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Dear Friends and Ministry partners,
Greetings from Chennai, India. Here is a quick update of what has been happening at Christian Sports Fellowship, in Chennai and southern India in May / June 2007. CSF Chennai On 1st July the last of our Summer Sports Schools Will have their closing ceremony. Nearly 30 Under- privileged communities and Schools went through Sports coaching at these centers. At all of these centers we were able to communicate clearly the Love of Christ through Sports and Life Skills program. At each center there were 25 - 50 players. Some had 25 and some had around 50. One center had 92 players. All participants were given certificates. The New Sports season for us begins in July and all our 15 professional teams have just completed registration of the players. We have 11 soccer teams, 2 Volleyball teams, I Basketball team and 1 cricket team in the State runs secular leagues. We are waiting with great anticipation at what the Lord has in store for us this season. All these teams are Christian teams run by CSF where the players are discipled through the year. Last season 3 of our team were promoted. Please pray that this season also we will be able to work with the teams and clearly proclaim the gospel and disciple our players. During these 2 months we have had 4 " Vision " sessions of 20 minutes each at the main Church services of 4 different Churches. We have had very good responses from the Churches and are working closely with Churches in North, South and Central Chennai on Church and Sports Ministry. Also had the privilege of partnering with 2 para Church Youth ministries on reaching the Youth thro Sports. One of the partnerships is very exciting as they will help with Spoken English, Computer Education and Higher Education help for our underprivileged players from the poor communities while we will coach them on Soccer and Cricket skills right in the heart of the poor communities. PERSONAL UPDATE I was invited to attend the International Sports Coalition Global planning meetings in Orlando during the first week of May 2007. The meetings went very well. Also had the privilege to attend the International Leadership Training Program at Kanakuk, Missouri on Sports camps Ministry during the last week of May 07. Was a very enriching experience to see the way camps are done with such high quality and passion. Also had the opportunity to spend time with 22 Sports ministry leaders from the ISC network who attended the Kanakuk Training. SPORTS MINISTRY - OTHER PARTS OF INDIA Sports Ministry leaders in 2 very largely underdeveloped states in India - Orissa and Jharkand - organized sports focused KIDS GAMES for 200 kids at each city for 3 days each, to communicate the Love of Christ through theses programs. Traditionally these states are considered as " Graveyards of Missions ". It is a joy to see Sports Ministry leaders initiate work in these states. We request that you pray for these leaders as they begin pioneering work in these backward states of India.
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