YWAM Hockey

2012-01-18T22:15:00.000-08:00

We are really enjoying our time in Russia with our Hockey DTS team. Life is super busy here ... please check out YWAM Hockey on Facebook for brief updates and more photos.

2012-01-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

It's so good to hang out with Russian children - on and off the ice.

2011-12-25T18:42:00.000-08:00

We are currently in Russia with our Hockey DTS team. Please check out YWAM Hockey on Facebook for current updates and photos.

2011-12-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

The pyramid is up so it must be time to go. Today is our last day of class and we leave for Russia on Monday, December 5. We are ready! We are excited!

2011-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

We are excited! Our visas are here, our jerseys are here and we leave for Russia in one week!

2011-11-25T05:47:00.000-08:00

A Life Long Hockey Player

By Mikaela Meyerink

I still remember getting dressed to go on the ice for the first time. I was finally going to be a hockey player, little did I know I would fall in love with the game. Some people call it crazy, some people say it's just a game, but hockey has been my life. It has taught me so much more than just how to skate, shoot or to remember: always to take your skate guards off before stepping on the ice. Hockey has taught me how to be a team member both on and off the ice. Hockey has taught me to be confident in who I am and most of all to never give up. One of my favourite quotes, "shoot for the moon even if you miss you will land among the stars'' (Brian Litrell).

I played the majority of minor hockey with a co-ed association, Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey. I enjoyed playing with the boys because it always provided a challange, in which I could push myself. Although as the boys became men, I realized I was missing out on the whole team aspect of things. I struggled with relating to the guys which made it difficult to enjoy the game. For my second year Bantam I tried out for an all girls "AAA" rep team with the North Shore Female Avalanche.

I had the best season of my life. It was my first experience of truly being a part of the team, we went all the way to the B.C provincials, coming home with silver. I met some amazing friends in hockey but was still faced with, the love of my life, hockey, coming to an end.

In preparing for this, I'd begun planning life after high school. I came in contact with a missions based hockey organization, that does a three month training phase followed by a two month outreach phase in Russia where you play against men's teams and teach young kids the game.

I applied and was accepted. I came then to the realization that "if you shoot for the moon you will land among the stars". Even though hockey had not gone according to my plan for a scholarship, it had defined who I am. It is so much more than making that next team or getting that top shelf goal. Hockey is about life lessons.

I am heading to Russia to teach kids and give back to the game I view as a gift and a blessing to play. I am now playing with some of the most skilled players I have ever played with. I am on the most unified team I have ever played on. Our team lives in housing together, we train together, we go to class together and support each other always on and off the ice. In two weeks we will fly over to Russia and spread love through the game.

Photo: Mikaela at the rink after her Grade 12 graduation with tea mates Samantha Rogers (left) and Breana Keats (right)

Article as seen in BC Female Hockey News

2011-11-15T22:35:00.000-08:00

Russia in 3 weeks!

2011-10-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Deborah Francisco, who has served on our Hockey Summer of Service for the last 2 summers, works full-time for NHL.com in New York City as a writer.

The NHL.com asked her to do a series of stories on their Hockey Skills section, sponsored by Canadian Tire.

Her first story, along with a bunch of photos in the "photo gallery", in the series, titled,"Coaching's life-altering" was about her experience with YWAM Hockey Summer Camps and was put on the front page of their website!

Debs did a great job in writing the article, enjoy!

Here is the link to the story: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=597446

2011-10-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

HOCKEY DTS 2011 ...

is well underway. Check out YWAM Hockey on Facebook for more photos.

2011-09-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Summer hockey camps a success!

Hundreds of kids attended camps in Calgary, Grande Prairie, Prince George, Langley and Kelowna. The kids learned skating & hockey skills, had bundles of fun and heard about how God loves them and is relevant in their lives. The Hockey Summer of Service team (see picture) played a significant role in the lives of the kids at all of the camps. They served as counselors & assistant instructors. We had great feedback from campers & their parents about them. We are already planning next year's camps and the HSOS program. Camp registration will start early in the new year as will the application process for HSOS and our new Junior Counselor Program.

2011-07-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

Watching four-year-YWAM-Hockey-camp-veteran Cheyann Newman do power skating drills at the 6^thAnnual camp in Prince George last week reminded me of the very reason that I am using all of my vacation time from work to volunteer with YWAM this summer.

Cheyann takes on every single drill as if it’s the last time she will ever get to skate on ice.

She has a passion for the game that can’t be bottled, or even captured in a single blog entry. She grins from ear to ear as she pulls her skates on and laces them up, and her eyes literally light up as she tells me how hockey is her life. She has this quirky sense of style with a cool yet humble confidence to pull it off, she makes straight A’s in school, and she dreams of one day playing for Team Canada in the Olympics.

I had the privilege of coaching 14-year-old Cheyann last week, but to be honest, she touched my life and the image of her childlike grin illuminating her face as she sprinted across the ice will forever be burned into my memory.

This was my second summer helping with the day camp at Prince George. I met up with the HSOS team in Grande Prairie last week and joined them for the PR. George camp and I will be with them through the Kelowna camp.

My involvement with YWAM Hockey this summer really is something of a miracle. I participated in HSOS last summer and it was such a life changing event for me that I desperately wanted to come back again this summer, but I was only eligible for one week of vacation from work. But, I happen to work for the NHL, and when I asked my boss if I could take a leave of absence this summer to coach hockey, he thought it would be a great idea. So, after much prayer and much red tape crossing, I got the approval to come back this summer for four weeks. So here I am, two days into the Langley camp and already I have seen God working in the most amazing ways.

It seems like so many of the kids we are coaching desire to know God more deeply so we’re doing our best to point them in the right direction. Actually, this week is the highest attendance ever for the Langley camp with 58 kids, and the majority of those kids are first-time attendees.

As a monthly supporter of YWAM hockey, I just want to say that I am in the trenches with Glen and Lorrain and the HSOS staff for these four weeks, and I just love this ministry. Glen says it all the time to us, but it really is "all about the kids," and that’s what I have seen in these last two weeks. All of the coaches and counselors are pouring out their energy and love to show these kid’s what Christ is all about, and it’s so wonderful that we get to use the sport of hockey to connect with these kids. It’s so exciting to see these lives being changed. We really appreciate your prayers and as a shameless plug, I would like to close in saying that if you don’t already support this ministry, I urge you to consider supporting it because it is absolutely the best ministry I have ever been involved in.

-- Deborah ‘Debs’ Francisco -- 2010, 2011 HSOS participant.

2011-04-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

IF YOU PLAY HOCKEY, & ARE 18-25 YEARS OLD, CHECK THESE 2 PROGRAMS OUT @ www.ywamhockey.com

Hockey Summer of Service (HSOS) is for hockey players (guys & girls) aged 18-25. Nothing else you do this summer will build you as a leader like working, training and learning on the HSOS. Over 7 weeks, our HSOS team will serve as assistant coaches, counsellors and support staff at 5, week long, hockey camps.
Deadline for HSOS Application is May 31, 2011
3 SPACES LEFT, INCLUDING A GOALIE

YWAM Hockey DTS is for hockey players, age 18 - 25, who have good skating and hockey skills, have significant ice hockey experience, and an interest in bringing the Gospel into the hockey world. YWAM Hockey DTS has a 3 month lecture/training phase with a 8 - 10 week outreach in Russia and possibly East Asia.
Next Hockey DTS is Fall 2011 - Deadline for Hockey DTS Application is June 30, 2011
MINIMUM 4 SPACES LEFT, INCLUDING A GOALIE

www.ywamhockey.com

2011-03-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

2011-02-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

YWAM Hockey Camps
are for players, ages 8-15. Our week long residential or day camps offer quality instruction in power skating, hockey skills and goaltending. Our instructors and staff not only have knowledge and experience, they also share a common passion to see each camper grow and improve physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Locations: Prince George, Kelowna, Vancouver, Chemainus, Grande Prairie, Calgary, and Homer, Alaska.

Junior Counselor Program
is for hockey players (guys & girls) aged 16-18 who would like to serve at our Prince George, Kelowna, or Calgary day camps. NEW!

