Basketball Ministry

I have started to play basketball with some new guys at night instead of in the morning, as I have been. These men range from 18 to 65 years old. It's quite funny playing basketball here in China.

As you may know, about 87% of the men in China smoke. So last night, during the game, I was waiting for my turn to play and someone yelled out, "Ricka!" (Chinese people love to add "a" to the end of words.) I looked over to see who called me and he was offering me a smoke. I said "no thanks" and  then I looked down the bench. Nine out of the ten guys were smoking while they were waiting to get in the game.

I have no idea how they run around after smoking, but they do. The guy in the grey shirt (in the picture) is about as tall as I am (6'2) and the guy with the goggles is about four inches taller and wider then me. During the game, I ran into him and it felt like I hit a wall.

So, for everyone out there that think Chinese people are short, that is not true.

I play each week waiting for the opportunity to share the good news about Jesus with them. One of the men from this basketball team has invited me out to dinner, so we'll see how that goes. Please be lifting me up - I really need God's wisdom as it is a sensitive subject to talk about, and especially hard as a few of these men are PSB (police).

~Rick