February News from Dan Clarke

Week 1

All of the intern's arrived, there are 10 of us. 3 Brits, 1 Dutch, 1 Zambian, 4 South African's and 1 guy from Japan.
We went to a campsite called “Kimead” and would be based there for the majority of the AIS Training Course. (In the middle of no -where).
As none of us really knew each other before the course began, it all started with an “ice- breaker” / team building few days.
“Boot Camp” is what they called it.
It consisted of a lot of physical and mental tests, with very early morning fitness sessions which began on the blow of the dreaded whistle from Sergeant Heinrich, and also early spiritual sessions before breakfast. Boot Camp also had many other elements – trust games, and 5v5 team competitions. But none of this compared to what lay ahead.

The Wild Camp Night! Up till this point we had shared a dorm with 10 beds in. With warmth, a roof over our heads, solid walls to protect from the potential harsh conditions of the South African Weather.
But this was different. We walked about 3km on a nice sunny afternoon up into the hills to set up our tent to embark on hopefully a nice night below the stars, and so it began, we cooked a big stew, with everything we had brought up with us, meat, veggies, and potatoes. And after a long wait, we enjoyed the food and warm drinks. Around the fire we sat, singing worships songs, a just having a nice time, talking and having fun.
The time hits about 11, and the first few drops of rain fall. We decide to go into the tent and sleep. I got into my nice, warm sleeping bag. Within minutes the rain turned torrential and the unlucky ones who were slow got wet outside. The lightning lit up the whole lands, the thunder was deafening and the wind was destructive. So Leaving at least 10 cm depth puddles everywhere. We tried to sleep but when the water entered our sleeping bags and our whole bodies where soaked, we turn hysterical, and the singing began.
The only way to survive in our horrible condition was to all huddle together for warmth and sing. After nearly 5 hours of signing, we couldn't think of any songs that we hadn't already sung. Impossible to sleep, we decided we had enough, and when the rained lightened we would walk back to base camp in the pitch black. So away we went 3km back to the dorms to warmth and dry beds, leaving our rain beaten possessions behind. Eventually we arrived back, at about 5 in the morning. After only 2 hours sleep, the whistle blew, and another fitness session began. Needless to say, we weren’t in the mood. We had a day to recover, before our training started properly, with sessions on an “Intro to Sports Ministry”, “World View”, “Culture Difference” and so on.

Week 2
We left Kimead and went to stay at a place called “Newcastle” for a week, no not rainy, snowy, cold Newcastle from Northern England, but a town between Jo'berg and Durban. Here we did a coaching course, which taught us how to run life skills sessions that would link to football. On the Saturday and Sunday we ran outreaches in the town to practise what we had been taught. They went well, and despite the boiling sessions in a tin building, it was a good week.

Week 3 + 4
Back we went to Kimead and to the majority of our training. Luckily, this time instead of the dorm, we had 2 little house to live in, 4 in one house and 6 in the other house. It gave us a lot more freedom and our own rooms to sleep in. As well as a lounge to relax, in what rare free time we had. Luckily it had a TV and so I have been able to watch a few football games in the evenings.
The sessions that we studied were:
“Children's Ministry”, “Football Camps”, “Public Speaking”, “Leading People to Christ”, “Prison Ministry”, “Working with Churches”, “Youth Ministry”, “Drama”, “Mentoring and Discipleship”, “Spiritual Gifts and
We had another training outreach at our campsite, the Church I go to in Pretoria ran a weekend away for the Kid's Club to the campsite, and so for one afternoon, we ran a few football sessions and fun games, with them all and had a good time.

At the end of the course, we all went our separate ways, 2 guys went to Cape Town, 2 went to Durban, 2 went to Midrand, 1 to Soweto (Jo'berg) and 3 of us are at Pretoria. So it was pretty sad going to different parts of SA, after building such good relationships over the 4 weeks.