Hockey Summer of Service
is for hockey players (guys & girls) aged 18-25. Nothing else you do this summer will build you as a leader like working, training and learning on the HSOS. Over 7 weeks, our HSOS team will serve as assistant coaches, counselors and support staff at 5, week long, hockey camps.

YWAM Hockey DTS
is for hockey players, age 18 - 25, who have good skating and hockey skills, have significant ice hockey experience, and an interest in bringing the Gospel into the hockey world. YWAM Hockey DTS has a 3 month lecture/training phase with a 8 - 10 week outreach in Russia and possibly East Asia.
Next Hockey DTS is Fall 2011

2011-02-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

I JUST RETURNED FROM 15 DAYS OF HOCKEY CLINICS IN EAST ASIA
In city #1 I also had a chance to visit an orphanage, run by a sweet Korean lady, for physically & mentally disabled kids.
Here are some photos.

2011-01-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

Back from East Asia
Arrived in city #1 at midnight on Sunday, Jan. 9th and had our first on-ice training the next day. We did 5 straight days of on-ice training on the river where the kids and their coach used wooden pallets as their rink boards.

We then took the fast train to city #2 on Sat. morning Jan.15th and arrived just in time to get to the rink to lead a practice for Yinbin's team of about 30 kids. Spent the next 8 days doing clinics for Yinbin team of mostly boys and a few girls. I was particularily happy to run a clinic for the girls team, coached by Dang Hong (english name is Ruby). This team is a feeder for the womens National Team.

We finished off doing 2 on-ice sessions with another group of 60-70 kids of various ages and skill level WITHOUT A TRANSLATOR! This was a real challenge but we did it.

With each team, at the end of our hockey clinics we hosted a reception, where the kids, coaches and parents got to see some Don Cherry's Rock Em Sock Em, I then gave a talk on what it takes to improve their hockey skills, talked about their heart and how they are created in the image of their Creator.
Overall the receptions were well recieved.

Stay tuned...

2011-01-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

YWAM HOCKEY NEWS FLASH

Happy New Years! Hope you enjoyed your Christmas.

I (Glen) am going to East Asia this weekend, Jan. 9th until Jan. 27th to do hockey clinics for kids and teens.
It is an amazing opportunity to continue to work with the hockey teams who we have worked with in the past few years. I will work in two cities where we have been before at the invitation of three and possibly four teams.
For months before, Christmas, we had been praying about invitations to go to Russia and E. Asia, along with a few other opportunities, and just as I was thinking that I might be staying home this winter, God spoke to both Lorrain and me that E. Asia was where He wanted me. And not only that – but by Monday! According to our connection, the teams are excited about the hockey clinics and I am thrilled to go.

Two things:
1) Please pray for safety & strong connections.
2) Consider financially supporting this trip.
Including flights, accommodations, food and ministry expense I need to raise $2,800.

If you feel you would like to partner financially, please make your cheque out to YWAM and attach a separate note that it is for Glen & Lorrain Bueckert, and mail to:

Canada:
YWAM Project Funding
PO Box 57100, Vancouver BC V5K 1Z0

USA:
YWAM,
PO Box 3000, Garden Valley, TX 75771-3000

Thank you for your continued friendship and partnership in God’s Kingdom with us through YWAM Hockey.

God bless!
Glen & Lorrain Bueckert

2010-12-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

PROGRAMS FOR 2011

YWAM Hockey Camps
are for players, ages 8-15. Our week long residential or day camps offer quality instruction in power skating, hockey skills and goaltending. Our instructors and staff not only have knowledge and experience, they also share a common passion to see each camper grow and improve physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Locations: Prince George, Kelowna, Vancouver, Chemainus, Grande Prairie, Calgary, and Homer, Alaska.

Junior Counselor Program
is for hockey players (guys & girls) aged 16-18 who would like to serve at our Prince George, Kelowna, or Calgary day camps. NEW!

Hockey Summer of Service
is for hockey players (guys & girls) aged 18-25. Nothing else you do this summer will build you as a leader like working, training and learning on the HSOS. Over 7 weeks, our HSOS team will serve as assistant coaches, counselors and support staff at 5, week long, hockey camps.

YWAM Hockey DTS
is for hockey players, age 18 - 25, who have good skating and hockey skills, have significant ice hockey experience, and an interest in bringing the Gospel into the hockey world. YWAM Hockey DTS has a 3 month lecture/training phase with a 8 - 10 week outreach in Russia and possibly East Asia.
Next Hockey DTS is Fall 2011

2010-07-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

Prince George Day Camp

July 19-23

Below, Ancel's ball hockey team celebrates its victory in the ball hockey tournament. Brian and Kaitlyn's team was victorious in the older kid's ball hockey tournament.

The day camp at Prince George was a very different pace than the camp at PRBI, so the HSOS team had a lot to adjust to. They stayed at Cedars Christian school for the week (Thanks Cedars!). The team arrived at the rink around 7:30 every morning to greet the eager, energetic kids. The camp was split into two age groups that altered activities throughout the day from ice-time to dryland to ball hockey to chapel. The morning sessions were dedicated to power skating with Brian Toll. The afternoon ice-sessions were coached by Parish Child and focussed more on technical skills.

Both age groups had at least three goalies with a total of seven in the camp. Tal and Jim (a local teacher from Pr. George) headed up the goalie instruction for the week. The camp also had the help of locals Frank, also a teacher in Pr. George, and Sean, a recent high school graduate from the area. Uncle Bob, a good friend of YWAM Hockey, oversaw the chapel services for the week.

One highlight of the week was all of the staff ice-time. After the campers headed home the staff was able to hit the ice three times during the week.

2010-07-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

PRBI - Grande Prairie

July 11-16

The HSOS kicked off the summer with a week in Grande Prairie at the PRBI hockey camp.

The team took a two-day road trip from Vancouver with no air-conditioning in the van to get to the camp, it was sort of like a team building exercise. But they toughed it out, and no one complained about the lack of conditioned air. Instead, they used the time to get to know each other, and to sleep.

After arriving in Grande Prairie, the team eagerly prepared for the 19 campers to arrive. Campers signed-in on Sunday and everyone headed to the rink for the first ice-session of the week. Glen served as head-coach for the week, and Brian assisted. The 19 kids were split into two age groups, but they all shared one ice time.

One of the highlights at the PRBI camp was seeing how the kids all came together in one tight-knit community despite age differences. The campers ranged from an 8-year-old to a 16-year-old.

After the ice time on Sunday the campers all gathered for a campfire back at the PRBI campus, a tradition that continued each night of the camp. Dale shared his story with the campers that night, and they sang some awesome silly songs as well.

On Monday the campers started their first ball-hockey games, headed up by Finny. Again the teams were a complete mix of ages, but the kids loved it. The camp also featured a daily chapel time in the morning featuring YWAM's very own, Brian Peters, as the camp speaker.

After brunch and cleanup each day, the kids headed to the rink

for two on-ice sessions and dry-land. The campers returned back to PRBI for supper, and a wide-game followed by the campfire and a testimony by one of the leaders. Debs, Jeremy and Finny all shared their stories at the campfire during the week. On Thursday, the last day of camp, many of the campers also shared their own testimonies with their small-group.

All in all it was a week packed with new hockey skills for the kids (and Debs), lots of laughter,

and lasting friendships. The HSOS team left the camp feeling a bit sleep-deprived, yet totally refreshed by the relationships and memories they built with the kids. Brian did an amazing job speaking to the kids at chapel, and the kids all seemed to have a blast.

The daily bus ride to and from the rink was actually one of the highlights of the week for some of the campers.... especially the kids in the blue van. Click HERE to watch some interviews with those kids.

2010-07-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Meet the Team!

The 2010 HSOS team has descended on Canada from all across the world to work with the kids at our six hockey camps this summer. The team consists of nine members. Below is a little bio on each member, for your enjoyment:

Brett Barkman

Center, Shoots Right
6-foot-2, 165 pounds
Home Town: Arborg, Manitoba

Brett's career highlights include playing for his Midget B team but

the team lost in the final minute of the Provincial final. He also won a Midget A tournament in Altona.

