Welcome to my journal for our International Christian Tennis Association mission trip to Cincinnati, Ohio during the Cincinnati Master's Series ATP tournament. That's me on the right! I'm standing with a new ICTA member who is both a Reverend and a PH.D. and looks forward to working with us to grow God's Kingdom.
I am honored to be in this beautiful area again for the 2nd year in a row serving God as He leads.
The Cincinnati Master's is simply one of the finest managed professional tennis events in the world. Players, fans, media, and exhibitors (me!) all look forward to coming each year! If you live in the heartland of America and can attend just one event this year... I highly recommend you come here with us!
I'll locate some "blogtime" each day to keep you updated. Internet time is hard to come by with our busy schedule, but knowing our web site home page is now receiving at times up to 800 hits per day (up from 5 hits per week in 2003:)... with up to 15,000 page views per week... well, that gets me pretty excited and motivated to write in my journal.
This mission trip began months ago with financial preparation, supplies logistics, and manpower needs. 100's of hours of prep time followed by 100's of hours of volunteer work make International Christian Tennis Association mission trips happen.
We left Palm Coast last Thursday to drive to Birmingham, Alabama. Birmingham is about 1/2 way to Cincy. We all stayed the night with a ministry friend/mentor of mine. He and his wife took us out to eat and gave us a welcome night's rest in their house. After breakfast we all played tennis and had a great time before we headed back out on the road to Cincy.
On Saturday we arrived in Cincy after 3 days on the road. We stayed the night at a friend's house before checking into our hotel. Sunday, we visited the tournament site, received our credentials, checked the booth, then headed over to King's Island where everyone rode a bunch of roller coaster rides till dark! Fun time! We all are allowed in King's Island Amusement park for free while we are here.
We are all very tired, but glad we made it here safely and grateful God is using us to reach people for Him. This week will be full of very special Kingdom work and I look forward to the adventures ahead.
Please keep us in your prayers.
God bless!
Scott Paschal
Christian Tennis Nut
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