An Ovation of a Different Kind
Dear Champions,
The short excerpt was forwarded to me by my sister-in law, Cathy Vining, and it was written by Gainesville, GA East Hall assistant boys basketball coach, Gary Gaddy.
Just wanted to share with you an event that took place Friday night in Rabun County, GA. East Hall and Rabun County were locked in a region battle when something unbelievable happened. A Rabun County player was seriously injured when he landed awkwardly. It quickly became apparent that he had suffered a compound leg fracture. As his family gathered around him, so did his coaching staff as well as East Hall Coach Joe Dix. Several minutes went by as they waited for the paramedics to arrive. As the player grew restless and time seemed to creep by, Sterling Bailey, an East Hall basketball player and UGA football recruit, walked over and asked the family if he could pray for the injured player. As he knelt down to pray, both teams came together to surround the player and his family. As the crowd began to see what was happening, the packed gym fell silent, and you could seriously hear a pin drop. Sterling led hundreds in a prayer that could be heard from anywhere in that huge gym. Even the paramedics, who arrived at the beginning of the prayer, stopped in their tracks and joined in. When he finished praying, the entire gym closed it out with a resounding AMEN followed by an ovation that would make you think someone had hit a game winning shot.
The injured player s family embraced Sterling and thanked him for his wonderful and Godly gesture. I had the honor of witnessing this amazing event and will never forget it. I am overjoyed to see our athletes doing exactly what God calls them to do.
Sterling Bailey (East Hall High School) is an FCA leader and has participated in several FCA Camps and events while playing football and basketball and will be attending UGA next fall on a football scholarship. From the FCA website, FCA values Integrity (Proverbs 11:3 demonstrating Christ-like wholeness, privately, and publicly), Serving (John 13:1-17 model Jesus example of serving), Teamwork (Philippians 2:1-4 express our unity in Christ in all our relationships.) and Excellence (Colossians 3:23-24 honor and glorify God in all we do).
Champions, have a great week!-David Vining
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