Jeremy Doirn

Defense, Shoots Right
6-foot-3, 185 pounds
Hometown, Chamainus, B.C.

Jeremy was the captain of his high school team. He has played hockey since age six. His favorite NHL team is the Vancouver Cannucks and his favorite all-time player is Joe Sakic.

Kaitlyn Fehr

Left Wing, shoots Left
5-foot-5
Hometown, LaCreete, Alberta

Kaitlyn won Provincials with the Moosejaw Warriors in 2010. She was the MVP of a tournament in 2008, and was captain of her team that same season. Her favorite NHL team is the Chicago Blackhawks (but she promises she is not a bandwagon fan) and her favorite player is Sidney Crosby.

Chris "Finny" Finnson

Center, Shoots Right
6-foot-4, 207 pounds
Hometown, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Finny last played for the Barnaby Express. His Pee-Wee AAA team won the Provincial Championship. His future goal is to own a house and to be the oldest player ever drafted into the NHL, of course.

Debs Francisco

Defense, Shoots Right
5-foot-7
Hometown: Los Alamos, New Mexico

Debs' career highlights include hoisting the Stanley Cup as an intern with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. She played her first hockey game on Canadian ice this summer on SOS (and even scored a goal). She played two years with the Chelsea Piers Polar Bears in New York City.

Tal Klaudt

Goalie, GAA 2.31
5-foot-10, 155 pounds
Hometown, Calgary, Alberta

Tal's Pee Wee team won the city championships

and he he was the MVP of that team. He aspires to play Junior

A or backup for Marc-Andre Fleury in Pittsburgh. His

favorite NHL team is the Canadiens and he admires Carey Price.

Dale Lehmann

Forward, Shoots Left
5-foot-10, 155 pounds
Hometown, Morris, Manitoba

Dale played for the Zone four Championship team last year, He was the winner of the Rheal Berard Memorial Hart Award and he was captain of his Bantam hockey team. He is a die-hard Maple Leafs fan.

Brian Peters

Right Wing, shoots Right
5-foot-5, 155 pounds
Hometown, Petosky Michigan

Brian loves playing and coaching overseas and working with YWAM hockey. He hopes to return to Russia to coach hockey there. His favorite NHL team is the Detroit Red Wings.

Ancel Schwabe

Forward, Shoots Left
6-foot-2, 171 pounds
Hometown: Basel, Switzerland

Ancel's career highlights include winning the NHL's 2016 Hart Trophy for MVP. He most recently played with Wisle, a junior team in Switzerland. His favorite NHL team is the New Jersey Devils. One day he hopes to train seeing eye dogs.

2010-07-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

What's the HSOS team up to?

Teamwork

The HSOS team began their summer together with an exercise in getting to know and trust each other - they went to great heights to do this, on the high ropes course at TWU.

Who says hockey players don't hold hands?

In the photos:

Jeremy and Tal

Ancel and Debs

Brian and Dale

Brett and Kaitlyn

Jeremy and Debs - climbing and jumping

Finney

HSOS team

2010-07-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hockey Summer of Service

HSOS began today. Everyone is here and ready to go. We have an orientation day tomorrow and then it's off to our fist camp in Grande Prairie.

It looks like we have another excellent team - the most ever and the most camps ever. We are looking forward to an exciting summer.

2010-04-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

HOCKEY SUMMER OF SERVICE 2010

If you are a hockey player between the age of 17 & 25 (guys or girls) and want to be stretched and challenged while serving at our hockey camps?
Consider joining us for AIA/YWAM Hockey's 7 week Hockey Summer of Service (HSOS) starting July 7th.
Deadline for applications is May 31st.
Check it out at ywamhockey.com

2010-04-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures from our time in Vancouver during the Olympics. The Olympic cauldron is located at the waterfront. The other photo is Lorrain and Glen (in their red patriotic t-shirts with some random revellers) celebrating the Canadian hockey gold medal with 150,000 other people in downtown Vancouver shortly after Sidney Crosby's winning goal.

2010-03-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Kushva, Russia

It was minus 25-30 degrees and our team coached 2 kids teams and then played a full game against the local mens team (which we won) in front of about 1,000 fans standing around the outdoor rink on snow banks.
Here is a short video of the shootout at the end of the game. Even though we won the game in regulation time everyone enjoys a good shootout. The player shooting is our team captain, Brian Peters. After his shot you'll get an idea about the crowd and how cold it is.

2010-03-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Kushva, Russia: January 29th

2010-02-19T04:51:00.000-08:00

The team enjoying Korean BBQ.

2010-02-19T04:42:00.000-08:00

Brian got a "hat trick". There's only two photos but 3 "incidents" for Brian with the medical facilities in Finland, Russia and Asia.

Don't worry Momma P, he's okay.

2010-02-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

The team is now in East Asia.

2010-02-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

Vladivostok, Russia

It was cold!

2010-02-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

PERM, KUSHVA, NIZHNI TAGIL, EKATERINBURG,
FAR EAST OF RUSSIA...

It's been a while since my last blog. A combination of being on the move often and very limited access to internet, sorry. I am writing from the Russian Far East, we arrived 3 days ago after a 10 hour flight from Ekaterinburg (9,000 km). If we stayed with our original plan we would still be on the Trans-Siberian Express train with 2 more days to go. We have done some coaching and played a couple of very interesting games. During our 2nd coaching time we changed how we finish off the practice by now telling the kids who we are and a little about our faith and then talk about passions and lifestyle choices. Brian, who has been head coaching all of our practices did a great job with this.

COOL STORY:
When we coach and play in so many outdoor rinks, IN THE COLD, sometimes we wish that we could play in a nice indoor rink. At one of our receptions after playing another game in the freezing weather a young hockey player of about 21 who happened to play for us this night, waited to talk to me. He said to me," Why do you come and play with us in this outdoor rink when you could play in the big stadium?" Inside, my heart melted. Why? Because in Russian hockey the kids start at age 5-6 and if they show promise they get funnelled into the big program usually in the big stadium, they get all the icetime and coaching leaving all the rest of the kids as somewhat of a "hockey outcast" playing at the outdoor rinks. They have coaches but they do not have the opportunities like the big clubs. The young man who asked why we wanted to play with them was truly happy, surprised and blessed that we wanted to play with them.
In the Ural Mountain region it seems that we attract alot of attention the newspaper and TV reporters and cameras find us and ask us why are we here, so we are able to tell them who we are and why we are in their city.

PERM REGION:
We spent only 5 days in the Region. We visited an orphanage, a high school, a church, a housing complex for deaf adults, overnighted in Chernushka and of course did some coaching and played games. Glen stayed at the YWAM Perm base while Brian led most of the outreach here.

KUSHVA:
Our favourite location 2 years ago. Pastor Misha and his church hosted and blessed us very much and I think our team definitely encouraged Misha and his church. Alexei, my friend from 2 years ago is the head of all sports in Kushva but his real passion is hockey, had us coaching and playing during our 3 days here. The Russian Orthodox Church has some real influence in the region and Pastor Misha is still under the cloud that he was under 2 years ago, however there has been some cool stories coming out of this community.
We stayed in the coldest Sport Hotel ever and a few of us ended up getting colds.

NIZHNI TAGIL:
Forty minutes from Kushva is NT, a city of over 300,000. Sergei, a leader in a large local church was ready for us. Within a couple of hours of us arriving we were guests at a childrens sports awards with Glen as a guest speaker. The message was good lifestyle choices. Sergei had us busy for the 4 full days in his city: 3 games, many coaching times with kids, speaking in church service, guests on a Kids TV show that apparently was watched by over 400,000 people and a highlight for all of us was the last night in a large room at the rink we gave our personal stories and a message about healthy choices and faith with 80-100 kids/teens and adults.

