This past June I was able to visit the country of Pakistan to launch my
book, “The First 10 Runs in Singles” in both English and Urdu, and to host
several events pertaining to the book in Lahore and Karachi: two leadership
seminars, two T10 Cricket Tournaments, and speaking at a church service
in Karachi. “The First 10 Runs in Singles” was written on life and
leadership lessons taken from the game of cricket; it is a book that
simultaneously inspires and educates its reader! This material and
teachings from the book will help to build the capacity and capability of
local leaders so that they may continue to tackle the adversity in their lives
and to use those tools to build these strengths in others.
I would like to share with everyone an inspiring accomplishment from my
Pakistan trip. After the success of the two T10 tournaments, our team
found the Micah Cricket Club in Karachi, Pakistan with the goal of bringing
together the local community to continue to build upon the life and
leadership lessons, as well as provide fellowship and inspiration to the
community.
The name for this cricket club was inspired by an abbreviation of a verse in
the Bible, Micah 6:8 which says to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”
Along with forming the cricket club, I have motivated each player to read
my book, “The First Ten Runs in Singles”, in hopes of having them grow
their spiritual life with God as well as develop leadership skills. The Micah
Cricket Club will give the players an opportunity to practice the strategies of
the game. I am proud to report that the Micah Cricket Club continues to
practice and grow, practicing several times a week and even winning their
first match! In addition to growing the Micah Cricket Club, our local
Pakistan SamT ambassadors have continued to spread the lessons from
“The First 10 Runs in Singles” to several local church communities,
presenting them with copies of the book in both English and Urdu.
I believe that cricket has a unique way of connecting and empowering
people- the sport is challenging, but very rewarding. I hope to continue
educating and inspiring young people to look beyond just the logistics and
rules of the sport, but to also gather life lessons that will strengthen
themselves and their community. My hope is that as Micah Cricket Club
continues to expand and grow the book and lessons from will serve as a
resource that will strengthen these players and motivate them to lift up
those around them.
One of my main goals for the SamT Network has been reaching people
who are in need of the message of hope, resiliency, and faith; particularly in
regions such as the Middle East, where many people from South East Asia
travel looking for work. Through educational and social programs, I believe
in building leaders within the community. By empowering these leaders with
education, they are able to work as a community towards overcoming
extreme poverty and social and economic stigmas. By providing continued
education to the population, these leaders and the lessons of faith they
teach will continue to grow throughout Pakistan for many years to come.
The need of the hour is to teach young people the skills that they need in
order to achieve their God-given potential. I look forward to challenging
new leaders to change their actions and behaviors, and to pass these life
and leadership lessons on to build a stronger community in Pakistan.