.
In our bible studies we have been focusing on the concept of ‘The Audience of One’ which relates to the idea that while we may play sport in front of a crowd of people, we are ultimately playing for God’s pleasure and we need to conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God. This change of focus has allowed us to play against better teams and play to the best of our ability and leave the result of the game on the floor.
Our second game took us to the outskirts of Manila to the imposing Lyceum Forum, a large university gymnasium with an imposing crowd and a lot of noise to greet the visiting Australians. While the Filipino college students were not overly tall, they made up for this with absolute tenacity and a very physical playing style. The lead see-sawed back and forth in the first half before a 14-1 run by the Lyceum Pirates took the half-time score to 21-35. An excellent third quarter for the Sports Ambassadors, who had adjusted to the playing style, brought the lead down to 2 before five new players came out for the Pirates and ran the Aussies off the floor with their aggressive defensive techniques.
Lyceum ran out winners 76-62 and Andrew Stock gave his testimony in front of a large crowd of onlookers. Many of the players hung around after the game and chatted about where they were at in their lives, their aspirations and life in the Philippines. It was a good chance to see the style of play that the university teams of Manila have to employ to be competitive with other teams.
An early wake-up call of 3am is on the cards as we head to the friendlier Dumagete City for the start of our provincial tour of Negros Oriental with Pastor Gary Visitacion.
We appreciate your prayer and support as we journey through this province.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
How to send a message to the Sports Ambassadors
One of the best things you can do for the Sports Ambassadors while they are away is send them messages. It comes as a real encouragent to hear from friends and loved ones at home. For those that are unaware of how to do this just follow the instructions below.
1. Click where it says comment at the end of one of the posts that the boys have made.
2. Write your comment in the box provided. (don't forget to include your name at the end)
3. Where it says word verification, type in the word written above the box.
4. Where is says choose an identity select anonymous.
5. Click where it says publish your comment.
Let's really get behind these guys and inundate them with messages instead of just reading what they are up to.
If you have any further questions feel free to email me at greg@sportsaa.com.au
God bless.
Greg Beacham.
1. Click where it says comment at the end of one of the posts that the boys have made.
2. Write your comment in the box provided. (don't forget to include your name at the end)
3. Where it says word verification, type in the word written above the box.
4. Where is says choose an identity select anonymous.
5. Click where it says publish your comment.
Let's really get behind these guys and inundate them with messages instead of just reading what they are up to.
If you have any further questions feel free to email me at greg@sportsaa.com.au
God bless.
Greg Beacham.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Day 2 - Going to the Universtiy and then the School of Hard Knocks
Today was a great day for the team.
Everyone was showered and rested and ready to face our toughest challenge yet - the National University of Manila. This is the largest college in Manila and it boasted two Cameroon internationals who made life hard for our big men Fletcher Creelman and american Joshua Manthe.
The match was a tough encounter with Fletcher dominating on the scoreboard against his opposition and our Filipino import Rufo Pong running the point for us. The University team prevailed in the dying stages 78-67 and we realised we have some work to do before playing some harder games tomorrow. Fletcher shared his testimony well and the players were responsive to what he had to say.
After a short lunch break we headed out to our second game in the Manila suburb of Francisville. It was very much the small, street game with about 50 people coming out to support a team that knew their court (potholes and all!) and shot well. Conan Prince worked hard early on and Steve "Nash" Cressie got our Spirit team off to a great start. At half time Conan shared his testimony and the local pastor spoke to the local crowd and players before the arrival of Andrew Stock by motorcycle to the cheers of the local crowd!
The second half was a much closer affair with Danny Cook dominating the game for the Spirit team and Andrew Stock making some steadying baskets late in the game. The match concluded with an 84-84 scoreline to the cheers of the crowd and then in overtime the Sports Ambassadors prevailed 87-90 thanks to Mike Valenti's solid defensive efforts. Fletcher, resting his knee from a tough morning, enjoying calling the game from the courtside and given the NBA-savvy locals some funny nicknames. His experience in the Australian outback is translating well to the Filipino culture!
