Sports

Most people in America don't know about the sport of netball. I didn't either until my daughter, Zoe, started playing several years ago. Some people describe netball as "basketball without dribbling," which is close, but doesn't capture the actual differences and nuances of the game.

Wikipedia describes netball like this:

Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. The sport shares many similarities with basketball, having been derived from early versions of women's basketball. It developed as a distinct sport in the 1890s in England, from where it spread to other countries. Netball is popular in Commonwealth nations and is predominantly played by women.

Games are played on a rectangular court divided into thirds, with a raised goal at each short end. The object of the game is for teams to score points by passing a ball and shooting it into the opposing team's goal. Players are assigned "positions" that define their role within the team and restrict their movement on court. During general play, a player with the ball can take no more than one step before passing it, and cannot hold the ball for longer than three seconds. Goals can only be scored by the assigned shooting players.

Zoe's position is one of two shooting players on the team, and she had many games this season where she was the high scorer for her team. Although she has done quite well in netball here in South Africa, Zoe is looking forward to playing some typical American sports like basketball and soccer. Kyle is looking forward to playing football and baseball in place of rugby and cricket.

We look forward to this next season of life as we prepare to transition back to the States later this year. We hope that sports will play a significant role in helping our children to make new friends and enjoy life in America.

May Newsletter

I don't mind stealing bread
From the mouths of decadence
But I can't feed on the powerless
When my cup's already overfilled

“Hunger Strike” by Chris Cornell

For years, the words to this song have haunted me. Nearly 20 years of living overseas in Russia and South Africa has opened my eyes to those I call the powerless. Not that I wasn't surrounded by such people in America, I just didn't see them so clearly. This powerless-ness can come from a lack of opportunities or resources, but it also stems from a lack of love, respect and dignity. And, even more than a lack of money, a lack of these things can be a deep burden that eats at the spirit and diminishes hope.

Africa

Over the past 12 years I have been learning about the history of South Africa specifically, and Africa in general. The history of Africa is complex, bloody and, quite frankly, sad. The atrocities that this continent has endured are countless. Unfortunately, much of the pain has come at the hands of Westerners, even missionaries.

In his book, Eye of the Needle, South African author, Richard Turner, writes:

One specific characteristic of "white culture" is a major determinant in the conflict system: the drive to accumulate wealth and the drive to seek personal satisfaction in the consumption of material goods, rather than, and often at the expense of, relations with other people. While this continues to be a dominant cultural trait, the details of the conflict may change, but the essentials will not.

I don't want to oversimplify Africa's struggles and challenges by blaming everything on “white culture.” I do, however, as a white man, want to own up to a cultural trait that seems to pervade our society. A trait that lends itself to conflict, exaltation of self and holding others down.

dec·a·dence

1. unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.

2. moral degeneration or decay.

3. the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay.

Although I see decadence as being an ever-increasing trait of our culture, I would say that entitlement is the daily form most commonly lived out. And entitlement has even seeped deeply into the Church. Entitlement is sneaky and can slip into our lives almost unnoticed. It woos our heart to demand what we want because we feel like we deserve it.

Working with NieuCommunities for the past 10 years has helped me to look at my life and its effect on others, both locally and globally. One thing I have really appreciated about working with 20-somethings is that, although they struggle with entitlement, they are asking some tough questions:

• How does my lifestyle affect the lives of others either locally or in other parts of the world? For instance, do the products I buy come from a sweat shop or from child labor? How do I support free trade so that locals in poorer countries can make a fair wage?

• How can I bring the reality of God's kingdom in a tangible way to those who live around me? What does it mean to be the Good News?

• In what ways can I give to the powerless that shows respect for the person and helps to restore dignity to their life? Other than money, what do I have to give to those in need?

In our current global economy, such questions are necessary, even if they make us uncomfortable. Like no other time in history, our daily choices have a far-reaching effect on countless others. My hope is that the Church will choose to live counter-culturally. That we will choose to live in a way that brings good news to the afflicted, binds up the brokenhearted, proclaims liberty to captives and sets prisoners free.

With my cup overfilled,

Bryan