I have always had a
deep passion for the sport of wrestling. As a teenager,
I was no good in basketball or baseball. When I went to
Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, I was the 130 pound
wrestler on a regular conference championship team. Even
though I have been a missionary for 34 years, I have
never lost my desire to still be involved in this
wonderful sport.
The idea of a wrestling
ministry was born a few years ago but the lack of a mat was
the serious problem. The team started out with two juniors
unassociated with our church; we were using a small area in
a local gym. With help from friends in the States, I was
able to purchase a mat, some shoes and other necessary
equipment. When I invited my church kids to participate, the
idea developed into a grand ministry. Now we have 15
wrestlers on my church team. I was able to find 15 wrestlers
at public schools. This sport is fairly new in our state. I
was elected the vice president of the state wrestling
federation. In December I organized our first state
tournament. We had two parts, the little guys (up to 110
lbs) and the big guys. My wrestlers took five state
titles. My little guys took first place and my big guys
took second place.
So, here I am at 62 years
old and finding myself a wrestling coach. I can only say
that it appears God parked his Eph. 3:20 truck at my house
again.
Gilson was attending a public night school when I talked to
them about our wrestling. He came as a wrestler and is now
training to also be a coach. He and Priscilla were both
saved recently. They will be married in our church in
March, 2007. This is the type of result we are working for
in our wrestling ministry.
