December Update

Dear Team Members, Dec 16, 2009

In all honesty, as I prepped to write this newsletter, as typically done by anyone seeking to compose any letter for that matter, I spent some time simply pondering what exactly I wanted to share. Something, which most would agree was probably a great, if not the most logical first step in terms of writing. However, given the fact that we are now in the Christmas season, I myself, along with the other millions of avid Christmas card writers around the world, wanted to bring to you an ever so timely word, specially seasoned with encouragement and inspiration, filled with excitement to the “nth” degree, while all at it’s very heart and core beating with a certain spice of that “seasons greetings” that we all love during this time of the year. So as I geared up to write, I myself, once again along with every other Christmas card writer in the world, put on some Christmas tunes, compliments of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, grabbed a warm cup of tea, and waited for those inspired “words” as described above, to fall gracefully onto the paper… Or the computer screen in my case…

Yet time ticked by, followed by a washroom break of two, and to exaggerate things a bit more (which I may tend to do a bit too much), I eventually felt as if it could have been nearly the middle of April, with Christmas long since past, and my computer screen still blank.

So I stopped for a moment. And I realized that when it all came down to it, this past month, in the eyes of most anyone looking in, didn’t really contain too many heart stopping moments, moments so filled with excitement that they found themselves tearing at the seam, or moments that would find themselves screaming to be included in an action filled adventure book. In fact, it was quite uneventful in that aspect. I was actually quite sick for almost an entire week in which I spent most of my time in my room trying to recover, therefore rendering myself fairly useless, prior to that I had an ankle injury that kept my from taking part in many activities, the prison ministry continued to be on hold due to sickness in the facility, and now things are beginning to slow down for Christmas. Not exactly how I envisioned things going.

However, while I may have significantly lowered my chances of reaching my original trajectory in terms of a word filled with excitement, adventure, or what we traditionally accept as inspiration, here is the conclusion that I reached.

One of the few successes that I saw this month is the fact that I have been able to begin meeting weekly with two young soccer players from the team we coached this past year. Something that doesn’t involve me jumping off of buildings, riding through jungles, being chased by wild animals (not yet anyway), nothing that really merits much in terms of stories of great feats. Yet while it doesn’t seem like much, I can confidently conclude in this; that if that is the purpose that God had for me for this past month, or even during this final season, it’s awesome.

For there are days when our purpose may seem limited and insignificant. Because as far as seasons go, we are often called to read from a script far different from our own, one that casts us in a different part with a very different role than that of the one we expected. Sometimes the role is more or less desirable and sometimes altogether unfamiliar.

However that being said, I believe as we walk in the purposes of Christ, regardless of how insignificant or small your role may appear, if Christ has called your life to facilitate a purpose, it is the greatest role there is.

Merry Christmas,

Love ya guys and thanks for everything,

Matt Hama

P.S I received the CBC Christmas card today. Thanks so much, you guys have no idea how much of an incredible blessing and encouragement it was!

matt_hama9@hotmail.com

Facebook: Tuscan Bullfighting Adventures of a Spanish Muchacho

http://matthama.blogspot.com/

PRAYER REQUESTS/ PRAISE REPORTS

• Men’s team ministry as we carry on with the team.
• Wisdom and direction as I prepare for the transition in life as this season comes to a close.
• Prison ministry - We have been given the green light to begin entering again starting January.
• Relationships with the people here in SpainA successful Sports Ministry Conference over the weekend.

Carrots and Tomatoes...

Dear Team Members, Nov 4, 2009

Ya know, it really is quite exciting when you see the fruits of your labour. I am sure any farmer can tell you that. I can recall back to the days when my parents would bring in tomatoes and carrots from their very own garden. And well, what I specifically remember is the fact that these carrots and tomatoes looked somewhat different from what I was used to seeing in the grocery store, especially when it came to… let’s just call it, “growth development”. They just tended to be quite small in size in comparison to the results the rest gardening world seemed to be producing. Nonetheless my parents always seemed quite content and satisfied, regardless of the fact that the carrots or tomatoes were most likely never going to land themselves on the cover of “Gardener Monthly”, or whatever magazine avid gardeners tune into each month. And while I will vouch that my parents gardening has improved somewhat since those days (at least I think it has) I now look back and I finally understand that joy that they had over what may have appeared to some, as “a few small carrots and tomatoes.”

This past weekend, after a number of months of preparation for our nation wide Sports Ministry course, we finally held the event. And to some, what may have seemed like a small group of 25 or so people, (considering all the work that was put into making this event happen) I along with our team here in Spain, shared in that same joy that my parents had shared with me a number of years back. We were able to witness the fruits of our labour.

