From Brent and Dina
The summer was extremely busy with seven weeks
of basketball camp in three states (Colorado, California and
Florida). There were close to 500 people that were part of
the basketball camps or saw a show. Many kids came to know
the Lord including a dozen during the last week of camp in
Lake Arrowhead, CA! Please pray for these new warriors in
the Kingdom!
September 4th is always a special day for me
because it is my birthday but for the past ten years it has
also been my wedding anniversary! That’s right, Dina and
I have been married for 10 years. My friends always wonder
why I am so lucky and I just tell them, "Even a blind squirrel
finds a nut once in a while!" A translation for those of you
not from the South, "Everyone gets lucky once in a while." I
know it is not luck, it is a blessing and she is the best birthday
gift I could ever receive. Dina is a wonderful wife and is
very supportive of HOH. I love her with all my heart and I
am glad we are together!
Proverbs 18:22 (NIV) says it all, "He who
finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the
LORD.
Dina has definitely been a blessing to Seth
and Jaden.
The Fuqua's Prayer Requests
- Financial support to grow b/c Dina is taking
off work until Fall/2004
- To book more events for the fall and winter
especially Upward Award Nights
- The Prison Team and its schedule
- Mission Trip to Italy
- Joan, a family friend that suffers from
cancer
- Arnold and Debbie Wadle
We are selling Entertainment books to raise
funds for HOH.
Kevin's Korner
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares
the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you plans to
give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Rachel and I have been so blessed during our
first three months of ministry. Jeremiah 29:11 has been on
our minds throughout each step of our transition and now service
to Hoops of Hope. Rachel and I rely on the fact that God has
a plan and is in total control no matter what the current situation
is. It is our encouragement for you to do the same.
During our first basketball camp I arrived
home and received a call that my Grandmother Boaz had a stroke.
At this time my parents and wife were out of town, so only
my Aunt Karla and I were available. I spent the rest of that
week in the Hospice at my Grandmothers side. While there, I
was upset because my father was not able to be there when he
wanted to be and because I was not able to serve the Lord by
ministering to the kids in our camp. God’s plan however, was
that I got to spend some unforgettable times with my grandmother
and in hindsight I really learned how to deal with a family
crisis. This episode was trying emotionally for all of us as
my grandmother lost her independence. She is an amazing example
as she has kept her spirits high through the transition to
an assisted living home.
The second camp came with another example of
God being in control of the plan for our lives. In our last
newsletter you may remember the special needs I listed such
as a computer and office equipment. Well, at the end of this
week of camp one of our volunteer coaches named Pat told us
that God had put something on his heart. Pat then brought us
a laptop computer from his car and donated it to us. Wow! Pat
was not even on our mailing list at the time yet God had a
plan to answer that prayer. Through another friend a great
computer desk was donated a few days later. Pat has continued
in his generosity to HOH by enabling us to modernize our office
and set up a network between our computers. This will enable
us to be even more effective in our communication of the Gospel.
Aside from working camps this summer I also
was able to take some classes toward getting my ministerial
license. Brent and I are going with the Evangelical Christian
Alliance who has long provided churches and parachurch organizations
with the service of ordination and licensing. The problem was
that I thought I would finish my courses and receive my license.
The ECA now requires face to face interviews before a committee.
Well, the only place for this to happen was at the national
conference in Indianapolis, IN. After doing everything to avoid
this trip and the cost, I realized that I must get the license
done now. So one week before the trip I began contacting people
I knew in the region. My brother Randy lives by Indy so he
was able to pass information about Hoops of Hope on
to several friends. To make a long story short I was blessed
with three meetings with churches that week. The results of
the trip were not only becoming Rev. Boaz, but also 2 of the
3 churches have signed on to do camps next summer. On top of
that, I was bumped from a flight and received a ticket voucher.
God’s plans far exceeded my limited view.
Yes, it is true God has a plan for our lives.
Rachel and I are so thankful that His plans are always better
and bigger than ours, which is why we know Hoops of Hope is
headed for ministry that we can’t even comprehend.
Boaz's Praises/Prayer Requests
- Rachel’s school year to go well.
- For my Grandmother Boaz and her health and
her spirits to be high.
- Praise the Lord for the awesome partners,
like you, who prepare the battlefield with your prayers.
- Continued financial need for monthly support
- For the Prison Team and Team Italy
Hoops of Hope Special Needs -
Donations of the following ...
- Portable PA System for prisons and mission
trips
- Photo printer
Prison Ministry and Team Italy
This fall the prison team has committed to
practicing and receiving spiritual training for the upcoming
season. This higher level of commitment is exciting for us
to see. These men truly are going to make a difference for
Christ!
Team Italy is being put together for a missions
trip March 20-27, 2004. Please pray for our discernment in
team selection. Also, pray for Tim Hall our missionary contact
in Italy as he is trying to set up games and ministry events
for us in advance.
Advisory Board
Hoops of Hope is putting together an Advisory
Board that will serve along side our Board of Directors. The
Advisory Board will be made up of men from many different walks
of life that have shown spiritual depth and have been successful
in their specific vocation. Pray for these men as they seek
to guide us to be all that God wants.
Proverbs 15: 22 (NIV) says "Plans fail for
lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
May the Lord Bless and keep you all!!!