As friendship and trust grow

Do you see a unique mission opportunity for an elite sportsperson, but you aren’t sure if you have enough trust with the player to receive a ‘yes’?

A top player and his wife had moved to play in another country. Over a couple of years, we became warm friends. The friendship and trust grew, and on one trip, the couple asked me to stay as a guest in their home.

Whilst traveling together during the visit, he explained his plans for making television commercials. We spoke about the lack of players in his home country being involved in community needs. That led to him and his wife suggesting they would like to spend four vacation days in their home country in the following year serving the needs of youth, disabled children, and prisoners.

Later, when he made contact, I thought he was wanting to cancel the plan. No, they had decided they would like to extend their original 4 days to 6 days!

Several key business leaders agreed to arrange a tightly packed schedule serving various youth sports, prisoners, and children in hospitals with disabilities.

A former teammate was able to join him as they put on clinics and shared in many opportunities.

Scripture to ponder – Matthew 25:36

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Key Lesson: Normally, significant opportunities require meaningful trust between the sportsperson and the organizer. Relationships and trust should always be your priority.