EKATERINBURG:
Two hours south of NT is Ekat. a city of 2.5 M. Our first time here, but 2 years ago Glen met pastor Evgeny from the New Life church ( the largest in Ekat.). Evgeny plays hockey so he understands what we are doing but while setting up our time in his city he met many leaders in the hockey community for the 1st time so this was really good for him. How's this for a schedule; 6 games in 5 days at 6 different locations, coaching in 4 locations and a youth service where the team spent an hour answering questions from about 100 young people. Seems like passions and dreams were a theme and we believe many youth were impacted to pursue what God has put in their heart to do.
After every coaching time and game the team spent time with all of the participants, giving life changing messages of hope, handing out Bibles and literature supplied by New Life Church to every person.

Thank you for hanging in and reading this long blog.
In 2 days we'll be off to East Asia and Feb. 24th we'll fly back to Vancouver. This might be my last blog entry until after Feb. 24th.

Enjoying the journey!

2010-02-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

The team has not had much opportunity to update the blog - as they have been playing hockey, coaching hockey, and traveling to the next city ... They are currently near Vladivostok, Russia in the Far East and will be heading soon to East Asia. Other than a few bumps and bruises they are doing well. Glen says "they are an amazing team." Here's a few pictures ...

2010-01-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

2010-01-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

Trains, Buses, Metros & More Trains

Since starting our journey by flying into Helsinki we have spent hours riding on trains and buses to Arctic Finland and then over to Artic Russia, down thru St Petersberg and Moscow then East to Perm (where we are right now). Interspersed in the traveling are the massive Metros & carrying all of our hockey gear and luggage thru the Saint Petersberg and Moscow Metro where thousands of people travel daily, many staring. It has been quite a journey with many stories like when we got on the 3:30 am sleeper train in Kondopoga trying to quietly stuff all of our gear in nooks & crannies but managing to wake everyone up in the car. The passengers were gracious, not one complained...or when Brian, my assistant leader who is in charge of logistics, after arriving into Moscow by train after midnight took us thru the Metro looking for our hostel. He exited the Metro one station too soon so the gang hauled all of their hockey bags & luggage on the streets of Moscow probably a half a mile to the hostel.
I am truly proud of our team of 6. They have not complained once! They all agreed before the trip began that they pack & carry all of their own bags.
We had a 2 night stopover in Moscow before jumping on the 24 hour train ride to Perm.
Later I will do another entry about our hockey outreach in the Perm Region...

2010-01-16T07:13:00.000-08:00

SAINT PETERSBURG

Today we toured Saint Petersburg's major landmarks in a snow storm. It was still something to see, imagine what it would look like in the spring/summer.

My highlight was visiting the Winter Palalce where all the Russian Tsars and their families lived in the winter.

Tomorrow we leave for Moscow!

2010-01-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

After losing our 3rd and last game in Kondopoga we got on the 3:30 AM train to Saint Petersburg for 2 days of sightseeing and then 2 more days in Moscow before taking the 22 hour train to Perm.

Here are a few more photos...

2010-01-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here is an email from Glen today. I thought I would share it on the blog ...

There are almost no internet cafes in Kondopoga. I found 1 computer in a store way in the back row of the apartments.

Hockey has been amazing here for us. They have a beautiful rink that seats 3,000 but hardly any hockey. We coached their 5 to 11 year olds (40 of them) twice and played twice. Once against the over 35 and then their 15-17 year olds (it was their 1st game of the year).

Both games there were 500-600 people who payed 50 rubles each. We were up 6-1 on the over 35 then they tied it 6-6 then Brian scored with 8 seconds in the game. Last night we played the young guys and they scored on a penalty shot with 1 min let in the game to make it 4-3 and then an empty net goal. It was like they won the Stanley cup they were so happy. It was very cool to experience it. The crowd was going nuts in both games, even Russian flags waving. COOL!

Tonight we speak at a church (Andy will preach and Brian & Michael will give testimonies). Tomorrow night we'll play the young guys again and then our team takes the 3:30 am train to St Petes.

Our team is great, they are certainly wowed when we play. What is really cool is you see our Canadian grit. We have 10 skaters and Yasmine (who has played amazing and won the hearts of players and fans) and the Russian have 4 full lines.

Brenna is in Helsinki awaiting her Russian visa. She will hopefully join the team in St. Petersburg in a few days. Please pray for her: no visa problems and safe travels to St. Pete.

There may not be any more blog updates until the team gets to Perm and then we can expect some photos and more update.

Thanks for your prayers!

Lorrain

2010-01-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

FINLAND!

The Epic Outreach 2010 is under way. Our small team arrived in Helsinki in 3 parts; The Canada gang arrived at 5 p.m. on Jan. 5th, then Yasmine from Switzerland at 8 and then Brenna, a Canadian currently going to school in China, came today (Jan. 7th).

There are 7 of us in total, from left to right,

Michael, Mike, Yasmine, Rylan, Brian, Brenna & Glen.

While we are here in Finland, and the first few days in Russia, we have 3 guys from Mackenzie BC (Geoff, Andy & BJ) as part of our team. Geoff, used to live and run a YWAM base in Northern Norway has many contacts in Finland and is setting up this part of our outreach.

Our arrival in Finland was met by a cold snap.

After spending our first night in Helsinki we hopped on the train to YWAM base called Koivumaki in Siilinjarvi where we will be for 2 nights. We canceled our ice-time today because of the cold, the outdoor rink had no warm room.

Tomorrow we take the train north to Roveniemi (where Santa Claus resides) and will start coaching kids as soon as we arrive and 1 or 2 games are setup. The plan then is to crossover into Russia after that.

Looks like we'll have a terrific team.
Please keep us in your prayers.

Glen

2009-12-06T14:35:00.000-08:00

TSAY KEH & BLUEBERRY FIRST NATIONS

GLEN & BRIAN JOINED GEOFF CLARKE OF YWAM MACKENZIE BC LAST WEEK TO DO SOME HOCKEY CLINICS UP IN NORTHERN BC ABORIGINAL VILLAGES.

THE WEATHER WAS TOO WARM FOR OUTDOOR ICE IN TSAY KEH ( north of Mackenzie) SO WE PLAYED BALL HOCKEY FOR ALMOST 5 HOURS! THE NIGHT BEFORE WE HAD THE PRIVILEDGE TO DELIVER A BUNCH OF HOCKEY GEAR FOR THE KIDS. THEY HAVE AN OUTDOOR RINK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VILLAGE THAT THEY HAVEN'T USED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, THIS YEAR THERE IS A NEW TEACHER IN THE VILLAGE WHO HAS A HOCKEY BACKGROUND AND IS PUTTING IN THE ICE.

NEXT WE DROVE TO THE BLUEBERRY FIRST NATIONS (north of Ft. St. John) FOR A CLINIC. THEIR RINK WASN'T READY SO THEY RENTED INDOOR RINKS IN THE AREA WHERE WE DID 3 ICE SESSIONS AND HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK ABOUT GOD'S LOVE FOR THEM.

WE'LL SPEND THE NEXT MONTH RESTING AND PREPARING FOR THE EPIC HOCKEY OUTREACH 2010 TO FINLAND/RUSSIA & EAST ASIA. WE LEAVE JANUARY 4TH.

2009-09-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

NORTH TO ALASKA ...

YWAM Hockey is excited to head to Alaska again this fall to partner with YWAM Arctic Mercy in Homer, Alaska for their 2nd Annual Hockey Camp. Our team drives to Seattle today to fly up to Alaska. The camp begins Thursday, September 10th and runs for 4 days. The campers will have 2 ice times a day plus off ice activities. Brian, Glen, Michael and Chris are thrilled to participate in this year's camp, take in the beauty of the area and the amazing hospitality of YWAM Arctic Mercy. Have fun guys!

2009-09-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

EPIC HOCKEY OUTREACH 2010

FINLAND - RUSSIA - EAST ASIA

Play hockey against men's teams.

Teach hockey skills to young players.

Travel the famed Trans Siberia Railway to East Russia.

See some of the most amazing sites Russia and East Asia have to offer.

Experience God in ways you never would have imagined!

Who: Male players aged 18-30 with min Midget AA or Junior B experience.

When: New Years to mid February 2010.

Cost: Coming soon.

Contact: Glen at hockey@ywamhockey.com

2009-08-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

Summer hockey camps have been going even better than expected!

