Land Diving

The village we hope to befriend is called the Bunlap Tribe on Pentecost Island. They actually invented "Bungee Jumping" many years ago. They call it Naghol, or land diving. This event will happen during the time we will be there in May. We are hoping that we can see the land diving performed and possibly use it as a way to interact with the people. There are many different reasons why this annual ritual is performed. From what we understand, the Bunlaps believe that if this activity is done correctly then it will ensure them a good harvest of the Yam crop (type of root). They believe strongly in the spirit world and never want to upset the spirits who have the ability to negatively affect their crops. I am very excited about the opportunity to see this event and hope it will provide us with an opportunity connect with these people at a deeper level. I would also like to ask that you pray against the powers of the spirits in this area. Pray that we are covered with God's power and authority through his Son Jesus. Pray that we are discerning in knowing how to go about interacting with the Bunlap people. Pray for open doors. Thanks.

Disclaimer: I am not planning on participating in the actual "land diving' in case you were wondering. I am deathly afraid of heights.

Giving you "the biz"...

Many of you are probably wondering "who" the crazy guy is that I am going with to Vanuatu.  His name is Caleb Bislow and he is an itinerant speaker for Kingdom Building Ministries.  He has a heart for the "unreached" people that have not heard the Gospel.  I met Caleb about 3 years ago through my youth pastor, Derry Prenkert.  Caleb and I hit it off instantly as our passions collided.  From that point on I knew that Caleb and I would venture on an overseas mission trip sometime in the future.  Caleb developed a strong burden for the Vanuatu people several years ago.  He has kept his eye on this specific people group (Bunlap Tribe) on Pentecost ever since.

Caleb asked me to venture with him to Vanuatu a little over a year ago.  I have spent a great deal of time praying and seeking guidance in making this decision for the past 12 months.  I even wrote a semester long research paper on the Bunlap Tribe of Pentecost Island.  I have developed a strong burden to share with these people the hope in Jesus that I have.

This trip is very unique.  It is much different than any trip I have ever been on.  While my previous trips have been scheduled out in detail, this trip will not.  This is what Caleb calls a "scouting trip."  We have no agenda except to learn and love.  We want to learn as much as we can about the culture, people, history, rituals, etc. while loving the people in the process.  Caleb plans to come back sometime in the next year to take the next steps.  If there is one specific thing that can be prayed for at this time it is that the Holy Spirit would lead us in every decision and action we take on this trip.  We plan to spend a lot of time listening to what God wants us to do.  

I am very excited about venturing with Caleb, Mike Phipps (good friend and future cousin-in-law), and Brandon (whom I have not yet met).  I plan to post more and more as the trip gets closer.  

(The picture above includes Caleb holding his son Trace with his wife Jess Bislow.)

23 days and counting...

I will leaving for the country of Vanuatu in only 23 days to minister to the people there.  I am planning on posting several more entries in these next 23 days to help keep those interested informed on what is going on.  I want to thank those who have supported me financially and prayerfully thus far.  It has not been unnoticed, but greatly appreciated.  I couldn't be doing this without your help.  Please pray that God will continue to work out the financial side of things, but more importantly that He will continue increasing my burden and compassion for the people that we will be living with.  I pray that I, as well as my team members, will be completely Holy Spirit lead and obedient to the calling He has placed on our hearts.  As I am nervous for all the "unknown" we will be encountering, I am extremely excited to "love the least of these" as God calls us to!

Senior Speech "Firsts" and "Lasts"

I spent some time talking about all the things that we had done as a team this year for the first time.  I then followed all the "Firsts" with all the things I will never be able to do again.  All good things need to come to an end sometime. Note: Some of these statements are inside jokes that you will most likely not think are funny).

As I spent time reflecting back on this season I realized how This year was filled with many firsts for our group:

First time we started 17-0.

**First time we beat IWU on their home court (This war wrongly stated).

First time we beat Taylor on their home court.

First time we tied for the regular season conference championship after beating the team we tied with 3 times.

First time we ever made it to the Final 4 in Branson.

First time we got to see Coach Lightfoot get inducted into the Hall of Fame…because that was the first time he was inducted. J

First time we got to be part of 600 career wins with a Coach.

First time we got to play in front of a crowd like we did when we played Grace in Wiekamp.

First time we got to play with a Player of the Year.

First time we won 33 games in a season.

 

Each of those “Firsts” is accompanied by many lasts for me as a player.  Here are just a few of the many lasts for me:

Last time I will ever play in front of the Wiekamp Wackos.

Last time I will ever hear “Lantz for 3.”

Last time I will ever get to guard Kyle Benge or Anthony Murrell.

Last time I will ever dive on the floor for anything that actually means something.  (I’ve pretty much decided I’m not diving on the floor in any church leagues.)

Last time I will ever play a complete game with a concussion. 

            (It still ticks me off that the guy I was guarding had like 35 points on me.)

Last time I will ever get to laugh hysterically at all the different characters we have on this team.

Last time I will ever get to sleep with Tyler on our road trips.

Last time I will ever get to shut down Derek and Tony in practice.

Last time I will ever have Will around to lift me up so I can dunk it.

Last time I will ever get to sit in the ice bath with Mark.