It was such an incredible blessing to stand alongside the team members, and watch people come from around the country to take part in what may have seemed like a “small gardening conference” in comparison to other events that have been held in the past. Yet it was exciting as we were able to share, teach, and learn during this past weekend, and watch God move in peoples hearts as they were practically equipped to use the tool of Sport to make an impact for Christ in their communities.

I believe at times, it easy to spend our days metaphorically “looking over at the neighbours garden”, wondering why we can’t produce the same results. However in doing so, I believe we often miss out on the very blessings that God has placed in our own lives. Because while our efforts may not bear the same results as our neighbour’s, I think it’s key that we recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from above, including what may seem like just a few small carrots and a tomato or two. And those gifts, whether tomatoes and carrots or fish and loaves, have a potential that goes far beyond what we are able to see.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

And of course,

Love ya all!

Matt Hama

matt_hama9@hotmail.com

Facebook: Tuscan Bullfighting Adventures of a Spanish Muchacho

http://matthama.blogspot.com/

PRAYER REQUESTS

MINSTRY

· Men’s team ministry as we begin the league this weekend.

· Prison

o We are currently unable to enter because of sickness inside the prison.

PERSONAL

· Wisdom and direction as I begin to take steps in preparation for my new upcoming season of life.

· Physical strength as I have had a few injuries recently that have kept me off the field.

· Relationships with the people here in Spain

PRAISE REPORTS

A successful Sports Ministry Conference over the weekend.

A successful Sports Ministry Conference over the weekend.

A successful Sports Ministry Conference over the weekend.

A successful Sports Ministry Conference over the weekend.

A successful Sports Ministry Conference over the weekend.

Sept Update.... Life's Moments.

Dear Team Members, Sept 30, 2009

Life is filled with a vast array of varying types of moments. You have moments of joy and moments of sadness; you have moments of victory and moments of loss, moments of accomplishment and moments when you feel as if you have accomplished very little. There are moments where inspiration seems to be bursting at the seams, and moments where inspiration seems nowhere to be found. There are moments when you feel as if you ate one two many chicken strips for lunch the other week and are struggling to catch your breath, and moments when no extra chicken strip is needed to have your breath taken away. And while moments in general seem to be in a never-ending flux, that ever-constant state of change that we all have come to know, we never seem to be found lacking that specific “moment”, regardless of whether it’s a dull one, or a moment triple wrapped with excitement. Because as one moment departs, another never seems to fail to almost instantly, yet ever so conveniently reappear on the other side of that revolving door that we know as “life.”

And while many try and wrap, and re-wrap, and re-re-wrap this idea of moments, (as I myself may in fact be doing in some fashion as I write this to you) the truth is, Solomon hit this nail on the head long before in Ecclesiastes 3, when he discussed there being a “time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.”

During these past 20 months here in Spain, I have had some great, yet challenging opportunities to try on a wide range of different types of life’s “moments”, as I am sure all of you have also respectively had in your own lives.

Arriving back here last month, I have had a chance to catch up with all that has been happening here in Spain. It’s been good to have been able to get back into the swing of things in terms of ministry, which has included things such as running a local soccer school in Granada, (video available on the website if you’re interested) carrying on the work with our local men’s team ministry, and preparing for a major National Sports Ministry Training course we’re holding here at the end of this month. Yet while this last month hasn’t failed to present it’s own batch of surprises and challenges, twists and turns, over these last few days I have had an opportunity to simply consider some of the “moments” during my time here in Spain.

Almost a year ago to date, as some may recall me sharing about, I watched a family close to me here in Spain very suddenly lose the father of their family to illness. I saw this family struggle through many moments of tears, deep agony, and heartbreak, as they walked through what I am sure will be one of the most, if not the most difficult moment in their lives as a family. And now looking back, I sometimes wonder how a season like that, one with such significant loss for a family, can be summed up in only a few simple words from Solomon, when he said; there is “a time to mourn”, “a time to weep”, and “a time to embrace.” At times it all seems far too simple for us to say. Not because it’s supposed to be, but rather because we seem to allow it too be, as we skip past each word, failing to recognize that each “moment”, each season that Solomon speaks of, represents somebody. Because underneath the mourning, underneath the weeping, and underneath that firm embrace, are thousands of people in desperate need of the healing that can be found only in Jesus Christ, regardless of whether it be in Spain, Russia, or Canada. Maybe it’s that widow down the road, the child who’s lost a father, or maybe it’s you.

For me, I’ve been challenged as I look back over the seasons and over the “moments”, to allow God to begin to put a face to each “moment”, and to bring greater understanding to these simple words of Solomon, something that Jesus so perfectly demonstrated during his time on this earth. Because at the heart of those times of struggle, as we begin to put a face to the seasons, we also are able to bear witness to those hearts restored, those deep wounds healed, that weeping turning to laughter, and that mourning transformed into dancing.