It was a great spectacle for the local crowd who witnessed some dunks and no-look passes and some fine basketball by both sides. Tomorrow sees us begin the day at 6am as we travel to play a semi-professional team who will be tough opposition. With Andrew Stock in the team and big Joshua Manthe in the team we have some solid players to complement the skills of super-fast Hedley Taylor and super-strong Conan Prince and super-funny Steve Cressie.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we face our toughest challenge tomorrow morning. The people at the KIM orphanage we have been staying at have been fantastic, as expected, and they all ask when Greg will be getting here to begin the tour!
Such is the legacy of the 10-tour veteran and his brother Paul – no one is taking us seriously without them around!
Everyone was showered and rested and ready to face our toughest challenge yet - the National University of Manila. This is the largest college in Manila and it boasted two Cameroon internationals who made life hard for our big men Fletcher Creelman and american Joshua Manthe.
The match was a tough encounter with Fletcher dominating on the scoreboard against his opposition and our Filipino import Rufo Pong running the point for us. The University team prevailed in the dying stages 78-67 and we realised we have some work to do before playing some harder games tomorrow. Fletcher shared his testimony well and the players were responsive to what he had to say.
After a short lunch break we headed out to our second game in the Manila suburb of Francisville. It was very much the small, street game with about 50 people coming out to support a team that knew their court (potholes and all!) and shot well. Conan Prince worked hard early on and Steve "Nash" Cressie got our Spirit team off to a great start. At half time Conan shared his testimony and the local pastor spoke to the local crowd and players before the arrival of Andrew Stock by motorcycle to the cheers of the local crowd!
The second half was a much closer affair with Danny Cook dominating the game for the Spirit team and Andrew Stock making some steadying baskets late in the game. The match concluded with an 84-84 scoreline to the cheers of the crowd and then in overtime the Sports Ambassadors prevailed 87-90 thanks to Mike Valenti's solid defensive efforts. Fletcher, resting his knee from a tough morning, enjoying calling the game from the courtside and given the NBA-savvy locals some funny nicknames. His experience in the Australian outback is translating well to the Filipino culture!
It was a great spectacle for the local crowd who witnessed some dunks and no-look passes and some fine basketball by both sides. Tomorrow sees us begin the day at 6am as we travel to play a semi-professional team who will be tough opposition. With Andrew Stock in the team and big Joshua Manthe in the team we have some solid players to complement the skills of super-fast Hedley Taylor and super-strong Conan Prince and super-funny Steve Cressie.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we face our toughest challenge tomorrow morning. The people at the KIM orphanage we have been staying at have been fantastic, as expected, and they all ask when Greg will be getting here to begin the tour!
Such is the legacy of the 10-tour veteran and his brother Paul – no one is taking us seriously without them around!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Day 1 - Manila Begins with Two Games
Hey gang ,
Well we have finally arrived in Manila.
After leaving Perth last night we arrived in Singapore at 3am and then changed terminals to board the 6am flight to Manila which arrived at 10am Sunday morning. We were somewhere over Bali when the captain's voice crackled over the tannoy : "Happy New Year to everyone"..
Danny Cook remarked 'Can he keep it down? I'm trying to sleep!'
We were happy to reach the Kids International Ministries orphange on the outskirts of Manila around lunchtime and settle in briefly before heading out the Bible Fellowship International church for some goodwill games of basketball there.
The local youth group team tried hard and they were cheered on by a small but supportive crowd of about 50 jubilant people from the church and from the local neighbourhood. The Sports Ambassadors team won this game easily 72-35 but the exercise was more in building friendships and encouraging these young people to persevere with their faith in this slum-ridden part of town where many unsavoury types have made the job of the local pastors very difficult.
The second game against a non-christian tea was much of the same with Michael Valenti sharing his testimony to the crowd and Pastor Rufo Pong delivering a spirted message to those gathered in the Tagalog language spoken by the people of the Philippines.
A prayer meeting followed at dusk and we have now returned to the orphanage for dinner. There are loud firecrackers going off all around us - obviously left over from New Year's Eve - and people are in a festive and cheery mood.
A short devotional and bed are on the cards for all the players tonight.
We have at least two games tomorrow with the potential for a third in the evening. The morning game will be again the National University Team and should be quite difficult.
