Past Events
From the 6th to the 12th of March we had a team from Michigan State University spend a week on UJ campus and in Soweto doing ministry with us. It was great to have them here meet with our student athletes and really create a buzz on campus about Athletes in Actions. We had the opportunity to hold several team meetings where the MSU students could give their testimonies and share the gospel. It gave a lot more credibility to our ministry to have students from the US join with us and the players really responded to them.
This December we traveled to Plettenberg Bay from the 8th-22nd. The Lord did some amazing things while down on the beach, we had great conversations, great weather, and great unity with the team. Over 1000 people were exposed to the gospel and heard stories of how the Lord changed people's lives. This year we were able to run to successful ministries at once! We had enough team members to run a volleyball clinic and tournament as well as a soccer tournament. This was such a neat opportunity because we could target a different audience at each event and more people could be reached.
August 4th-17th Basketball Coaches Clinic from the US
At the beginning of August we had a group of coaches fly in from the US to run coaches clinics in Johanesburg. It was a pioneer project and the first time we, as AIASA, had brought in professional coaches at various levels to run practical outdoor clinics, as well as indoor teaching clinics for players and coaches. We were able to expose players and coaches from VAAL, UJ, Witts, and different high schools to the gospel.
Well, well what can I say? It was an amazing feeling, one of personal fulfillment and realizing that as you accept to be used by God you are actually fulfilling His purpose for your life which in turn brings a satisfaction within self that no amount of money can buy.
The weekend of 15 - 17 May 2009 we had the privilege of hosting the Sport & Life Conference again. This conference is aimed at the professional sportmen /-women and wants to help them to bring their sport and life together.
In total we had 28 players, wives and coaches attending. Most of the players were from FCAK soccer club and we also had the whole U-19 National Ladies Soccer team. SAFA even arranged their transport!
The goal of this camp is to reach the young and upcoming stars of South African soccer.
5- 21 July 2008 we hosted a North American team. This team played against the National team of Swaziland; a combined Ex-professional team; Bidvest WITS and 3 Vodacom teams. This helped us to start AIA in Swaziland and it excelled the ministry with WITS.
Part of this project was to have some of the local players, who we are discipling, as part of the visiting team as they were available. George, one of the FCAK players, joined this team for the whole tour.
The weekend of 13-15 June 2008 we had the privilege of 23 soccer players (4 ladies), coaches, and officials at the beautiful Roodevallei Country Lodge just outside Pretoria.
In the beginning of July, AIA SA hosted a men's team from the United States. The US team partnered with SA players to compete and tour throughout Johannesburg and Mozambique. The teams had an opportunity to minister to schools, orphanages, and other basketball teams.
This was a fantastic tour! Listed below are some reflections from the men on the tour:
How did God influence you or rock your world in a positive way on this tour?
Grace a word we often see in the scriptures meaning unmerited favour. This word had a new meaning for us as we experienced God’s favour in all areas of the 2008 mission. Repeatedly we stood in awe of the Lord as we experienced His blessings. The term ‘Wow’ would express it all, especially for those who have attended Plett Beach Mission before. Here are some difficulties and blessings.