Please continue to pray for radical transformation in the hearts and lives of those here in the country of Spain.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Love ya all,

Matt Hama


matt_hama9@hotmail.com
Facebook: Tuscan Bullfighting Adventures of a Spanish Muchacho
http://matthama.blogspot.com/

PRAYERS REQUESTS

MINSTRY
• Ambassadors TREC training course here in Spain
o That God would bring the right people for the course
o Financial provision for costs
o That the people of Spain recognize this incredible opportunity to use Sports Ministry in reaching their country.
• Men’s team ministry
• Prison
o We are currently unable to enter because of sickness inside the prison.

PERSONAL
• Wisdom and direction as my 2 commitment finishes with AIS this coming February
• Physical strength as I am using soccer as a ministry tool
• Relationships with the people here in Spain
• God’s continued provision prayerfully and financially

August Update

Dear Team Members, August 13^th , 2009

It has been a few months since I have been able to get an official update out to you all, and for that I apologize, so that being the case, I wanted to take this opportune moment to do just that and give you an update on what has been happening over the last couple of months.

In light of the last newsletter, we were gearing up for our tour to North Africa, finishing up the work with the youth team, and preparing to head off for the summer soccer camps in the States. And now that we are already in August, as you may have guessed each of those events has now come and passed, and each provided very encouraging final outcomes.

The North Africa tour went very well, as we headed into the North of Africa for a few days to play a friendly match, run a clinic, and partner with a local church and ministry in helping open doors. Using the game of soccer was elemental in us aiding these groups in the work that they have been so faithfully serving in over the years. And so without going into too much detail, it was exciting as we traveled into a village in the mountains to work with this group, (which was an experience in itself, as traveling on a normal road in Africa is an adventure let alone a windy mountain pass) and through a simple clinic on what looked like a dirt parking lot, we saw opportunities for future ministry opened up for the groups working in this exceedingly difficult spiritual climate.

With regards to the youth team, it finished up well, and I guess it was a bittersweet ending. Being such a challenging season in terms of busyness with the team, it was good to wrap up a good season, yet to say goodbye to week in and week out coaching of these young guys in soccer and life was definitely tough. Looking back over the year, the relationships that had been built, and recollecting the challenges and laughs leading back to the first few practices in which we had just a handful of guys coming out, made seeing a solid group at the end sitting in the change room as we shared a testimony so mind boggling. To experience in a very real sense, God using the silly things of this world (that being soccer) over a calendar year, to open up opportunities on so many fronts, for us share how God had impacted our lives was truly amazing. Because the truth is, Spain can so incredibly cold when it comes to the Gospel and Jesus Christ. And to see young men listening intently, and openly, as we shared not just as outsiders with something to say, but as two people that had lived and experienced life with them over the past year changed everything.

And I suppose it can often be like that for many things our lives. In the beginning the task at hand can often appear so insurmountable, and it’s easy to really begin to question how conquering such mountain is going to be possible. Yet the moment when you stand upon that summit, and you hear God saying “this is what I wanted to show you,” it makes gazing out at all the hills and valley’s that you had to walk over to get to that very moment, so incredibly filling. In that moment, you are so powerfully reminded of the incredible truth that God is sovereign, that His plans are so much better than ours and to know that His yoke, is good.

And as it stands, I have just finished up the summer coaching tour, which went great, as we spent 5 weeks in the States, partnering with churches, and sharing the message of Christ through soccer camps around the country. There were twists and turns and hurdles to overcome throughout, as I had a concussion during the final week of camps, yet overall the 5 weeks were very encouraging. We had a great team, and to work alongside the various coaches from around the world in seeing the lives of kids impacted was a real privilege.

And now, I am currently back home in Williams Lake for a few more days prior to flying back out to Spain to carry on the ministry over there, which will kick off right away, as there are camps to run right away once I return. This upcoming term, I am really praying into where God is leading me, and what areas I need to be serving in. I ask for your continued prayers for direction with these upcoming months and that God would really show me where He wants me to step.

Love you all,

Matt Hama

matt_hama9@hotmail.com

Facebook: Tuscan Bullfighting Adventures of a Spanish Muchacho

http://matthama.blogspot.com/

May Update

Dear Team Members,                                                                                                                                                May 4^th, 2009

 

Well to begin this month’s update, it’s going to require you to dust off that good old imagination of yours, so I will give you four seconds to prepare yourself to do exactly that...one…two…three….and a half…..three and three quarters….ok…. four!  You with me on this?  Let’s rock… 

 

Take yourself for a moment to that place in time where everything comes down to one last moment, one last play.  You’re in the 89^th minute of the game, the last minute of the 3^rd period, the final lap, the last round, the last minute of the 4^th quarter, the 9^th inning, the 18^th hole etc, etc.…. Wherever you choose to actually find yourself is ultimately up to you…. However you’re in that moment, and everything comes down to this last play.   You have no more time-outs left, the water bottles are empty, your play book is all used up, and you have finally exhausted what seemed to be your endless supply of that “Icy-hot” muscle rub/gel.  Everything that you have trained for, every moment of preparation now comes down to this final moment in time.   And suddenly without notice the world you find yourself in turns slow motion, and that opera music they usually use for theatrical purposes in movies is strangely playing in the background, leading you to your moment of self-realization. This moment seems to last an eternity and a half, as you truly begin to grasp and understand the weight of your next move.  It’s as if the world stands “almost” still.