Camp #1 at PRBI in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Camp #2 in Prince George.

Camp #3 Greater Vancouver Hockey Camp in Langley which we partner with AIA.

All 3 camps were awesome, kids enjoyed on-ice sessions, dryland, ballhockey and other activities while experiencing the love of God thru the amazing staff at each camp, many lives have been touched.

We are now preparing for our Kelowna YWAM Hockey Camp which starts this Sunday. There are more campers registered than ever before.
Please pray!

2009-04-08T21:46:00.000-07:00

On The Road Again ....

Brian and Michael left McBride heading east on a promo trip through Alberta and Saskatchewan. They are visiting Churches and schools looking for young hockey playing men looking to combine their passion for hockey with their passion for Jesus and join us in the 5 month Hockey DTS. We are so thankful to all who are hosting them. We pray for safety in their travels and success in their mission.

2009-04-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

YWAM Hockey (Glen, Brian Peters, and Michael Fischer) were in northern BC, March 19-30th to do free hockey clinics - on the invitation of Minor Hockey Associations - in MacKenzie and McBride. We would normally charge at least enough to cover expenses, but really felt like this time it was to be a gift to their hockey communities - with no strings attached. We wanted to reflect God's unconditional love for people.

First stop was MacKenzie with a unique partnership; YWAM Hockey, MacKenzie MHA, and the District of MacKenzie who paid for the ice-time. MacKenzie minor hockey association has taken a hit to the number of kids playing hockey with many kids unable to play this past year due to family finances. About 65 kids took part in the 3 day clinic.

We then drove 400 km north along Williston Lake and visited 2 Sekani First Nations villages, encouraging hockey programs, sharing YWAM Hockey testimonies and playing indoor ball hockey.

On the weekend of March 27 - 29, we did a 3 day hockey clinic for about 25 kids in McBride.

We have been invited to return in September to do hockey clinics for MacKenzie and McBride Minor Hockey Associations, and another one for First Nations youth from surrounding villages of MacKenzie. We are already planning for the 2nd annual YWAM Homer, Alaska Camp in September plus the 5 month Hockey DTS slated to start Sept. 22 in Vancouver.

YWAM Hockey camps are coming together nicely. We are receiving registrations for the camps.

We will once again be partnering with Athletes in Action (AIA) for Hockey Summer of Service and are excited to have 8 already who have applied to the program. The participants, aged 18-25, will serve as counselors and assistant coaches at all 5 of the camps.

We are looking forward to an exciting summer and fall.

2009-03-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

We're back and ready to go again ...

We returned recently from an exciting trip to East Asia and Vladivostok in the Far East of Russia. Glen was a guest coach in 4 cities - in both indoor and outdoor rinks - with both children and men. It was a great experience. In Russia, we were able to make contacts with the Hockey Directors in 2 communities and hope to bring a DTS team back there in the winter of 2010.

Back in Canada, we have been invited to put on clinics in Northern BC - in MacKenzie March 20-22 and in McBride - March 27-29.

2008-12-27T07:53:00.000-08:00

2008-12-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

YWAM Hockey Year in Review 2008

2008-12-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

SUMMER HOCKEY CAMPS 2009

Here is the YWAM Hockey Camp lineup for summer 2009:

July 12-17 Grande Prairie, AB

July 19-24 Prince George, BC

July 26-31 Langley, BC

August 9-14 Kelowna, BC

August 16-21 Chemainus, BC

Program includes:

Biblical Values
Power Skating
Quality Instruction
Goaltenders Program
Dry-Land
Chapel

Our coaches & counsellors make the difference; they have a passion to see each camper grow grow personally, work hard, improve their skills and enjoy their hockey camp experience.

INTEGRITY - RESPECT - CHARACTER

Please check out our website at www.ywamhockey.com for more details.

2008-11-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

YWAM HOCKEY- Update
November, 2008

FIRST CAMP IN ALASKA!
After 2 years of talks - the camp took place in September ...
YWAM Hockey was pleased to partner
with YWAM Arctic Mercy for our first ever
camp in Alaska. Glen took a small team -
Brian, Mackenzie and our son Jesse - to the
the beautiful town of Homer, Alaska for the 4
day Mini-camp. What they lacked in hockey
knowledge and experience, the Homer team
made up for with enthusiasm and hard work
making it an excellent first camp in the
community, On the last day, 3 players from
the professional ECHL team in Anchorage, the
Alaska Aces, joined our team on the ice.
Overall, the hockey camp, with a focus on
Jesus, was very well received by campers and
their parents alike. Our boys were excited to
enjoy the “YWAM base cuisine” which
consisted of lots of elk and halibut. And were
treated to a 12 hour! fishing expedition We
are very excited to be invited back next year.

Even though we do not have a DTS
this fall ....
We are finding ourselves very busy finishing
up all the detail work of our summer camps and
preparing for near future outreach opportunities.
As we take the time to reflect on the summer,
we are still in awe at what God did in and thru
the 7 hockey camps YWAM Hockey took part in.
Now, Glen is taking care of business in the
admin dept.: finalizing - last summer’s camps
and planning -next summer’s camps, Hockey Summer
of Service program, and our winter/spring
promotional strategy. He is also sitting on the
2010 Olympic Sports Initiative Group Committee
- designing hockey outreach events as part of
More Than Gold.
Lorrain is also finishing up Hockey Camps
2008 projects. Additionally, she is volunteer
teaching English once a week to new Canadians
and taking a entry level Mandarin class. She took

a TESOL weekend seminar Oct 24 &
25 at Trinity Western and was a wee bit intimidated
at the prospect of returning to the classroom
after all these years. She LOVES her
involvement in her classes and looks forward to
perhaps some teaching English opportunities in
upcoming outreaches in Jan. An issue very
much on her heart is the Human Trafficking
atrocity that is taking place in the world today.
Her commitment to this is to pray and hopefully
help others become more aware. Perhaps
opportunities will arise to become more
involved. Please check out this website
www.thefreedomproject-ywam.com/

We are preparing for a hockey outreach in
Jan/Feb 09 in East Asia. There may be
possibility to visit 3 countries. We are praying for
God’s perfect timing and opportunity.
Our staff - Krista and Brian - are currently
working with YWAM Vancouver, staffing their
DTS. Other commitments this fall included a
YWAM Missions Conference - Oct 27-31st, in
Kelowna. We were asked to lead a workshop.
We visited family in Campbell River in early November,
where we did our YWAM Hockey
ministry update night on November 10th

at the Campbell River Baptist Church.

Thank you for your continued interest and
support in our ministry and in our lives. We pray
God will richly bless you as you continue to seek
Him and invest in His kingdom. May He reveal
Himself to you in a fresh way this week!

With love,
Glen and Lorrain
YWAM Hockey
Passion for Jesus ... Passion for Hockey

GLEN & LORRAIN
2425 Pandora St.
Vancouver, BC V5K 1V5
778-228-1283
hockey@ywamhockey.com

http://www.ywamhockey.com/

All financial gifts are tax receiptable.

YWAM Project Funding
PO Box 57100,
2480 E. Hastings St.
Vancouver BC V5K 5G6

Please Join Us in Prayer:
• Hunger for God and His word in our lives.
• Wisdom as we plan for East Asia outreach - clearly hear where we are to go, open doors,
God’s presence to go with us and cheap air fare!
• Future Hockey camps, DTS, Olympic outreach planning and more staff
• New prayer and financial partners for YWAM Hockey ministry

2008-08-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

YWAM Hockey DTS 2008 Slide Show

2008-07-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

We are so excited about our Hockey Summer of Service (SOS) team. What an amazing group of players have come together - giving up their summer - to serve in our camps and impacting lives for eternity.

2008-07-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

We had a great time with over 50 campers in Pr. George last week. They worked hard and were a fun group. We have an excellent team of local volunteers in Pr. George. Thanks so much guys!

2008-07-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hockey Camp at PRBI

We are having a great time here in Grande Prairie and Sexsmith, Alberta. We have 32 kids in the camp and excellent group of counselor/coaches. Peace River Bible Institute is actually located in Sexsmith and we drive in each day to the Coca Cola Centre in Grande Prairie. This is the first stop for our Hockey Summer of Service team. It's been a great camp so far. We're having lots of fun.