Everyone is holding up well despite the lack of sleep. We are thankful for your prayers as we feel there is much good that can be done for the people we are to meet and have met already.
Giles Creelman
Well we have finally arrived in Manila.
After leaving Perth last night we arrived in Singapore at 3am and then changed terminals to board the 6am flight to Manila which arrived at 10am Sunday morning. We were somewhere over Bali when the captain's voice crackled over the tannoy : "Happy New Year to everyone"..
Danny Cook remarked 'Can he keep it down? I'm trying to sleep!'
We were happy to reach the Kids International Ministries orphange on the outskirts of Manila around lunchtime and settle in briefly before heading out the Bible Fellowship International church for some goodwill games of basketball there.
The local youth group team tried hard and they were cheered on by a small but supportive crowd of about 50 jubilant people from the church and from the local neighbourhood. The Sports Ambassadors team won this game easily 72-35 but the exercise was more in building friendships and encouraging these young people to persevere with their faith in this slum-ridden part of town where many unsavoury types have made the job of the local pastors very difficult.
The second game against a non-christian tea was much of the same with Michael Valenti sharing his testimony to the crowd and Pastor Rufo Pong delivering a spirted message to those gathered in the Tagalog language spoken by the people of the Philippines.
A prayer meeting followed at dusk and we have now returned to the orphanage for dinner. There are loud firecrackers going off all around us - obviously left over from New Year's Eve - and people are in a festive and cheery mood.
A short devotional and bed are on the cards for all the players tonight.
We have at least two games tomorrow with the potential for a third in the evening. The morning game will be again the National University Team and should be quite difficult.
Everyone is holding up well despite the lack of sleep. We are thankful for your prayers as we feel there is much good that can be done for the people we are to meet and have met already.
Giles Creelman
Friday, December 30, 2011
2012 - The trip to Negros Oriental begins...
If you can read this you have got to the right page..!
We will be posting daily on our travels and sharing the good news of how the trip is affecting our lives and the lives of the Filipino people in Manila and in the islands of Negros Oriental.
Stay tuned!
Giles Creelman
We will be posting daily on our travels and sharing the good news of how the trip is affecting our lives and the lives of the Filipino people in Manila and in the islands of Negros Oriental.
Stay tuned!
Giles Creelman
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Day Thirteen - 15th of January 2010
Today was just a rest day for some shopping and chilling out. Nothing eventful to report really. For those of you that need to know flight details for picking up your beloved family members and friends they are as follows:
The main group will be heading back to Perth on Singapore Airlines flight SQ215 which arrives in the early hours of Sunday (17th of Jan) Morning at 12:40.
Thanks for following our trip.
Greg Beacham
Team Leader
Sports Ambassadors Australia.
The main group will be heading back to Perth on Singapore Airlines flight SQ215 which arrives in the early hours of Sunday (17th of Jan) Morning at 12:40.
Thanks for following our trip.
Greg Beacham
Team Leader
Sports Ambassadors Australia.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Day Twelve - 14th of January 2010 (Girls)
Today was our last day of ministry type activities. We started off the morning pretty cruisy with a few of us splitting to do different things. Neph and Heather headed up to the Children's Home and looked after babies for the whole morning! Mindy and Miranda went and visited a family they had connected with who have a little girl that isn't well and has some brain damage, to say goodbye. Then Kaija, Carly, Tammy, Shannon and Flick painted the balcony which seems to be taking forever!
Then around 10, all of us except Neph and Heather, went out to a community badly effected by the flood with food for the community, some medical help and some boxes of food and supplies for families in that area, which was recently sent over from a high school in Taiwan. Its always a good challenge being reminded of how very fortunate and wealthy we are back home, and to just see what life is like for so many impoverished people around the world, very humbling. But really great to see the smiles on the kids faces as we loaded up their plates with hot food!
Then after luch we all got back into the balcony painting...almost done! And at around 3:30pm we headed out for another epic journey to our last game of the trip!! The journey involed a drive to the train station, two crowded train rides, and then a walk into the uni campus. We played at an all girls college called Scholastica. And to our delight, the boys came to watch after recently arriving back from their trip down in Mindanao!! The game started slow, we struggled to get out shots in and our minds in the game. But by the second half we started to get our game on, and came back from being down to eventually win the game quite convincingly. At half time I shared my testimony and it was pretty well recieved.