Week 5

Back to Pretoria, and to the last week of my training, TREC (Training, Resourcing and Equipping Coaches). A week of football coaching training, although I had been coaching for the last 4 months before Christmas, due to TREC's being cancelled due to lack of numbers, I have eventually completed TREC 1, after 4 days training, we all got assessed and I passed with Grade 1 (which is the highest mark) :). Although I have done coaching before, I feel it was still a good week, and I also learnt a lot of new training methods too. So it was a worthwhile week.

As for the Week 1- 4, it was very long and tiring, but good fun, and I learnt so much and it will hopefully equip me for the next 6 months and even the rest of me life.

But for now it is nice to be back to my home, and this morning was the first lie in for about 6 weeks, and I love my sleep!
Oh, and If you have been watching TV and have thought you might have seen me in a VISA advert, you are indeed correct in thinking so. Or if you haven’t check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8PUsX75OXg J.

Keep up with the prayers,
Dan

February Photos _word 97-2003

Dan Clarke in Visa World Cup Ad

Look out for Dan Clarke in the Visa South Africa World Cup Advert near the end!

Pictures from Dan Clarke in South Africa

Dan Clarke Dec and Jan Pics


Also visit www.ais-africa.co.za

Dan Clarke's Newsletter Dec & Jan

Dec and Jan Newsletter Dan Clarke

Dan Clarke Update

Hey all, this is my first months newsletter.


Since I last wrote my last newsletter after my first week, I have been extremely busy.
I have been continuing going to the prison at least once a week, something I still feel to be incredible. With some of the boy's faith inspiring me. Since I last wrote a couple of the lads have left the prison after being in there for about 6 years, and I hope to keep in contact with them now they are out.

I have also carried on helping out at the “We are Giants” football at a school, which is a Christian based coaching session. For a long weekend we travelled to Durban for a couple of events we were hosting. It was a long 8 hour journey in the minibus but on the day we arrived we as a team lead a “youth” event, which I lead some Icebreaker games for the introduction. The night went well and we developed a good relationship with the church there.

The next evening we hosted a TUG event ( The Ultimate Goal) telling the church about our aims in 2010, with the opportunity of more than 2 million fans coming over for the World Cup, with many big screen events combining football and Christianity.

On the Sunday, two of us from AIS who had stayed with two guys from a charity called “Lions Raw”, went with them to see a few of their projects, and helped coach in the Valley's near Durban, which is in complete contrast to the rich city. There we taught football to the kids, but also attended a church with all of them, in the language of Zulu, which I didn't really understand, but it was a good experience anyway.The next day we went to an orphanage and workshops for people in the Valley who don't have the opportunity to go elsewhere for education.

Since being out here I have joined a Youth Cell, that meets every Tuesday, with a load of guys from the Church here that I attend. As I mentioned in the last letter, we have hosted another “Freestyling” event. Football Freestyling is basically trying to do as many little skills and kick ups and tricks as possible, keeping the ball in the air. (for more info on this type football freestyling into youtube).


This is very popular over here and we have used this freestyling as a competition to bring the locals to get to know our charity and our message. We hosted these events in shopping malls, and hundreds of people attended and took part, even more watched. However the main reason for these events are to raise awareness of our biggest event of the year, in October our “Match For A Day” event, with endless possibilities. For more information on this event, visit www.justgiving.com/dan-clarke or www.justgiving.com/match-for-a-day or join the facebook group “match for a day”.

BBQ's are very popular out here (they call them Braai's) and last weekend I had 3 Braai's in 3 days, one at church, one for the youth and one at my host family's house. I won't complain though, :) I love my BBQ's.

This last week was very busy and full of work. Me and another intern who arrived this week (Jacob) did a lot of preparation for a tournament we hosted, the preparation was very long and sometimes tedius but necessary, and eventually all the work was finished just in time before the teams arrived. There were 10 teams who took part, 2 from Nigeria, 1 from Zambia, 1 from Durban, 1 from Port Elizabeth and 5 here in Pretoria. It was a 4 day tournament with 5 of the teams staying with us at a campsite. In the evenings we lead little services, with songs, sermons and testimony's, which was amazing seeing all the guys dancing and singing. For some it could be for the first time they were worshiping God, and I am pretty sure some gave their lives to Jesus this week.

