Autumn began with the opening of the season for children, where we also invited all parents. On this holiday, we had taken stock of the past season, rewarded the best and most loyal players, made plans for the next season, and of course had a Bible lesson and drew out some principles for the team based on the life and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This year, we have set the goal of establishing ties and relationships with the parents of children who come to us to play floorball. And that was the reason why we decided to make a meeting for our children’s parents to establish contacts with them. We had a good time together where we were talking more specifically about our club, what our priorities and goals are. Also we organized a trip to our church campsite outdoors. We were enjoying fellowship and were talking about how much wisdom we need in bringing children up and were reading the Bible together to see where we can find it. It was a good time of getting acquainted with the parents and sharing the gospel with them.
This autumn an important event for us we had been praing for a long time was the enrollment of children and the start of training in other schools of Rivne. God gave the opportunity to conduct floorball at physical education classes first in two schools of the city, and then start training of these children twice a week in each of the schools. From the very first training, children can hear the Good News during the Bible study.
Due to the moving into the red quarantine zone of Rivne region in November, the training process became a bit more complicated, because we couldn’t practice everywhere in the usual way. In two new schools, where we organized training before, we were told to stop our activity. Therefore, we tried to get together with the children so as not to lose contact with them and continue to share the gospel with them. But it was also a good time when we could introduce them to each other and bring them closer, because they are from different schools and did not know each other. We spent a few weeks working in this mode, then returned to school to our usual training schedule.
We did a meeting for parents and told them about our values, the purpose of our activities, and the fact that we study the Bible at the training. We also taught a lesson on the relationship between children and parents through which we shared the gospel. Thank God that all parents took it seriously and without complaining.
Also our Christian floorball club “SKY” finished competing in the play-off of the postponed last season Precept Cup. God pleased us with good results: 3rd place, bronze medals and we won the cup. A new game season started with the Christian league “Edge”, which took place in Lutsk, and in which three of our teams took part at once. Each of the teams played three matches, with the senior and middle teams winning all the matches, and the youngest ones winning only once. Apparently, these results were inspired by the support of their parents, some of whom came to root for the children and for this purpose, we made the banner with printed words “GO SKY GO”. A week later, we had other competitions in the same city of Lutsk, called the Precept Cup, in which two teams participated. As always, these competitions were held for two days. Everyone had an opportunity to be at the worship service, where we heard the sermon about the importance of what we listen and watch, and that it can be replaced by listening to useful Christian music, sermons and so on… This time, our boys and girls were not so successful, and because of not very comforting results, negative reactions in the field, coaches had a very good opportunity to speak to their hearts and point out their need for a change of their hearts that only Christ can do.
Also, during this month we had the opportunity to go to the second round of the Christian league “Edge” in Lutsk. Boys and girls who have been involved in the floorball for some time went there. This tour was not as successful for us as the previous one, especially for the oldest team, but despite this, we’re still taking the first place. During the games, we had the opportunity to talk a lot about obedience, and that God blesses the obedient and opposes the proud.
Thank God for this month and for the opportunity to practice and share the gospel with both children and parents. We ask you to pray for these two new schools so that we can continue to train there, so that children could come and hear the Gospel that will change their hearts. Also pray for the hearts of parents, for boys and girls who have been on the team for a long time, but do not yet know Christ personally.
Vitaly Bakunets
