Train at Tennis Ministry International Base (TTMI)
Visiting Teams
Dear (Team leader’s name):
We are excited to know you are praying about assembling a team to join us for the Train at Tennis Ministry International Base program. We are uplifting you in prayer as you begin to handle all the details that this project entails.
The purpose of this letter is to give you some information that you should know as you recruit and prepare people for the TTMI program. We hope these facts will be useful to you as you communicate with your team. Please make copies of these sheets and send them to each participant. Also, please complete the enclosed “Team Leader” questions and mail (or email) them back to. It is important that we have this information as soon as possible to help us prepare for your group’s time in France. Even if you do not have firm commitments from everyone who is considering the TTMI program, please send us their data so we can better pray for them during their decision-making process.
In addition, please send the $100 USD team application fee (no need for individual applications to be completed), which will help to cover administration costs. Checks should be made out to “”, using the following address:
Tennis Ministry International
Uptown Plaza
Flat F, 19th Floor, Block 5
Tai Po, NT
Hong Kong
Thanks again for helping to organize your team and if there is anything
we at can do to help you, please let us know!
In Him,
Train at Tennis Ministry International Base Information
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” (Isaiah 61:1- NIV).
Ministry
The main emphasis of the Train at Tennis Ministry International Base (TTMI) program is to fulfill Jesus’ mandate to go and make disciples. We focus on providing high-quality tennis training, but it is important to keep in mind that athletic programs and skills are just tools to use in fulfilling God's call. We are excited that you and your team are getting ready for a summer of coaching and playing tennis. We hope that everyone will be equally prepared for leading small group discussions and sharing testimonies. It would also be great if you (as individuals or as a team) have other ways of sharing the Good News; such as through drama, music, juggling or any other talent God puts on your heart to use.
It is also important to remember that some of your ministry might not be directly related to sports or to organized times of sharing. One-on-one times with students may be developed through other activities, ranging from offering tutorial help in English to just "hanging out" at McDonald’s. Traveling around France will place you in contact with people who need to hear the gospel with less than 1% who go to church. Prepare your team to look beyond the sports activities and be ready to share in a variety of situations.
Finally, we always try to run clinics and camps in partnership with Christians from local churches, youth groups and/or schools. We don't expect to just put on a program; we want to encourage the church to be involved and learn how sports can be incorporated into their evangelism and discipleship programs. With this in mind, part of your ministry may simply be to work for and bless these local Christians. Remember that they will stay in France to continue follow-up after your TTMI program has ended.
During TTMI, we also focus on Christ-centered relationships among the staff. We will have regularly scheduled times for worship, prayer, sharing and fellowship to build unity and to encourage the disciple-like mentality of preferring one's neighbor over oneself. We also expect you to set aside time daily to read Scripture and pray on your own. In the midst of the busy ministry schedule it is easy to neglect your relationship with the Lord. The ministry you are doing in Hong Kong is important, but it is also essential for you to develop a closer walk with the Lord during your time here.
Housing
Depending on the number of Training at Tennis Ministry International Base (TTMI) participants and your budget you would stay at a lower priced hotel to expensive hotel . You will arrange your own accommodations directly with the camp or hotel that you chose. This is entirely dependent upon your needs, budgets and desires. You will be responsible for making your own housing arrangements and will need to contact them directly.
We recommend the following:
Links coming soon!
Once you arrange and confirm your housing
let us know. Make sure that your housing cover your entire length
of stay.
Finances
Since you will be handling your team’s finances for the TTMI program, the exact amounts you budget for different categories are, of course, up to you. However, based upon prior experience, we recommend the following guidelines (in US dollars):
Here's an estimate of per person expenses
while in Sri Lanka (quotes in US dollars):
food- $15/day
local transportation- $15/week
housing- $12/night up to $60 a night (dependent
upon how many come with you and your choice of rooms, bunks, ect.)
laundry per load- $2.80 wash & $3.90 dryer
(clotheslines are available as a cheap alternative to using the dryer)
airport bus- $8 total for arrival and departure
airport departure tax- $8 (This might be included
in the price of your ticket. Please contact your travel agent to
confirm this information.)
spending money- whatever you choose to bring
for sightseeing, souvenirs, etc.