The 4 day tournament was very tiring and some days were as long as 18 hours long, with all the setting up to do for each day, as well as packing away. So I woke up today after having nearly 13 hours sleep, which was very relaxing and so what is left of today I have off.
Please keep me in your prayers,
Dan

Dan Clarke Update

Hey all, just a first week update on how the gap year is going. Then I should be doing a regular newsletter at the end of every month.It was a long 11 hour flight over here, of which I hardly got any sleep so when I arrived and met the Ambassadors in Sport (AIS) people, I was extremely tired.I have got a really nice host family, the Botha's.

With two children slightly younger me. Called Daniel 17 and Gina 15. After a long sleep on the tuesday night I went to help do some coaching at a school, the group is called "We are the Giants!".On wednesday Mark one of the AIS staff let me drive his car from my house to the office which is about 10 km. It was a scary first experience, with a different (horrible) car in a busy (unfriendly driving) city. I also went to a cell group for the first time with "the botha's" at the pastors house.On thursday it was an early start as Will (AIS guy) and I went to Leuukop Prison to help coach at a "Hope Academy" that has been there since January.

I expected it to be really hard working with the guys in the Juvenile prison, who wouldn't want anything to know about God.I was wrong and before we played football, a pastor came and spoke, then we broke off into groups and talked about the sermon. The guys were soo keen on God and didn't seem in a rush to play football. One of the guys there even said in the future he might want to be a pastor. So it shocked me how much these academys in prison can help change the youth's who have pretty much nothing to have God and together as a team train a few times a week. The academys have a logo of "Football, Faith, Future" and as I saw it is extremely successful. As part of the football part, one of the coaches said I could take part in the fitness with the lads "to get to know them more". However the fitness was nothing that I had ever experienced before, with intense stamina and pace work in 30 degree + temperatures with a very high altitude nearly killed me.Most of the week was preparing for a Freestyling event we hosted on saturday. Encouraging all ages to take part. This was a success as loads entered and some got through to the final at Orlando Stadium.

More news on this will be on http://matchforadaysa.wordpress.com/ .The church i go to here is quite closely linked to ambassadors in sport so I know a few people who go there already. I hope that is enough, sorry if it is too much.Keep up with the prayers please.
Dan

Dan Clarke August Newsletter

Four days to go until I leave Bridlington to embark on my massive experience in South Africa. The VISA still hasn’t arrived, which is quite nerve racking, but hopefully it will arrive soon.
I don’t think I have ever been away from home for than 2 weeks at a time, and I have definitely not been away without people that I know. So for me leaving home for potentially 11 months, away from family and friends that have been with me for the last 18 years, will be a big shock.

Hopefully, I won’t get too homesick and that I will meet some amazing people that will make my time there a good one. My preparations have taken a large step today, as I had my hair cut to a relatively short length. This will hopefully make my time there a bit cooler, as a lot of hair was cut off.

Obviously there isn’t too much to say before I go. But with me being a guy, I still haven’t packed yet. But I’ve still got a few days to do this.

Thanks again for all your support.

Dan

News from Dan Clarke

Dear All,
As some of you may know I am planning a gap year starting in September 2009. I have been accepted by a Christian Organisation called “Ambassadors in Sport” to work as a volunteer in South Africa. Their ethos is ‘bringing hope through football’.

The Ambassadors in Sport Internship Mission statement aims ‘to develop each individual spiritually, whilst training, resourcing and equipping them in sports ministry through theoretical teaching and practical experience’.

As a keen sportsman I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to serve in a country where there is great need. Football will have a very high profile in South Africa in 2010 as it hosts the Football World Cup.

My role will include coaching football, setting up coaching programmes and tournaments. We will also work alongside the local churches presenting the gospel and raising awareness of AIDS and its prevention. I am booked to fly on Sunday 30th August.


I would be very grateful for your prayers to make it an amazing experience and also to keep me safe in a potentially dangerous country. If anyone would like to sponsor me financially, please contact me via reception 01262 404100

Also if anyone has any odd jobs they would like me to do, I would be willing to do these to help finance this gap year.

Thanks,
Dan.