2008-07-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

We are so thankful for this amazing gift.

On Thursday, July 3rd we picked up our new van. - a 2004 Chevy Express. We, here at YWAM Hockey, had been praying for a van for 2 years. And it arrived - just in time for our Summer Camps Roadtrip!
We are so excited to have it to travel to our summer camps around BC and into Alberta. What an encouragement! Watch for updates from our Hockey Summer of Service - coming soon.

2008-07-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Busy Summer Ahead!

Today summer hockey camps season starts with the gathering of the Hockey Summer Of Service (HSOS) team. This team consists of 8 young men (6) and women (2) aged 19-24. They have volunteered to serve at 5 of the 6 week-long hockey camps that we're are involved in this summer. HSOS is a partnership of YWAM Hockey and AIA Hockey.

Here are the dates and locations of the camps:
July 13-18th Peace River Bible Institute in Grande Prairie, Alberta
July 20-25th Prince George, B.C.
July 27- Aug.1st Langley, B.C. (YWAM Hockey/ AIA)
August 10-15th Kelowna, B.C.
August 17-22 Chemainus, B.C. (team) (AIA)
August 17-22 Winkler, Manitoba (Glen)

Please keep us in your prayers, Thanks.

Glen & Lorrain

2008-06-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

We have been praying for our dear friend Jan Kascak who was hit by a van, while riding his bike May 6th. Jan's recovery has been amazing. We are praying for a full recovery. Here is his story ...

My testimony of when God touched me!

May 6th, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. in the morning I was riding my mountain bike on Lakeshore drive when I was hit by an uncontrolled vehicle. I was taken by ambulance to Penticton General Hospital. Due to the severity of my injuries, and the possibility of severe brain and/or spinal injury, I was induced into a coma. A chest tube was put through my right side in order to support and hopefully re-inflate a collapsed lung. Other injuries included 9 broken ribs on the right side, a broken tibia and fibula on my right leg, a broken jaw, and many other broken bones throughout my face. I was transferred to the ICU unit at the Kelowna Hospital.
My wife, Kim, my mother, Anna, and my daughters, Ashley and Amanda, along with Amanda’s fiancé, Neil, (who both flew from Fort McMurray that day, Tuesday) were the first of many to support me at my bedside. A great deal of strength was also drawn from my sister’s Maria and Eva, brother’s Mike and Peter, his wife, Vicky, as well as our long time friends Randy and Deb as I remained in a coma state.
An extensive operation took place on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. and lasted five hours until 2:00 a.m. in the morning. The smallest of these procedures, a tracheotomy (neck tube), was done in order to allow me to breathe because my mouth would be wired shut. The doctor’s inserted a rod from my lower knee to ankle through my right fibula. Screws and plates were used to put my jaw in place and throughout the rest of my face along the top of my eye socket, below my eye socket and on both sides of my nose, adding up to twelve plates in all.
On Friday night, May 9th, around 11:00 p.m. I awoke from my coma. Kim and Ashley were holding my hand. As I attempted to open my eyes in desperation, I began to cry. Kim and Ashley started crying with me. I was unable to move my arms because my arms were tied down, my eyes were swollen shut, and my body was very weak; I did not stay awake long and soon fell back to sleep. Later Ashley confided in me that this was the most difficult moment in her life.
Around 12:00 a.m. a nurse came to attend to me; I felt irritation inside my mouth between my tongue and teeth that were wired shut. Nurses tried to dislodge the irritation, but could not because my mouth was wired shut. I also experienced difficulties in my trachea because I was coughing mucus up from my lungs. I fell back asleep and awoke about 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning completely disorientated. I did not know where I was, my heart started to pound. My hands were tied down by my side and a light was above me shining in my through the small crease my swollen face would allow. I reached with my left hand and was able to touch the feeding tube that was inserted in my nose. I had not even the slightest idea as to why there was a tube there, confused I pulled on the feed tube and it hurt so I stopped. For the first time in five days I was conscious, but felt an indescribable feeling of fear.
Even though I could hear vehicle’s driving by, people talking and felt a cool breeze over me, I desperately tried to grasp what was happening as I gathered my thoughts and I started to cry. It was that moment I had thought my soul had left my body and I was awaiting my fate with God. To say I was scared is an understatement!
I had to get a hold of myself and started to pray to God. I told God I put my Faith and Trust in Him and His will be done. I asked God to give me a sign where I was going.
In a moment calm came upon me, and I believe the Lord had put his hand on me. The Nurse came over and began to tell me it was only 4:30 a.m. and Kim would be here about 7:00 a.m. I began to pray to God and thank him for saving my life. I prayed to God, I cried to Him and He put a smile on my face. I knew then that Jesus Christ the Son of God had performed a miracle and was healing me.
My loved ones were at my bedside to wake me up that Saturday morning. No one could see it but I had a smile on my face. My hands reached out to grab Kim’s hands and her love poured into my heart. Amanda and Ashley grabbed my hands and I could see tears coming out of my daughter’s eyes. Everyday I could hear family and loving friends crying over me and they always told me how much they loved me. I knew that already, but what a wonderful feeling when so much love is given to you.
My sister Maria is a devote disciple of Jesus Christ, and when she had came to visit that first day in the Kelowna General she whispered to my wife to not fear, that I will be okay because she had seen Angles in my room all around me. My thoughts came back to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Son of God and I thanked Him for giving me back to my loved ones. I have not stopped praying to God! I always set aside each and every morning at 5:30 a.m. to pray and devote my time to the Lord for about forty five minutes, sometimes longer as my prayer list keeps growing.
God loves me and He loves you, trust in him, have faith in him, give God full control and He will not disappoint you. Pray to Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive your sins and they will be forgiven. Give yourself freely to Jesus Christ and pronounce that He is your Savior and through Jesus you will be with the Father our Lord God in heaven.

God Bless you all
Thank you for your Prayers
For God has Bless me

Jan Kascak
Aka Kazzy

2008-04-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

Women's IIHF Worlds Championship

Glen and Lorrain are in Harbin China this week taking in the Women's hockey championship. It has been so exciting. We got to cheer on Team Canada to a 4-2 win over Finland yesterday. We also saw Sweden beat Russia and Japan pulled off a win over China. It has been excellent hockey.
Today we get to see Canada play the USA. We are so excited to be able to go cheer on our girls with the handful of other Canadians here.
Go Canada Go!

2008-03-31T15:40:00.001-07:00

This week at YWAM Hockey ...

Glen and Lorrain are preparing for a scouting trip out East.

Krista and Mackenzie are back to work following some time off after Hockey DTS. They will be blitzing the Lower Mainland with brochures and posters for our AIA/YWAM Hockey camp in Langley.

Here is a listing for our camps for this summer.

Peace River Bible Institute Hockey Camp - Grande Prairie, AB
YWAM Hockey Camp - Pr. George, BC
AIA/YWAM Hockey Camp - Langley, BC
YWAM Hockey Camp - Kelowna, BC
AIA Vancouver Island Camp - Chemainus, BC
Winkler Bible Camp - Winkler, Manitoba

We are excited about camp registrations already for these camps. For dates and more information click on the following link -
ywam hockey camps

2008-03-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

YWAM hockey team
by Matthew Marshall

Matthew Marshall would like to thank Jesus to the Nations for their generous financial support of his YWAM (Youth with a Mission) hockey mission trip.
Matt first picked up a YWAM Hockey brochure at the Halifax J2N conference in 2005. The dream was born and in September 2007 Matt headed to Vancouver, B.C. as the goaltender for the YWAM hockey team. Over the next three months Matt attended YWAM’s Discipleship Training School with the rest of the team and students from all over the world. In late December the hockey team headed off to Russia to begin two months of outreach there. Besides hockey camps for kids, they visited orphanages, schools, universities and churches, thus fulfilling their vision of seeing hockey coaches and players come alive for Christ and bringing God’s transforming power to rinks around the world.
Thanks again, J2N.