 

Well on that note, the end of the season is coming up here in Spain, and we have begun preparing for the transition over to the summer schedule.  More specifically what this means is, our season with the youth team we have been coaching is also coming to an end.  And not just that, but due to circumstances which include future steps, we are going to be unable to carry on coaching the team in the following year.  Therefore, our true “89^th minute” with the youth soccer is fast approaching.  And while I am sure that many of the relationships that we have build with the young guys will carry on, the opportunity to speak into their lives at least three times a week, and work with them in that team environment is coming to an end.  And so in a way, as we come to our final moments with them, there is a sense of that “final lap” sort of feeling.  So where I am going with this whole ”last moment” sorta theme in this months update?  Well, as we approach our moment with the team, I suppose my prayer in light of all the hype that can surround the “18^th hole”, is that we would be reminded that Christ is Lord over 89^th minute, just as He was in the 1^st minute.  And that it’s Him, who was moving in the hearts of these young guys since the 1^st minute, and will be Him drawing them to Him in the 89^th minute. 

 

With all that said, I also want to encourage all you.  Whether you are in the 89^th minute, or in the 1^st, may you to remember that Christ is king over the beginning and the end, and each moment in between. 

 

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support

 

Love you all,

Matt Hama

 

P.S I will be returning into Canada for a visit beginning June 2^nd prior to heading to the States to run soccer camps, as I am needing to sort a few things out with my passport.  This being the case, I am looking very much forward to seeing many of you, God willing. 

matt_hama9@hotmail.com

Facebook: Tuscan Bullfighting Adventures of a Spanish Muchacho

http://matthama.blogspot.com/

 

Prayer Requests

 

·       Final month with the youth soccer team

o       That God would continue to work in the young guys hearts

o       For wisdom in these final days

·       My physical health (still from shin splints)

·       Summer preparations

April Update

Dear Team Members,                                                                                                                                              April 6^th, 2009

 

Once in a while, ever so often, you come to these certain moments in life when you find yourself looking back, and you begin to see that all those things that never did make sense, those things that made up a mountain of misfit puzzle pieces in your life, have somehow now taken shape and aligned themselves into an incredible picture.  A picture, that you yourself could have never conceived imaginable.  

 

When you find yourself in moments like these, it’s easy to recall the individual steps along the way, and identify the key factors that you stood so firmly upon, factors that you saw as integral to the formation of your dream.  Yet as time progressed and as you witnessed so many of those key factors fall hopelessly apart, you were once again reminded of the ways of God in the words of Isaiah when he said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 

This past month, after challenge and struggle, after many joys, yet many frustrations, after many late night training sessions, after all sorts of twists and turns, after eight months of trying to speak truth into young lives, after months of coaching a youth boys soccer team, after all this, we were so privileged to witness the first two young men on the team commit their lives to Christ.

 

It’s been a journey with these young guys.  Watching them develop as young men on the field, but also to just watch God move and continue to move in hearts, has been amazing.  There have been so many God given moments, during these last eight months, to walk alongside these young men, and to challenge them to pursue excellence in life on and off the field has been a great privilege yet at the same time a huge challenge.  With so many of these young guys seemingly coming from places where they are given a daily portion of reason to believe that there lives will never amount to much, this season has been a constant battle, to see the truth reign, that Christ’s plans for their lives are for a hope and a future.  And while at times we see mere “baby” steps in terms of progress with them, we see those “steps” and for that we are encouraged and excited. 

 

And all this being said, initially we were in line to coach an age category lower.  Our first practice we had 5 players.  And they were considering dropping the team.  But God had different plans.

 

As seasons change, as plans are altered, may we continue be willing to allow God transform our dreams into His, as we see the sovereign hand of God working out things for greatness in spite of the fact that our expectations differ.

 

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support

 

Love you all,

Matt Hama

matt_hama9@hotmail.com

Facebook: Tuscan Bullfighting Adventures of a Spanish Muchacho

http://matthama.blogspot.com/

 

Prayer Requests

 

·       Boy’s soccer team

·       My physical health (currently recovering from shin splints)

·       Direction for future

·       Upcoming trip to North Africa