My time in Manila has been incredible so far and I have loved seeing what all is going on. It’s been such a nice mix of the culture that I’m growing to love so much, as well as a few nice treats from home (I was able to get a genuine burrito WITH guacamole yesterday… I’m just saying…). In addition to the little treats that have been here, I’ve also been invited to a few sporting events, which is something I miss terribly. Yesterday, I was able to go to a college basketball game which stared the boss man’s son, Kirk, and his school Ateneo verses another team in their conference. The drum line (that never stopped by the way) was a nice little treat for me.
The game was great and Ateneo won so we were able to celebrate. Kirk played a good game and as a starter, was one of the huge reasons their team pulled out the win. Now, before I watched a game, I had seen all of our kids in Mindinao wearing #12 Kirk Long Ateneo uniforms, but I had never met the kid, so I didn’t really have an opinion on him. As a college athlete you can go one of two ways: arrogant and cocky, or dedicated and impacting. Since I really respect Kirk’s dad, I was really hoping for the latter, but didn’t want to assume anything. As I spent time around Kirk and watched him during and after the game, I could see that he is becoming his own man, with his own mission, but not rejecting of the foundations that have been laid in his life.
After the game, the coach of the losing team approached Jeff Long and asked if Kirk would be willing to join his team the following day to share his testimony. I think this shows a lot about a person. It’s one thing to show up somewhere for ministry and share your testimony and the word of God, but it’s something totally different when people see your testimony and then ask you to put it into words. The way Kirk plays and handles himself won the respect of the team he just defeated and opened the door for God to use him. I believe this is Kirk’s senior year so he will soon be moving on to the next step. The good thing for him is that even though this may be the shortest country I have visited, basketball is their sport. Many doors have already opened for traveling basketball ministry and Kirk may just get to lead the charge through them. I’m praying for him as doors keep opening and God shapes this man into a powerful tool for the kingdom.
My biggest prayer for guys like this is that people would continue to see his testimony first, and then hear the words he speaks. God is in the business of training, shaping, and molding disciples, so I pray this work keeps moving forward.
