In October, a lot of interesting events took place for the Christian club “SKY.”
We came up with the idea to start a floor hockey tournament with the use of a “Transition Cup,” between 5-8 grades at the school where we train teenagers, and then to do such a tournament once in half a year, in the fall and spring. The main goal of this competition is to recruit new children to the team so that they can hear the Gospel at the training sessions. And in early October, we already held the first such tournament, which has determined the winner who received the cup and prizes. All the participants got a lot of impressions and pleasure, as well as well-deserved gifts. And after this tournament several new children started coming to the practice.
The next weekend, after this tournament, the less important event was waiting for us – the grand opening of the season for our club. We were engaged in the inventory of the last season with our younger and older teams, and we also rewarded the best players according to their results, and sketched out some plans for the new season. The players from younger team signed contracts for the first time so that they can have an understanding of their responsibility for what they do and would grow in doing it better. Parents of children were invited and some of them were present at the celebration. We talked about things that stand in the way our growth in discipline and responsibility, and then took a look at what the Word of God speaks of laziness. And then, they had the opportunity to hold a photo session for the senior team. We had a good and useful time with the team while analyzing our work and plans for the future.
After all, for the senior team was waiting a difficult exam in the form of the First round of the First League of the Ukrainian Championship on the floor hockey. And it really was difficult for them to cope with it. We see that the level of teams has improved, and after several defeats we again spoke about our discipline and the way we work, and that God is worth more of our dedication to Him. We had two days in the competition, stayed together, ate together, talked a lot and had Bible lessons about true worship to God. Being on this tour, we gained some difficult but useful takeaways from God in both spiritual and sport-related ways.
A week later, the junior team took part in the 1st Round of the EDGE Christian League in the categories under the age of 12-15. The younger teams have shown far better results and won. And there were also opportunities to talk with the boys individually about their character and selfishness, which were noticeable while they were playing on the field.
On the same day, part of the guys from the senior team went to the village Zorya, which is located in the Rivne region, to show what floor hockey is, and to hold a small tournament at a sporting district competition for children. It was also a good time to be with the guys both on the road trip and at the tournament when we spoke on different topics and just stayed together.
Please continue to pray for this ministry. Thanks to many prayers, the younger team was recruited with new children who now can hear the Gospel twice a week. But the children’s team has a steady turnover, so we ask you to continue praying for the recruitment of new children and the expansion of this ministry. Also, pray for the spiritual growth of the people involved in it, and the involvement of new dedicated people to God and His cause. And also pray for the repentance of the boys who know a lot about God and attend the church from time to time.
Vitaliy Bakunets