While your activities in SL will not require large amounts of money, it is important that you are not held back from ministry opportunities because of lack of finances. In order to facilitate relationship building, we schedule training times so that afterwards we can go out and share meals.
It is important to think through the issue of finances before you arrive in Sri Lanka. Please keep this in mind as you raise your support and set up your budget (see enclosed sheet on “Raising Financial Support”).
Preparation- Through Prayer
With everything involved in organizing your time here and outreach, it is easy to get bogged down in details! However, we want to encourage you to keep prayer a priority, specifically in the following areas:
pray for Sri Lanka and the TTMI program, especially:
the youth you will be working with (that God
will prepare their hearts for the gospel, etc.)
SL Christians and the SL Church (esp. for
boldness and unity)
preparations for the TTMI program (esp. arrangements
for the tennis clinics and camps and projects with local churches &
schools)
unity and wisdom for the staff as we
arrange the TTMI
Pray for others - like you!- who will be joining the TTMI program, especially for their preparations, and for unity among all the staff members once we meet in SL;
before leaving your home country, please plan specific times for you to meet and pray with those who will support you during your time in SL (i.e. family, friends, church, etc.). The purpose is to build strong relationships with people who will remember you in prayer, which will in turn directly affect the impact of your time here.
Practical Information
A Glimpse of Sri Lanka:
Area: 66,000 sq km
Population: 19 million
Religion: 69% Buddhist, 15% Hindu, 8% Muslim,
8% Christian
Language: Sinhalese, Tamil, English
Check out: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/
for more Sri Lanka information
Clothing
The winter months in Sri Lanka are usually very pleasant with occasional rain. (about 28C, 84F ), so bring lightweight, quick-drying clothing (cotton is good), but NOT skimpy. Traditionally, Sri Lankans are generally quite conservative and very modest. For girls, if you bring tank tops, please make sure they have small arm holes and wide straps. A sport warmup is essential for possible cooler evenings. All items such as these you can also purchase in Sri Lanka. On some days you will probably want to change more than once, so make sure to bring plenty of t-shirts, socks, etc. In addition to your sports shoes (Note: courts are outdoors and red clay), bring another pair of very comfortable shoes for walking (we do LOTS of walking here!) and a pair of thongs or similar item to wear when using the community showers. We would encourage you to also bring a few "nicer" clothes for church and other public appearances.
Miscellaneous
TEAM GIFTS: You will have many opportunities to visit, churches and other clubs. When you are a guest, the Sri Lankans host will offer your team hospitality and your team will need to give something in return. As a team, you will need to bring some small presents, perhaps five to ten. An excellent idea would be for you to take a group picture and get many copies made. You can sign your names on the back of the photos and give them to the person or organization. You could even buy some frames to put the pictures in. If you have any other ideas for team gifts, let us know.
Having said all the above: remember to travel lightly - - you do not need as much as you think!
Letters From Home!
Please have family and friends write to you
at the following address:
There are internet cafes close to the area where you are staying that you can use to check your email.
In case of emergency ONLY, your family can
contact your place of stay directly.
Email:
Phone:
See You Soon!!
RAISING FINANCIAL SUPPORT
One area that people find difficult to approach is raising the financial support needed for missions. Below are some suggestions that you might find helpful.
GOD IS OUR PROVIDER: (Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:8, Matthew 7:8) We must remember that God is committed to and responsible for supplying our needs. He loves us and desires to give us good things. As we are obedient to His leading, we must trust Him to make the way for us. It is easy for us to look to others instead of God, putting pressures on those who are not responsible. We must keep in mind that God is our provider and we need to trust Him to take care of us in unexpected ways.
DEFINE YOUR MINISTRY: (Hebrews 2:2) Before you can effectively share with others, you must know what God is calling you to do. Pray over and define the vision and direction for your ministry, the circumstances that have led up to your call to do sports ministry, and how you feel this program will affect what you hope to do short and long term. It will also be helpful for you to understand the vision of our ministry and why God is calling you to be a part of As you become aware of what God has called you to do, there will be a confidence and excitement in what you share. People want to support those who will be fruitful and make a difference.
THE VISION GOD HAS GIVEN ? THE VISION GOD HAS GIVEN TENNIS MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL? The ministry of is based upon the premise that tennis can be used as a powerful tool for bridge social, cultural and communication barriers between people, resulting in opportunities for friendship, evangelism and discipleship. We are committed to use tennis as a platform from which the people around the world can hear the Gospel message; train and mobilize others in using tennis as a ministry tool; and serve the local church and community through athletic events and training.