Last time I will have THE fast break handicap, Wes Laidig, throwing rockets at my head from less than five feet away.

Last time I will ever get to play for a legendary coach that can’t dress himself.

            (Kind of glad I don’t have to see Coach in Daisy Dukes again!)

Last time I will ever play for a coach who is afraid to play me in one-on-one again.

Last time I will ever play for a coach that gets his words mixed up.

            “What is easy?!?!”

            Said something to Will, “Square, score, and attack.”

Last time I will ever be part of a “Band of Brothers” where people care about others more than themselves.

Senior Speech "Thanks"

For those of you who missed the Bethel basketball banquet and wanted to hear my senior speech, I am going to be posting bits and pieces of it on this sight over the next couple weeks.  I would post the entire speech but it was too big.  I am posting my notes so obviously it will not be exactly the same speech as I tend to "add-lib" throughout most of it.  This is for you KK, wish you could have been there!

I normally don’t prepare any thing for speeches like this, but I didn’t want to forget anything so I put some stuff together.  I don’t know if I’m going to read this stuff or just paraphrase, but I’m not here to give some fantastic speech but to just get my feelings across.  I hope I am organized enough to do that.  But before I say anything else I would like to say thanks to a few people.  There have been so many times throughout the season where I have really wanted to say thanks to people.  I thought about writing tons of thank you notes (that is something my mom would try to do), but I realized I just didn’t have the time for it.  Just saying thank you doesn’t do justice for the appreciation I feel.  However, this is the best place for me to begin showing my appreciation.  

Special Thanks:

Parents on the team – We have the best parents of any team I have ever played on!  I’ve never been part of a team where the parents treat each player as their own.  I really feel like I could call you all family. 

Gingerichs – I want to single you guys out because you guys have been awesome.  It’s easy to be supportive and encouraging when your son is playing, but you guys exemplify the ultimate supporters.  You came to nearly every game (including Florida and Branson) and cheered without bitterness as your son Robbie didn’t see much time.  You are the kind of supporters I want to be towards my kids someday.  (Because if my kids get their athleticism from me they will be riding pine and I will need to be able to cheer with my son on the bench.  I pray that they get it from Ali.) 

Linda Man – Thanks for putting up with me.  We have spent a lot of time together the past few months.    Thanks for inventing a tape job for my foot that worked.  Thanks for serving all of us so much.  Sorry I got a concussion and I didn’t tell you, but I really don’t remember that.  I may have to fake some injuries to come see you again. 

Brent and Brenda Vanderswag – Thanks for all your support.  Not only did you come to so many games, but you also brought a gift for me as well.  You guys made up for me not having a sponsor the last couple of years. 

 My Parents –

We all know that basketball brings about many ups and downs… valleys and mountains… and thinking clear back to highschool and throughout college, I don’t think I could have gotten through them without my family.

Mom- Thanks for being my prayer warrior.  Thanks for always being there to cheer me on and always there to give me a hug afterwards, no matter how I played.  Thanks for taking so many pictures over the years that will allow me keep these memories even more fresh in my mind.

Dad- I couldn’t have made a better decision to be at a place with you for four years.  These last four years will always be so special to me because of you.  All the rebounding, pre-game frappuccinos, notes of encouragement, and solid support over the years has meant the world to me.   The thing that makes you so special is that you played with me and you prayed with me.  Most kids have a dad that will play with them and rebound for them and watch games with them.  But, not many guys have a dad who will pray with them.  I will never forget all the times you have prayed for me in your office.  You have taught me a lot through these years of playing basketball… more than you will probably ever know.  I can’t wait for the many more memories we create together.I can only hope and pray that I will be able to sacrificially love my kids the way my parents have loved me.  Thanks for everything.

I guess after hearing that you could call me a momma’s boy or a daddy’s boy.  To be honest, I really don’t care.  They are two of my best friends and I would never be able to thank them enough.

Grandparents – I can’t believe all the 2 hour drives you have made from Wabash to come see me play.  Thanks for being there for so many basketball games.  Grandpa, thanks for taking all the stats over the years even though you missed half the game because you were writing so much stuff down.  It doesn’t help that we play so fast either.  Grandma, thanks for yelling for me and at the refs.  I can always hear your voice in the stands.  You guys are sweet!  I always enjoy being with you guys!Then, you got my other grandparents who fly home from FL just to see me play.  That's an expensive ticket for a Bethel game.  I will never forget my grandpa's "coaching tips" over the years.  Neither will I forget always seeing Grandma Shirley's face in the crowd.  Thanks for taking so much interest in me.

Ali – You have been such a strong support over the past 2 years of basketball.  For never playing basketball, it amazes me to see how you understand the emotions of basketball.  Thanks for being so patient with me when I basketball seemed to take up so much of my time and energy.  I was a little nervous to ask you to marry me during the season because of what others might think, but it became obvious to me that I had to do it when I realized how much more important you were to me than the game of basketball.  I was definitely not going to let that hold me back.  Now, we can start talking about wedding stuff.  Thanks for understanding when I asked you to marry me and then said that we couldn’t talk about anything until after the season though.

Wow, now all the sappy stuff is done.