The above article is from the Jesus to the Nations 2008 Website. Jesus to the Nations is Atlantic Canada's Mission Conference

2008-03-13T07:49:00.001-07:00

So Where Do We Go From Here?

Here we are for our wind-up dinner with our great Russian friends in Zakamsk. One more opportunity to enjoy Momma Luba's amazing cooking and hospitality. Our hats go off to our American boys, Wesley and Brian, for putting up with being called "Canadians" for 2 months.

We wrapped up our debrief last week and finished off DTS with a wonderful graduation dinner and very difficult "see you later's". You see, we don't actually say "goodbye" in YWAM because in all likelihood we will be seeing each other again somewhere down the road ... sometimes sooner ... sometimes later ...
We are so very thankful to have been given the privledge of working with this DTS team - both staff and students. Forever these young lives have made an imprint on our hearts. We love you guys! And remember ... "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart .... "

2008-03-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

Looks like it's time to go home

Things won't be quite the same around YWAM Perm now that the "hockey boys and girl" have gone home. We were thrilled not to pay any of the infamous "airport tax" at the Perm airport as we left. We had a long but good flight.
What an amazing team this was. Such good sports. So willing to share their lives. We are so proud of them all. They didn't "leave anything on the table".

2008-03-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Youth Prison Visit

Our last outing as a team was very special - we were invited to a youth prison about 1 hour out of Perm. Our team played hockey with some of the boys on their outdoor ice and then we had opportunity to share in a meeting setting. These boys range in age from 13 to 18 and can be in the facility for up to 10 years. What we saw was a group of very young guys who had made some poor decisions in their lives which ultimately cost them their freedom. Over 200 of them listened intently as our host Igor, who had spent 21 years in the Russian prison system, gave them a message from the "lifers" in the men's prison to change their ways while they still could. Wesley, Alex, and Glen also had opportunity to speak into their lives and offer them hope. The boys responded eagerly. It was a very powerful meeting.

2008-02-19T01:04:00.000-08:00

Old Coach Vladimir

We were so excited to see our friend Coach Vladimir again in Kungur. We met "old coach" on our very first scouting visit to Kungur back in 2005. Vladmir has been coaching in the city since the Soviet days, in fact for over 40 years, and had coached most of the players we played in our games at one time or another. On our last visit, he was coaching a team that loved hockey but could not afford gear. Out of his meager pension, Coach had purchased skates, gloves and sticks for his boys - talk about dedication! He is now retired after having both eye surgery and heart surgery this year. But he still loves the game and braved the cold weather to come out and watch our games 2 nights in a row. Spending time with Vladamir and getting to introduce him to our team made our trip to Kungur complete.

2008-02-15T20:28:00.000-08:00

A little Tour in Kungur

Hello everyone, it's Matt again, filling you in on the events of our week.

This week's outreach was in the town of Kungur. It is an old town south of Perm, which is famous for it's ice caves in the winter

The team was promptly introduced to a pleasant surprise, beds! We stayed in a hotel in the middle of the town, and the whole team was very glad to be sleeping in beds, and not on the floor.

We also didn't have as many practices to run this week as well. We ran two practices all week. I personally was lost and clueless for both practices, because there were no goalies to coach. But from what I saw, the team did very well and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Although we had few practices, they were compensated for by the amount of games. Four of the five days in Kungur ended with a game. Every night was a little bit different. One night, we were mixed in with the team who we just practiced with, another, we were playing against a talented men's team from the area. The team looked in excellent form from my perspective, and I feel that the team thoroughly enjoyed the challenges our opponents presented.

There were also quite a few school visits this week, and like the week before, one meeting ended in a basketball match. Although they were shy, the students appreciated being able to practice their English and enjoyed our visits.

For the whole team, the week was a very enjoyable one. We got to make new friends (like 'the cookie lady') and we also were able to see an old friend (coach Vladimir from two years ago). We will be enjoying a weekend of rest now, and we will stay in the Perm base for the remainder of our stay here.

So from myself and on behalf of the rest of the team, 'Бока' until next time.

2008-02-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

Outdoor football match with School #6 in Chernushka.

2008-02-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

Ch-Ch-Chernushka!

Hello fellow internet users, YWAM Hockey's resident goalkeeper Matt will be providing you with a fun-filled, action-packed summary of our week in Chernushka, Russia.

The team spent most of it's time in one of three places...

1) The church. This is where we spent most of our down time, and where the majority of the
team slept at night. Krista however stayed in a flat with Inga, the host extraordinaire.

2) The rink. Here, we spent our time either running practices with the local team (who are currently without a coach), or we were playing games against teams from Chernushka and the surrounding area. One interesting thing about this rink is the dressing rooms are ex-bomb shelters. So if any kind of air attack ever occurred in Chernushka, the rink would be the place to be.

3) The host's house. Two words can sufficiantly describe our time at Andrei's house: 'Yum yum'. Andrei and Galia (a cook of legendary proportions) were incredible hosts, opening up their house and serving our team day after day. Not only did they provide us with great meals (and introducing us to 'shashlick'), but they also allowed the team to use their banya, which after a long and tiring day, is pure bliss.

YWAM hockey also ventured into some new territory in Chernushka, visiting some local schools this week. We visited the 'Chernushka Gymnasium', and a cadet school as well.

We got invited to play some basketball and soccer with the students at the Gymnasium. What we didn't know is we were playing organized games against the school's respective teams, with crowds of students watching. I can distinctly remember walking into the school, looking to my right and seeing a poster on the bulletin board saying something about 'Canada vs. Russia'. It was just then that I knew those games would be something special.

So that is how our week went. We are taking a few days to rest at the base in Perm, and then we will be off to Kungur on Monday.

2008-02-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

2008-02-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Hello to everyone back home, this is Brian. I've been asked to say a few words about our most recent excursion. This past week we had the opportunity to a large town called Salikamsk. It's about a four hour drive north of Perm. Throughout the week we ran multiple practices a day and spoke in several different schools. At night we were split up and stayed with different people throughout the community. Alex, Dare, Matt, and myself stayed with a young couple named Andre and Dasha. They were the highlight of my week. Both were so kind and hospitable to us. They drove us around, took us to the pool, cooked for us (even at 11:30 at night), and made us feel at home. I think that everyone enjoyed their time in Salikamsk and look is looking forward to moving on to our next destination, Chernuska and then Kungur. Thank you everyone for your prayers. I love you ma!

2008-02-02T03:53:00.001-08:00

We had a great 5 days in Solikamsk. The weather was awesome - not too cold - and we were in the indoor rink. We were welcomed into the homes of families from the community which was really cool. It was so nice to be welcomed back into the rink by the coaches and sports authority, into the schools and college again, and also Pastor Pasha's church. The time flew by as our day started at 7:45 with the van pick up and usually ended around 9 or 10 at night.

2008-02-02T03:46:00.001-08:00

English Class
It was fun visiting English classes this week. We were invited to 4 schools and a college to simply talk with the students giving them practice with native English speakers. We were impressed with how well they could communicate with us. It seems that mostly lovely young ladies are interested in learning English in this community which was no hardship for our guys :)
Matthew and Dare are missing from this picture as they were speaking at another school at the same time.

2008-02-02T03:41:00.000-08:00

Krista and Lara
Krista was pretty excited to find another female player here in Solikamsk. Young 12 year old Lara was a treat to coach ... always working hard ... big smile on her face ... gritty ... just like our Krista. Coach Glen was very impressed.

2008-02-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

Coaching in Solikamsk
Our team had a great time running practices for the young players. Coach Sergei kept us very busy with numerous teams from age 5 - 12. We considered it a great privilege that the coaches turned their teams over to us for 2 - 4 practices a day for our 4 days at the rink. Our team did a great job.