SHARE YOUR NEED: People are not likely to support you unless they are aware you have a need. Personal contact, whenever possible, is the most effective means of communication. One thing to remember is that the more personal you can be the better. Relationship is the key. As you share your vision and needs with others, commit yourself to seeing their needs met as well. Look for ways to serve and bless them. Your motivation must not be, “What can I get?” but “What can I give?” Begin by calling and setting up appointments with those you feel are interested in what you are preparing to do. Ask God to show you those He would have you contact. Be sure to have some information regarding on hand to share with them. As you share, remember that God is your provider. Do not make people feel responsible for your needs. Most likely, they already feel weighed down by their own needs and responsibilities. Giving should be a blessing for them, not a burden.
PRACTICAL THINGS TO DO: In obeying God, we must be willing to make sacrifices ourselves. Sometimes God wants to see “just how willing” we are to obey Him. Many have earned money for their tuition and expenses by selling their cars, furniture, stereos, etc. The rich young ruler was willing to serve God in a deeper way until Jesus asked him to sell his possessions. We must be willing to ask God if there are any possessions He would have us sell, and we must be willing to obey.
May you be encouraged and have the faith to step out into what the Lord wants you to do!!
TEAM LEADER INFORMATION
We understand you may not yet have all this information, or that plans may change. However, it is good that we have this information as soon as possible! Thanks for your help!
You may send the information by mail to:
Tennis Ministry International
Uptown Plaza
Flat F, 19th Floor, Block 5
Tai Po, NT
Hong Kong
Based on what you know right now:
1. If you know your flight schedule, please complete the following:
Airline name Flight # Date/Time (in Colombo, Sri Lanka)
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
2. In addition to sports training/competitions, what kinds of ministry are you interested in? Do you have skills in the areas of drama and/or music (We are always in need of worship leaders)? Are you prepared to give your testimony and/or lead a time of sharing?
3. How can we be praying for you specifically? (For example, any difficulties preparing for the trip or in raising finances? Is there good support/communication between you and your family/church/etc. regarding your trip? etc.)
4. If you have or are currently a member of an athletic team, please let us know what position you play and what level of competition you are involved in. (If you play on a tennis team, what position? If you are ranked in your region, what is your ranking?) Do you have coaching experience in any tennis?
Training Base Program
Sri Lanka Arrival Information
(Please bring this sheet with you to refer
to if needed)
Sri Lanka- Airport
1. A valid passport is required for you to be admitted into Sri Lanka (if your passport is going to expire in six months or less, please make sure you obtain a new one before you come). If you are coming from the US and you are not a US citizen, you need to bring your green card with you. Please check with your travel agent to see if you need a visa, the cost and the length of time to receive it once you apply. Each country is different and has different requirements for different nationalities. The easiest way is to check on the Internet or to consult a travel agent.
2. On your arrival card, you will need to fill in the following information:
local address:
phone:
reason for visit: tourist
3. At the immigration counter, you may be asked how long you plan to stay. The customs officers do not want people to seek employment in Sri Lanka. If they suspect anyone of seeking local employment, they may deport him/her immediately. You should request a tourist visa, preferably one that will last until your departure date [they may ask to see your return ticket to verify]. More than likely, immigration will give you a three-month tourist visa and if needed, you can apply to extend your visa at a later time. If they ask any further questions, tell them that we will be taking care of you during your visit. We haven't had many problems, so relax and be yourself.
4. Before or after you go through immigration, look for the free tourist information bags that are usually on display (make sure to get the English language copy). These contain maps and other items you might find useful.
5. Once you have cleared customs, follow signs to the greeting area where our enthusiastic staff will be waiting to meet you. If you come out into the greeting area and do not see our sign, wait.
6. ONLY CHANGE $20 U.S. AT THE AIRPORT, if you must! You can change your money for a much better rate at a later time.
7. Beware of pickpockets. Don't leave your bags unattended.
8. REMEMBER It might be a good idea to put the money aside with your passport at the beginning of your stay here for anything last minute at the airport upon your departure, and thus save one more hassle at the end of your trip. Please check with your travel agent to see if the airport has a departure tax.