I was the guest of a player in a Hong Kong exhibition January 3rd, that I first met as a 15 year old junior. She went on to become the number two junior singles player and now has made the transition to the women's pro tour. The family,originally from eastern Europe, and I have known each other for sometime. I was able to spend time with four players that I know that day.
Flying out on Friday with a tour around Perth, Australia the next day, including the complex where the Hopman Cup tennis tournament had just finished (I am scouting for future trips). A really lovely city and most agreeable to my own personality, laid back. Sunday and Monday meetings with Pastor Margaret Court (read her testimony), her husband Barry and the staff of the church Victory Life Centre, that Margaret and Barry started. Four services are conducted weekly. with attendance at around 2000. The membership is very active in community outreach including a food bank that distributes 5 tons of food weekly to those in need and in addition addiction and family counseling and a Bible training school that is accredited by the Australian government. Margaret's father in law had his funeral January 4th in Perth and as a former Premier of the State, he had a National funeral. It was an interesting time to arrive and hear Barry speak on Sunday of his Father and Margaret speak on the Sir Charles Court's deep spiritual life. It is great for me to see what God can do in and through a player.
A short flight of about 5 hours over to Sydney on Tuesday. I am staying with a youth Pastor of the Anglican church and his family. Players are very supportive with access to the tournament. More than 20 players have emailed me since I left Hong Kong a few days ago in response to me sending them a personal message the week before. I will go on site from 8am to late evening for the next two days (I am scouting it out for future trips and visiting players) before I head off to the next stop on the tour, Melbourne. More later...
PS: you might want to check out the other web blog "The Daily Verse" and read my newest posting "The Vice of Gambling"
Pastor Bob, Wow, sounds like a great trip so far! I am off to New Zealand on Friday (Christchurch), will be there one week, then to Queensland for a week and finally to Sydney for a week, returning to Maui on Feb 4th. If you have any church recommendations in any of these three cities, please let me know. Much aloha and God Bless, Beth Arnoult-Ritthaler 