After the game we got to hang with the team a little, they provided some snacks and we all sat around and chatted for a bit. Then it was time for the epic trip back, this time with the boys so our group was more then twice the size!! Two trains, a jeepney to the restraunt, then a stop for dinner, and a car ride home. Wheeew!!!! Everyone is well tired, ready for bed. Tammy and Mindy sadly leave us tomorrow morning while the rest of us will enjoy some earned R&R!! Fun times!
Thanks for your prayers, its been an awsome trip!!
Written by Flick
Then around 10, all of us except Neph and Heather, went out to a community badly effected by the flood with food for the community, some medical help and some boxes of food and supplies for families in that area, which was recently sent over from a high school in Taiwan. Its always a good challenge being reminded of how very fortunate and wealthy we are back home, and to just see what life is like for so many impoverished people around the world, very humbling. But really great to see the smiles on the kids faces as we loaded up their plates with hot food!
Then after luch we all got back into the balcony painting...almost done! And at around 3:30pm we headed out for another epic journey to our last game of the trip!! The journey involed a drive to the train station, two crowded train rides, and then a walk into the uni campus. We played at an all girls college called Scholastica. And to our delight, the boys came to watch after recently arriving back from their trip down in Mindanao!! The game started slow, we struggled to get out shots in and our minds in the game. But by the second half we started to get our game on, and came back from being down to eventually win the game quite convincingly. At half time I shared my testimony and it was pretty well recieved.
After the game we got to hang with the team a little, they provided some snacks and we all sat around and chatted for a bit. Then it was time for the epic trip back, this time with the boys so our group was more then twice the size!! Two trains, a jeepney to the restraunt, then a stop for dinner, and a car ride home. Wheeew!!!! Everyone is well tired, ready for bed. Tammy and Mindy sadly leave us tomorrow morning while the rest of us will enjoy some earned R&R!! Fun times!
Thanks for your prayers, its been an awsome trip!!
Written by Flick
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day Eleven - 13th of January 2010 (Boys)
· Over cast day/ cooler
· Game next to the river open court
· Wet court, 10 minute game
· Testimony: Tristan
· Buzzer beating 3 by Andre
· 3 point + free throw contest (Filipinos won both)
· Excitable crowd
· 100 toothbrush/ toothpastes for kids
· Special farewell lunch with mayor and pastors etc
· Swim
· Certificate, shirt and bracelet
· Scenic route and location for second game
· Scooba Steve gave his testimony
- good finish to the trip
· large, excited crowd
· Jai booster dunk
· Danny got a sweet dunk
· Jai scored a buzzer beater
· Swarmed after game, team gave a few shirts and shoes away
· Nice restaurant meal – Conan really appreciated it
· Andre ambushed by BB guns; swearing vengeance
All in all there was great camaraderie between the Filipinos and Australian teams, the crowds were really enthusiastic; as if they’d never seen westerners before. It was a fantastic way to wrap up our tour of Dipolog and the team heads off tomorrow for Manila in high spirits.
-Danny Cook and Andre Janssen
· Game next to the river open court
· Wet court, 10 minute game
· Testimony: Tristan
· Buzzer beating 3 by Andre
· 3 point + free throw contest (Filipinos won both)
· Excitable crowd
· 100 toothbrush/ toothpastes for kids
· Special farewell lunch with mayor and pastors etc
· Swim
· Certificate, shirt and bracelet
· Scenic route and location for second game
· Scooba Steve gave his testimony
- good finish to the trip
· large, excited crowd
· Jai booster dunk
· Danny got a sweet dunk
· Jai scored a buzzer beater
· Swarmed after game, team gave a few shirts and shoes away
· Nice restaurant meal – Conan really appreciated it
· Andre ambushed by BB guns; swearing vengeance
All in all there was great camaraderie between the Filipinos and Australian teams, the crowds were really enthusiastic; as if they’d never seen westerners before. It was a fantastic way to wrap up our tour of Dipolog and the team heads off tomorrow for Manila in high spirits.
-Danny Cook and Andre Janssen
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