2008-01-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

We've really enjoyed a few days off here in Perm and are heading back out this morning to Solikamsk.
Our time in Kushva and Nizhney Tagill was amazing. It was cool to come into the communities for the first time and make friends so quickly. We were blown away by the hospitality in both communities and got to try some new foods - which was a stretch for some of our taste buds. We played 7 games in 9 days while we were away and our record was 5-2. One of our games was especially "feisty" which was a character builder for our team. It was pretty cool to be able to share our lives with the players after that game. We were thrilled to be invited for lunch with the Mayor of Kushva and her assistants. We were also invited to 2 schools. The team felt like "rock stars" in both communities as they were flocked for photos and autographs. We stayed in a "sport hotel" in Kushva and the boys slept on the floor of the church in Nizhney Tagill. It has been so cool how we have been so warmly received by the coaches in both communities - our team has spent many hours running practices at both locations.
We were able to take in a hockey Russian Super League game this time as a team and a few of the guys went back again last night to watch again. We have our ballet tickets in hand for Feb 17th and are really looking forward that as well - I think the guys are too :)
We are very proud of our team - the guys have been really embracing our time here so far and Mack and Krista have been doing an excellent job as well.

So off we go again ...

Enjoying the journey,
Team Russia

2008-01-24T00:58:00.000-08:00

Game in Nizhney Tagill

2008-01-24T00:54:00.001-08:00

Game in Nizhney Tagill

2008-01-24T00:41:00.000-08:00

2008-01-24T00:30:00.000-08:00

Post game in Kushva

2008-01-24T00:26:00.001-08:00

10 and 11 year old boys from Kushva

2008-01-24T00:17:00.000-08:00

Leading practice

2008-01-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

Leading practice in Kushva

2008-01-23T23:24:00.001-08:00

Kushva City

2008-01-23T23:20:00.000-08:00

Bantam age players from Kushva

2008-01-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

Coach Glen and Coach Alexei in Kushva

2008-01-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

A Few Days Off

Our game in Zakamsk against the men went really well - we won this one - yeah! The teams were freezing though and we thought, it's pretty crazy to be playing hockey in this weather.
We have enjoyed our few days off in Perm. Some of us ventured downtown to check out the malls and the ice sculptures. It was chilly but fun. A few of us have suffered a 24 hour bug of some sort but everyone is now on the mend which is good timing as we leave tonight and tomorrow for Nizhney Tagill and Cushva. Some of us will ride on the train tonight and some of us will ride in the YWAM van with the equipment. Please pray for a safe and good journey. It will be our first time in the new locations and we are excited to see what all we will do.
Thank you so much for your prayers.

Enjoying the journey,

Team Russia

2008-01-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

Hello from Zakamsk
We are having a good time in Zakamsk this week. Our team is doing a great job of interacting with the local young people both at the rink and in the evening meetings. Brian was even trying his hand at breakdancing last night with some of the local guys. :)Almost everyone has had a chance to share a testimony or will before we leave here.
We have a game! Tonight! We are pretty excited. The men's team has agreed to play us in the outdoor rink. It will be chilly. Today I think it is -20 C. We also have a practise in the indoor rink on Friday which we hope to invite the men to join.
Everyone is doing well. We are so proud of our team.
Thank you for your prayers.

Enjoying the journey,

Team Russia

2008-01-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

This week we are in Zakamsk, we arrived on Sat and are here until Jan. 11th. Our team has been busy making relationships on the ice and at School #63 and have been involved in 3 services. Its not looking like we will get a chance to play hockey games here in Zakamsk which is disappointing to us but we are coming alongside a new 2 month old church plant. The plan is to go on the outdoor ice in the afternoons and play shinny, meet new young people and invite them out to a meeting in the evening.
Please pray for the above and also for favor in the hockey community, so that we will be able to play against mens teams and continue to work with kids teams, and for open doors in the schools & colleges for our future locations.

Enjoying the journey!

Team Russia

2008-01-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

Krista's bag took a taxi to the base this morning - 45 minutes before we are scheduled to leave for Zakamsk. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for your prayers!

The next leg of our adventure is in Zakamsk about an hour or so out of Perm. Our schedule looks jammed packed. Sometimes we are at 3 different venues in one day. On Sunday we are involved in 2 different Churches - maybe preaching - maybe testimonies - and a school. Please pray for strength for our team and a readiness to speak at a moments notice. It will be exciting and a lot of fun.

Again, thank you for your prayers!

Excited about the possibilites,

Team Russia

2008-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

A Day in the Life …

Today we got to go for our first skate at an outdoor rink. A pick up game of shinny quickly got underway and our team had fun playing with some new Russian friends. It was also a new experience to be the zambonie. It’s not too cold out yet but rumored to get colder soon. Tomorrow we are off to Zakamsk and looking forward to what awaits us there.

Krista’s bag is at the Perm airport – now we just have to retrieve it.

Thanks for your prayers.

Enjoying the Adventure,

Team Russia

2008-01-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles ….

We had a great train ride to Perm from Russia – we left yesterday afternoon and arrived this afternoon. We rode 3^rd class – which is platz meaning they are open compartments. It was such a great experience because our group was all spread out through out the car, giving us all a chance to meet lots of new people and get to really work on our Russian. Good thing for the Russian Phrase Book. It was lots of fun. It was nice to have our hosts at the train station ready to pick us up and help us carry our huge amount of luggage to our transport vehicles. We are here – ready to go. We will try to keep up the blog as best we can but our internet will be a little more sparse now that we are “on the road”.

Apparently Krista’s bag was located by Luftsthansa and they will fly it here to Perm. Hopefully we can get it tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers!

Enjoying the journey.

Team Russia

2008-01-01T09:17:00.001-08:00

Happy New Years!

We spent most of the day today at the Red Square again - checking out the Kremlin.
We are all VERY tired but it's been a good couple of days.
Krista's bag has still not shown up. Please pray that it will arrive here tomorrow before we need to leave. We REALLY need it to come before we leave.
Thanks for your prayers.
Bless you!
Team Russia

2007-12-31T21:52:00.001-08:00

Are We There Yet?

YES! We arrived in Moscow after a very long day. We had a an uneventful entry except one very bad thing ... Krista's hockey bag did not make it. It hasn't arrived yet but we are praying it will be here TODAY.
We made our way to the Red Square and saw the New Year in with thousands of Russians and visitors and an amazing fireworks display.
We are tired but good. Please pray for Krista's bag to come really soon.
With love,
Team Russia

2007-12-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

And we're off ...
Today we are on route to Moscow. It's been a good trip so far. We are at the Toronto airport waiting to board our next plane to Munich. We love our track suits, but they are a little hot but we think they will be great for Russia where it will likely be really chilly. Tonight or actually Dec 31 at 4:pm we arrive in Moscow, where we will have 2 days before we board our train to Perm.

2007-12-22T20:31:00.001-08:00

Jack O'Halloran and Matthew Marshall.

2007-12-22T19:01:00.001-08:00

Christmas came early this week for Matthew Marshall. Imagine Matt's surprise when Goalie Coach, Jack O'Halloran, entered the dressing room bearing amazing gifts ... a pair of custom made, Bauer Supreme, goalie pads (the same model Nikolai Khabibulin wears) and some Bauer Vapour xxx goalie pants. Jack, goalie coach, mentor and owner of Head2Head Goaltending, noticed Matt's needs for some new pads when he came out to work with him early in the DTS. He was able to make Matt's dream of new pads a reality this week. Thanks Jack - what an incredible gift. Check out Jack's programs at www.head2headgoaltending.com.

2007-12-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

YWAM Hockey DTS

Only 3 more weeks and we will be traveling to Russia for our 2 month outreach. Our Hockey DTS students and staff have been working really hard, preparing to go. In Russia, we will play games against local men's teams, coach kids, and speak to young people in High Schools and Universities. We also hope to have the opportunity to work in community centres, and orphanages. We are really excited about our team.

Wesley Kinney

Travis Wagner

Matthew Marshall

Mackenzie Collier

Krista Prins

Dare Mably

Chad Ritsema

Brian Peters

Alex Slemp

2007-11-06T22:22:00.001-08:00

Bend those knees!

2007-11-06T22:10:00.001-08:00

Bend those knees!

2007-11-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

And Remember ... Bend Those Knees!

2007-11-06T21:42:00.001-08:00

Toes on the Line: Pre-Novice (ages 5 and 6)