Home
About Us
Meet the Team
At the Track
What's New
Calendar
Events
Sponsors
Gallery
Links
Contact
"Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us" - Hebrews 8:1 |
|
What's New ...?
OUTREACH 500 Update15th January 2008OVAL EXPRESS SERIES The Oval Express Series has come and gone for another year with the Formula 500's. As usual it was a busy and torrid time for all involved. This year however was a little different for me as I was not only a driver but I was also the Chaplain for the series. It is interesting to see how God works in things. Our initial ideas about the concept allowed the role to take three years to set in motion. Year one to get driver creditability. Year two to float the idea of the concept of a chaplain for the class. And year three to get the speedway people to accept the idea and the role. Not only was I way out with the three year plan but God had it all set up within the first eleven months. Late last year I was approached by the Series Coordinator to see if I was going to run in this very high profile series. To his credit the series has gone from strength to strength. After last year having an American come out and finally win the event it raised the profile of this race series to a new high in the U S of A. The result being that all in all there were five U S driver and one who could not make it in time. As for me I was only running the first three events in Victoria, and I told him this. His comment to me was that he wanted to have a series Chaplain this year. As I had said that I want to start this idea for the 500's, he thought I would like to do it. So as I said earlier, eleven months and the job is done. So I started the Series this season with a little trepidation and self pressure as to how and what would be required in this role. All I can say is that very few people had a problem with me as the Chaplain and in fact there being someone in that role. After starting the evenings off with a short prayer (time didn't allow it to happen on every night) and then both racing and following up on some events during the nights, it all went well. I must admit that as a driver it is easier to get beside various people as things happen. And of course happen they did. Some of the things that did occur throughout the events were ; First night.... They forgot the Chaplain idea altogether and were very upset about that. I assured them all was well and was there if needed. I prayed for the night anyway with my team. Second night.... Was called upon to open the meeting in prayer and to oversee two serious accidents which left both drivers in hospital over night. This involved me staying a few hours after the meeting at the hospital with family and crew. Both drivers were out by early the next morning praise God. Third night.... Again prayer was asked for at the start of the night. Was approached by the father of one of the young driver to have a talk with him as he had just been told of the death of his Grandmother. This was taken care of and the night continued. Fourth night.... Time restraints were put on the 500's and so I prayed for the night by myself. Was again approached by the same family and thanked for how it was handles the previous night. This was good feedback for me as I wasn't sure how and what I had said was received. Also kept quite busy as there were a few good rollovers within the group. Also I had the chance to follow them up over the next few days. Everyone still safe and well so far. Fifth night.... We were off to Sydney to Paramatta to the home of Speedway in Australia at the moment. As I was not driving I approached the Chaplain of the meeting up there and was accepted and treated like someone very special. At Paramatta they take the role and job of the Chaplain very seriously and as I was another person there they saw it as a bonus. I started the night with prayer for the 500 people and was kept very busy as there were a few more big crashes on the night. Again off to a hospital after the event but this time the driver had already been released and sent off. Sixth night.... The rain came in and the event was cancelled and put off till the next night. This put quite a bit of pressure on a lot of people as most had to start work the next day. Also being a Sunday there was little chance of getting a large crowd to support the event. However the people did com out and the night went on as usual. Again time didn't allow prayer at the opening of the night but I was kept very busy with both the 500 cars and the Sprintcar section. After a few more crashed and some follow up my role as chaplain was completed for the series. The drive home from Sydney gave me plenty of time to ponder things. Overall I would have to say that both myself and the Chaplain role were very well accepted by all and I feel that to those there, the concept of "A God presents" was not as big a threat or imposition as they may have thought. I give thanks to the Lord for not only allowing this to take place but for having the faith in myself to do the job. It is also very interesting to watch folk who have no faith still accept you for who and what you are. My feeling is that they only want real people around them when things gone wrong and I give thanks to God that he allowed me to do this task. I would ask you all to continue to pray for myself in this role and for the people that they may see something of Jesus in me and that it may give them something to think about. After all none of us are perfect and if God can love me then He can love all. God bless you and keep you. Sincerely, Kev.
|
|